I have a wife and a 12 yo daughter that ski occasionally but I would like them to ski better and more. I realized that as much as I want, I cannot forced to go skiing.

This is my thinking and the wife is on board with this, go to an area that offers good ski lessons, maybe 3 days worth maybe more, and has extra curricular activities besides skiing. I know this doesn't quite narrow it down.

I was thinking maybe out west in New Mexico. Maybe Santa Fe. The town seems to be neat and with the Pueblo and native Americans experience, that could be an added plus. New cuisine, etc. Taos could be a little too much for them.

I am trying to combine ski instruction, skiing and visiting a new area for historical and/or learning opportunities.

Me and the wife went to Grey Rocks back in the late eighties and we had a blast. Sort of a cruise on a mountain. I don't know of any other resorts like this and I think they have closed. Maybe something similar.

Lots of thoughts in the air but not sure where to look for. Any recommendations? Of course, we need to watch our expenses and money

Thinking about Angel Fire Resort in New Mexico.

Has anybody been there before?

It is close to Taos and Santa Fe

I'd highly recommend the ski weeks at Taos. Two hour group lessons every morning and during discount periods, dirt cheap. It was $99 for the week when I went last January and everyone agreed it was the best ski trip of their lives.

It starts by asking you to select the regular or "aggressive" side then grouping people after a quick ski off. I was in a level 7 or 8 aggressive and skiing all kinds of steeps and trees (many not on the map). My wife was in a level 5 or 6 aggressive which just meant less steep, but still included trees. Parents were on the regular side. Much tamer terrain. They'll pretty much cater to whatever you're looking for.

The instructors are great. They'd usually split the time between drills and what amounted to a guided tour of all the hidden gems on the mountain.

Did you find a martini tree?

Would you believe it was empty when we got there? Damn lushes in my parents group!

Been there done that Got the T-Shirt...That was what I was wearing because it was mid June!..Actually, I THINK I have been there..Is that Mtn called Sierra Blanca? If we are talkin the same Mtn it is a way South of Taos...Watch out for the Apaches (large Reservation there)...Unless they are smokin the peace pipe!

Angel Fire is in northern NM. Sierra Blanca (or Ski Apache - it changed names 15 years ago but I can't recall which is which) is way down south on the Mexican border. Taos is one of my favorites but it is pretty much a hard core place. Santa Fe is quite good but overrun with mobs of Texans, while the expert terrain, which is very good, is neglected. The town of Santa Fe is great, but pricey. Pajarito, Los Alamos' local hill, is very good. That's all the NM skiing I have done. Angel Fire gets good reviews, especially from families but I have not been there.

Thanks to curih's lead, I checked out Taos and luckily the week that we are going is the last week of the season. Yes, Taos is closing on 4/4 regardless of much snow they have or do not have.

They have the same January $99 week lesson special because it is the last week of the season. Two hours of lessons in the morning from Sun - Friday. I have a feeling it might be semi-private lessons... but I am only guessing.

The Sierra del Sol condos (across the road) is also having specials for lodging and lift tickets.

So now I need to calculate and add up all of the expenses. I am little worried though, it is going up pretty fast