There's a particular sound a canyon makes the morning after a snowfall. Nothing. No traffic, no wind in the pines, just a hush so deep you can hear a sled runner hiss across fresh powder from a hundred yards away. And then, inevitably, a shriek of laughter.
When snow falls in Pecos Canyon, our 12 private acres turn into something close to a private sledding park. There's no admission, no lift line, and no hunting for a parking spot at a crowded public hill. You step outside your cabin, pick a slope, and go.
A fresh slope, a clear morning, and nobody else in line.
A Hill for Every Kind of Sledder
The property has a few different hills, which turns out to be the secret to a good family snow day.
For the little ones, there's a gentle slope that's just right for toddlers and younger kids. It's long enough to feel like an adventure and mellow enough that a parent can walk alongside. It's also the spot where the smallest guests usually end up abandoning the sled altogether to sit in the snow and inspect it, one mittenful at a time.
For the more adventurous, there are a couple of steeper slopes. These are the ones older kids (and more than a few parents) keep climbing back up for "one more run," until somebody notices the sun dipping behind the canyon wall.
Some sledders are in it for speed. Some are in it for the snow itself.
Sleds Are Here. Just Bring Warm Layers.
You don't need to pack a sled. We keep a few on the property for guests to use, from round saucers to classic red sleds. Ask when you arrive and we'll point you to them, along with the best hill for your crew.
The red sled has seen a lot of runs.
What you will want to bring is the gear that keeps a snow day fun instead of soggy:
Pack for a Snow Day
- Waterproof snow pants or bibs (jeans get wet fast)
- Insulated, waterproof boots
- Waterproof gloves or mittens, plus a spare pair
- Warm hats and a neck gaiter or scarf
- Sunglasses or goggles, because sun on snow at 7,700 feet is bright
- Hot cocoa supplies for when everyone comes back inside
Sledding is at your own risk. Check your run for rocks, stumps, and trees before the first ride, go feet-first, and keep a close eye on little ones, especially on the steeper slopes.
About That Snow
Here's the honest part: snow in Pecos Canyon is a gift, not a guarantee. A storm can leave a beautiful blanket one week and nothing the next. The good news is that our snow tends to melt off the roads fairly quickly while lingering on the hills, so it's often the best of both worlds: easier driving, and still plenty of powder for sledding.
The Ponderosa Main Lodge and the trout pond after a winter storm. Lovely to look at; please admire the ice from the bank.
If a snow day is the whole point of your trip, keep an eye on the forecast as your dates approach. The live weather widget on our homepage shows current conditions right here in the canyon. And if you're hoping for even more snow, Ski Santa Fe is about an hour away for a day on the mountain.
Coming Back In
The best part of a snow day might be the end of it. Boots by the door, mittens drying, cheeks pink, and everyone piled near the warmth. The Aspen Elevated Cabin has its grand stone fireplace, Crestview and the Ponderosa Lodge have wood-burning stoves, and the Ponderosa's radiant floors make padding around in socks feel like a small luxury.
The view from the Ponderosa deck the morning after a storm.
Then there's the quiet again. Step out onto the deck after dark and the canyon is silver under the stars, the hills you spent all day on lying still and blue. Tomorrow, if the snow holds, you'll do it all again.
The kind of snow-day memory that sticks around long after the snow melts.
Plan Your Winter Escape
Six stays on 12 private acres in the Santa Fe National Forest, with sledding hills just outside the door when the snow falls.
Check Winter Availability →