Sledding at the Big Tesuque Campground in the Santa Fe National Forest

On the final day in Santa Fe, the carful of kids decide that they want to play in the snow. We have hauled the Radio Flyer sled, LL Bean toboggan and a Sno-baller from Texas and we are determined to use them.

I know there is a small parking area down the mountain from Ski Santa Fe and decide to try there.  It's the Big Tesuque Campground in the Santa Fe National Forest on Highway 475, 12 miles from downtown Santa Fe.

Racing down the hill in the Big Tesuque Campground in the Santa Fe National Forest

The carful of kids are pleasantly surprised when we get here. There's a vault toilet that is still open--a nice bonus when you are traveling with a carful of kids and a picnic table that is not completely covered in snow plus some trashcans. I have everything we need for a day of snow play and a snow picnic!

Remember the carful of kids are from Central Texas, we don't get snow like this. It's white, fluffy and covers everything in sight--it's kid magic. My carful of kids can play for hours in near freezing temperatures with no whining!

We spend a lot of time in the snow, water proofing helps keep us dirty.

The first thing the carful of kids do is try our hand at sledding. The kids don't even balk when I make them put on their helmets--we are in a grove of trees and I don't want any head injuries.

Off they head down the hill, with glee on their faces; first trying the sled and then the toboggan.  According to our non-scientific study, the sled is faster, the toboggan is more comfortable with its padding.

I give sledding a try and it is FUN!

My daughter lies down and samples some snow.

After a few good runs, I head to the SUV and pull out the picnic supplies. The picnic table is in the sun so I make some peanut butter sandwiches, chips and cookies for lunch.

The carful of kids are full but a little cold now; that's when I hand out the hand and toe warmers. Problem solved, we are good to go for another hour or so.

There are other children sledding but they are wet, cold, and whining. Not us--we have on our ski pants, snow boots, hats, scarves and good water-repellent gloves, not to mention the layers of clothes on underneath. The carful of kids hate to be cold.

We have a great day playing in the snow and with a little planning, you can too. Did I mention that the Santa Fe National Forest area is FREE!