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!

The ups and downs of skiing with the kids

Ski Santa Fe's base lodge is at 10,350 feet and it is only up from there; the carful of kids live at 500 feet at home. So we spend the first day of vacation taking it easy in the town of Santa Fe (elevation 7,260 feet), checking out the sights before we head up to the ski resort. We don't want to be sluggish and short of breath on the slopes.

The carful of kids love the snow and we have a successful first day of skiing at Ski Santa Fe and topped it off with some New Mexican food at Tomasita's before calling it a day.

I know the symptoms of altitude sickness because of my experience as a flight attendant. Water really helps in the dry mountain air but it is cold out and the kids resist drinking water and Gatorade.

In the middle of the night, I start feeling icky. As I sit in bed staring at the ceiling, I realize that I drank Dr. Pepper instead of the prescribed water or Gatorade. Sometimes I should listen to my own advice; I sit up, grab some water and start sipping.

The next to fall is the middle child.  He picks at his breakfast and by the time we get to the ski resort, he's puking. After talking with the Ski Patrol, I take him to the cafeteria to sit and drink. In a few minutes, like magic, the middle child has his color back and is back to his bouncy self.

He is ready to conquer the mountain and move on to the blue runs! He's 8 and has more nerve than body weight. I make a deal and he agrees to a lesson.

My daughter, 10, is not going to be outdone by her little brother. She's ready to take on a blue run too but she routinely bombs the mountain. I convince her to take another lesson so she can learn to control her speed.

With the carful of kids in lessons, I have a little time to enjoy the postcard-perfect day and ski down a gentle, green run.  I don't have anything to prove--I'm here to enjoy myself, not injure myself!

Drinking water after every run, we have good day on the mountain and everyone feels great. Before you know it, it's time to pack up and call it a day.

We grab some burgers at Blake's LotaBurger, a New Mexican hamburger chain.  Serving up hamburgers since 1952, the carful of kids love it.

We make it back to the Best Western and then the kids decide it is time to go swimming.  How can you have the energy to go swimming after a full day of skiing?

Ski Santa Fe--My Favorite Family Ski Resort

Take a moment for a family picture.

The carful of kids attack the Sangre de Cristo Mountains at Ski Santa Fe for three days. This is my new favorite ski resort for families.

There are several reasons I like Ski Santa Fe. It is close to Texas, our home base, so I can fill up the SUV and drive there. It is located just 16 miles from downtown Santa Fe, which offers lots of dining and lodging options. The lift tickets are more affordable compared to Colorado or Tahoe, love it there but multiple days of skiing is tough on the family budget.

How we hang at La Casa Lodge.

They have several great runs for beginners and novices, most of them in the sun, and their staff is knowledgeable and friendly. They expanded and renovated their La Casa Lodge recently as well.

La Casa Lodge, easy to navigate with ski boots on, has all the things you need--a grab-and-go cafeteria, plenty of seating, walls of lockers and a ski shop. The rental area is roomy and doesn't have that nasty locker room smell that you get at some resorts.

New Mexico Highway 475 up to Ski Santa Fe

The road up to Ski Santa Fe is luxurious compared to some of the roads I've driven. NM Highway 475 is wide, nicely paved, frequently plowed and has plenty of guard rails. Never once have I felt like I'm about to skid off the mountain.

If a Mom from Texas can feel safe, you can too.

The vibe is super mellow at Ski Santa Fe. Everyone is out to enjoy the snow and you never feel like you are at an alpine fashion show.

The resort caters to families during the holiday breaks--everyone from snow-suited babies to Grandmas sipping coffee. The base lodge lacks a bar, great for the carful of kids but disappointing for the apres-ski crowd.

My youngest heading down his first green run with his ski instructor. 

I am a firm believer in ski lessons for all ages. It seems putting on their boots is enough of a challenge for me.

It's the best choice for your children so they will love to ski or snowboard. The instructors are accomplished skiers or snow boarders and are extremely patient with the little ones.

Remember this is suppose to be FUN.

Snow Selfie. Ski School is a fun and easy way to get the kids loving the sport.

I made reservations for my youngest, 5, at the Chipmunk Corner for two days (a necessity over Christmas Break). He skied last year at Lake Tahoe and didn't really like it. I'm not discouraged--I will stay upbeat and hope for the best.

The Chipmunk Corner has its own conveyor belt ski lift and fenced off area. That means the kids will never leave the ground and out-of-control adults will never run over them. The day will cost you $135, but that includes the ski rentals, a helmet, snacks, a hot lunch and lots of opportunity to ski (8:30 to 4:30).

Loving the atmosphere at Ski Santa Fe. 

The check-in process is a breeze; I smear sunscreen on his face right before I kiss it. He will be busy for the day while I get the other two up and going.

When I pick up my youngest up at the end of the day, he's grinning ear-to-ear and says he loves to go fast. No tears and we didn't have a melt down while I try to cram on his boots. Sometimes that's worth a little extra money.

The other kids, 8 and 10, follow me to another conveyor belt lift to practice and warm up. It has been a year since the carful of kids have been on the snow.

After a few runs there, the carful of kids are ready to jump on the ski lift--the lift operators are super patient and will slow down the lift so a Mom and a couple of kids can get on safely--love that.

Taking a break before another run.

The carful of kids spend the day on the slopes and enjoy the postcard weather--light wind, clear skies and temperatures in low 40s. Can't get any better than this, it doesn't even feel cold.

Next time you want to take the family skiing for the holiday, check out Ski Santa Fe.