Valles Caldera National Preserve
Los Alamos, New Mexico

Cross Country skiing and snowshoeing activities will be available north of New Mexico Highway 4 on Valles Caldera National Preserve on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays between December 29 and April 1. For folks interested in staying overnight, there are weekend stays available in yurts in the back country of the Preserve. Everything north of NM 4 requires day-use permits.

Overnight skiing is a lottery-based opportunity. Lottery tickets are $5 each. Winners get to pay $180 per night for up to three nights with up to 6 people in one yurt or both (there are 2 yurts, see the map below). The yurts are comfortable and contain everything you might need except sleeping bags, clothes, food and personal effects. You can buy as many lottery tickets as you want but of the 11 weekends available this winter, you can only win once.

The Coyote Call Trail and surrounding area south of New Mexico Highway 4 are open, free of charge, every day during daylight hours. There are usually three free skiing days scheduled on the trails of the Preserve, from 9 AM to 3 PM (the list hasn't been updated since 2006). When there is enough snow on the ground, there's almost 24,000 acres open to skiing and snowshoeing.

This is an area where snowfall can be very heavy at times. Only 4WD or vehicles with chains can drive the 2 miles north of NM Highway 4 to the Valles Caldera Check In/Out and Staging Area. The road is plowed and snow-packed but is north-facing and can be very icy, especially during windy times. Traveling anywhere in this area you'll want water, extra food, blankets and plenty of gas in your car. In a white-out situation, stay with your car.