Special Rates for Staying at Rancho Jacona In January, February and April

Special Winter Rates : we reduce our off season prices by yet another 20%

Even Better Rates for Two Week Stays: we reduce our off season rates by 20%

Snow in the Mountains Above Us

2009 has started off in the mountains above us with a 40 imch base before Christmas.
That will just be increasing.

Our three nearby ski areas: Pajarito, Ski Santa Fe and Sipapu all offer reat damily rates andfine ski experiences. Human friendly -not crowded. Taos is further - up to 80 to 90 minute drive. Santa Fe Ski Area details >

Down here in the Rio Grande Valley, we stay warm in the bright, low sun/

What Is It Like in Santa Fe in the Winter

Here in the valley of the Rio Grande, December brings us bright, low light, chilly nights and days that are warm in the sun but chilly out of it.

We always find that Santa Fe welcomes its guests even more over this season and because of the many fewer people in town than during the summer months, the galleries and restaurants have that much more time to take care of their guests.

This year the skiing is in excellent condition - perhaps the best that we've seen in a decade

Pajarito Ski Area, which is a 35 minute drive across the valley of the Rio Grande, up past Los Alamos, and into the higher Jemez mountains.

The mountains have a fine base cover of 40 inches - we can see the white cap from here down in the valley.

3 Ski Areas within an hour
And a great Cross Country Set of Trails

Pajarito ski mountain is just 30 minutes from us and we can see it from the back meadow to the west. For up to the minute information on Pajarito, go here > http://www.skipajarito.com

For up to the minute ski conditions, please go here > http://www.skipajarito.com/snowreport.htm

The ski area is excellent for families, with a warm, close feel about it. Passes for adults are $49, Teens $40, Children $31, Senior $40. Lessons and rentals are similarly reasonable for a whole family.

Cross Country Skiing at Pajarito

Right next to Pajarito is an excellent set of groomed trails, great views, and many miles to trek. The trails that branch out from Pajarito with journeys through forest, meadows, and ridges. For more cross country information, go here > http://www.swnordicski.org/

Sipapu Ski Area

This family ski area is about an hour north of us in the Sangre de Cristo and it is in fine shape with all 4 lifts open on a base of 32 to 43 inches. The drive up there is a treat with ancient churches, small native villages tucked in valleys, wooden viaducts, artist ateliers, and rich green (and white, now) valleys and peaks. You drive there on the old road to Taos, which is just another 40 minutes drive from Sipapu ski area. Rates for '09 are the most affrdable in the area: Adult $30, Teen $34, Child $29, Senior $27 and Free if over 69.
For Sipapu details, go here > http://www.sipapunm.com/Mountain/SnowReport.asp

Ski Santa Fe

Ski Santa Fe is nestled high in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains just 16 miles from the heart of historic Santa Fe, New Mexico. With a base area elevation of 10,350 feet, Ski Santa Fe is among the highest ski areas in the continental United States. Our New Millennium Triple Chairlift will take snow sport enthusiasts to a new height of 12,075 feet and some of the southwest's finest skiing. The vistas atop Ski Santa Fe are unsurpassed and act as the gateway for thrills including steep bump runs, powder filled chutes, gladed tree-skiing, and plenty of groomers. Ski Santa Fe is family oriented, but those seeking a challenge can find their place on our mountain. Rates for '09: Adult $58, Teen $46, Child $40, Senior $40. For Ski Santa Fe details. go here > http://www.skisantafe.com

Taos Ski areas - ther are two of them and the drive is between 90 to 100 minutes.
Details: http://www.skitaos.org

Back in the Valley

Back here, at Rancho Jacona, the sun is shining and there is no hope of the snow staying with us when we are seeing the usual 50 degree daytime temperatures with 65 degrees in the sun. That is what the Santa Fe sun brings us.

On Christmas and the following days, many of the pueblos will be having their traditional animal dances. Here is a calendar of the dances> http://www.santaana.org/calendar.htm.

Following in the Spanish vein of our cultures here, on Christmas Eve, the Santa Fe plaza is alight with thousands of luminarias. Cider is served, carols are sung and groups celebrate through the eve.

Pets for the Holidays

As always we welcome pets as valued members of the family. The holidays without them? No thanks.

Special Winter Rates : we reduce our off season prices by yet another 20%
And Even Better Rates for Two Week Stays: we reduce our off season rates by 40%

We appreciate our gentle winters here with the bright sun low on the horizon and we welcome guests to stay with us for long sojourns. Therefore, Rancho Jacona has attractive rates so as to enable friends to stay with us for 2 or more weeks - 40% off the "off season" rates.

There is a slow, a welcoming pace to Santa Fe during these months of shorter days.

Guests Ask Us, "What is Santa Fe like in the winter?"

As we mentioned at the start, Santa Fe welcomes its guests even more over this season. Because there are so many fewer people in town than during the summer months, the galleries and restaurants have that much more time to take care of their guests.

ARTfeast Festival February 22 - 25:
gallery openings and special gastronomic dinners, house art tours, brunches and edible art -- over 4 days

These four days celebrate and combine our art and gastronomic cultures. The art galleries and restaurants pool skills and resources to show off their arts as a partnership. ARTFeast is a series of happenings that blend the best of the city's aesthetic and epicurean offerings. Stroll the galleries along the Plaza and Canyon Road, savor the offerings of local restaurants, dive into homes for more art and food.

Then, there are the usual art talks, gallery shows, plays, and music. You can find a list of them here > http://www.sitesantafe.org/lecturesandevents/lecturesandeventsfr.html