Albuquerque offers abundant opportunities to enjoy winter sports. Fortunately, there are some snow sports that don’t include lessons, making it much easier to get out and about in the snow. Snowshoes are a great way to exercise and get outside without a lot of fuss. If you can walk, you can snowshoe.
Four high-altitude mountain ranges lie within 100 miles of Albuquerque: Jemez, Manzano, Sandias, and Sangre de Cristos. The closest is the Sandia mountain range. Snowshoeing at nearby Sandias provides great family fun in a safe and relaxed environment. There are many trails to choose from to walk through the snow with special shoes. Las Sandias is a short drive east of Albuquerque, and there are 14 snowshoe / backcountry trails ranging from short half-mile hikes to a 26.5-mile long.
All trails are within the Sandia Ranger District of the Cibola National Forest.
Directions to Las Sandias
Take I-40 East to the Cedar Crest Exit. Take NM 14 North to NM 536, Sandia Crest Scenic Highway, the highest scenic route in the Southwest. The eastern slopes of Sandias provide a stark contrast to the rugged and mountainous western slopes. The evergreens and the panoramic view make the trip in itself a pleasure.
Where to snowshoe in Albuquerque
Snowshoe trails vary in length and can be found along the scenic byway (NM 536). Find the correct distance and find your starting point on a map. Then take off for the winter adventure.
The Kiwanis Cabin Trail is 0.5 miles long and begins at the Crest House Visitor Center trailhead and ends at the Kiwanis Cabin.
The Capulin Snow Trail is 1.5 km long and begins at the Capulin Snow Playground.
Longer trails include the Challenge Snow Trail, which is 4.1 miles long and begins at Sandia Peak Ski Base, ending at Ellis Th. There is also a 10-mile Snow Trail, which is 4.9 miles long. It starts at Crest 130 and ends at Jct Crest 130 and Tree Spring 147.
The longest trail in Sandias is the Crest Snow trail. It begins at the Tunnel Spring Trailhead and ends at the Canyon Estates Trailhead, and is 26.5 miles long.
Snowshoe trails
- Capulin Peak Snow Trail, 0.6 millas
- Capulin Snow Trail, 0.9 millas
- Challenge Snow Trail, 4.1 millas
- 10k Snow Trail, 4.9 millas
- Crest Snow Trail, 26.5 millas
- Ellis Snow Trail, 2.7 millas
- Gravel Pit Snow Trail, 0.8 millas
- Kiwanis Cabin Snow Trail, 0.5 millas
- Nine Mile Snow Trail, 1.2 millas
- Oso Corredor Snow Trail, 2.7 millas
- Rocky Point Snow Trail, 0.7 millas
- Service Road Snow Trail, 0.9 millas
- Survey Snow Trail, 2.7 millas
- Switchback Snow Trail, 1.7 millas
- Tree Spring Snow Trail, 2 millas
If you’re up for a bit of a drive for snowshoeing, Valles Caldera National Reserve in the Jemez Mountains offers pristine, tranquil scenery for snowshoeing. Cross-country skiing is popular there too. It is possible to explore on a groomed trail or in the interior of the country. Most of the trails in the reserves can be explored on snowshoes. Be sure to wear waterproof boots and consider waterproof pants. The poles help with balance. Be sure to speak with the park rangers before leaving to make sure you know which trails are open.
Seasonal conditions vary in the reserve, with some winters providing more snow than others. Snowshoes generally last from mid-November to mid-March.
Get your own snowshoes
Snowshoes can be rented at Routes, Rentals & Tours and REI in Albuquerque. But if you want to walk in the snow on a regular basis, having your own snowshoes is the way to go. Click on the link to see what’s available to everyone in your family. Either location will also provide good advice on where to snowshoe and how to enjoy your excursion.
You should also learn about the Sandia Peak Snowshoe Race, which takes place in January each year.
