15 Magical Things to Do in New Mexico This Winter

When winter settles over New Mexico, the desert slows down, the air turns crisp, and the skies seem even bigger. The red rocks glow at sunset, snow dusts adobe rooftops, and hot springs steam in the cold mountain air. It’s a season of contrasts warm light, cool nights, and endless peace.

Whether you’re chasing snow in Taos, art in Santa Fe, or hot chile stew in Albuquerque, winter in New Mexico feels like stepping into a living painting bright, soulful, and full of wonder.

Here are 15 things to do in January and beyond that’ll make you fall in love with this desert winter.

Highlights of Visiting New Mexico

1. Hit the Slopes in Taos

The Taos Ski Valley is one of the Southwest’s best-kept secrets world-class runs surrounded by adobe villages and mountain peaks. Whether you ski, snowboard, or just sip cocoa by the lodge fire, Taos turns winter into pure magic.

2. Soak in Hot Springs Under the Stars

Few things feel better than slipping into a steaming New Mexico hot spring when the air is cool and the stars are blazing. Try Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs north of Santa Fe or Truth or Consequences Hot Springs for a peaceful soak surrounded by desert silence.

3. Explore Santa Fe’s Winter Art Scene

Snow on adobe that’s Santa Fe in winter. The Santa Fe Plaza sparkles with lights, galleries stay cozy and full of life, and the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum offers inspiration on cold days. Browse Canyon Road, warm up with green chile stew, and feel the city’s creative heartbeat even in the quiet season.

4. See the White Sands Dunes After Snowfall

In White Sands National Park, winter brings cooler temperatures and sometimes even a dusting of real snow over the gypsum dunes a sight that feels like another world. You can sled, hike, or simply wander through the glowing landscape as the sun sets over the desert.

5. Drive the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

Winter makes the Enchanted Circle an 83-mile loop through Taos, Red River, and Eagle Nest especially breathtaking. Snowy peaks, pine forests, and frozen lakes make every curve of the road feel cinematic. Bring a camera and take your time; this is New Mexico at its dreamiest.

6. Visit the Albuquerque Balloon Museum

While the famous Balloon Fiesta happens in October, winter is the perfect time to visit the Anderson-Abruzzo Albuquerque International Balloon Museum. Learn about flight, see stunning balloon art, and, if you’re lucky, spot a few brave pilots drifting across the winter sky.

7. Go Stargazing in the Desert

New Mexico’s night skies are legendary. Bundle up and head to Chaco Culture National Historical Park, City of Rocks State Park, or the Valles Caldera for some of the best stargazing in the country. You’ll see more stars than you knew existed.

8. Step Into History in Old Town Albuquerque

In winter, Old Town Albuquerque slows down but doesn’t lose its charm. Wander through narrow adobe-lined streets, sip hot chocolate from a café, and shop for handwoven blankets or turquoise jewelry without the summer crowds.

9. Visit Ghost Ranch in Abiquiú

Famous as Georgia O’Keeffe’s muse, Ghost Ranch is a striking landscape of red cliffs, mesas, and high desert light. In winter, it’s quiet and peaceful perfect for hiking, photography, or just reflecting on the stillness.

10. Take a Winter Hike in Bandelier National Monument

Bandelier’s ancient cliff dwellings and canyon trails are beautiful year-round, but in winter, they take on a serene, almost spiritual calm. The cool air and quiet trails make it one of the most peaceful hiking spots in the state.

11. Try a Bowl of Hatch Green Chile Stew

Cold days call for comfort food, and in New Mexico, that means green chile stew spicy, hearty, and unforgettable. Stop by a local diner or family restaurant in Santa Fe or Las Cruces for a bowl that warms you from the inside out.

12. Ride the Sandia Peak Tramway

The Sandia Peak Tramway in Albuquerque climbs nearly three miles up to breathtaking winter views. At the top, you can snowshoe, hike, or simply enjoy the panorama of snowy mountains meeting desert floor.

13. Discover Roswell’s Quirky Side

Yes, it’s cold in Roswell, but that doesn’t stop the fun. Visit the International UFO Museum, take alien-themed photos, and grab a warm drink from a local café. It’s part sci-fi, part Americana, and 100% unique.

14. Celebrate Winter With Local Traditions

New Mexico’s mix of Native, Hispanic, and frontier cultures makes for rich winter traditions from Feast Days in Pueblo communities to Christmas luminarias that glow along adobe walls into January. Even after the holidays, the light still feels sacred.

15. Stay Cozy in a Casita With a Fireplace

There’s nothing quite like curling up beside a kiva fireplace in an adobe home while snow falls outside. Many Santa Fe and Taos rentals come with wood-burning fireplaces, thick blankets, and mountain views everything you need for a slow, soulful winter evening.

Experience a New Mexico Winter With HomeExchange

Winter in New Mexico isn’t just about sights it’s about moments. The sound of a crackling fire, the taste of green chile on cold nights, the silence of desert stars. And with HomeExchange, you can live those moments like a local.

Swap homes and stay in a cozy adobe near Santa Fe’s galleries, a mountain retreat in Taos, or a desert hideaway near Truth or Consequences. You’ll wake up to frosty mornings and warm hospitality, discovering the real rhythm of the Land of Enchantment.

Because in New Mexico, winter doesn’t mean slowing down it means seeing the magic more clearly.