By Jo Mixon, Executive Director, Angel Fire Chamber of Commerce
Once the Labor Day week-end has ended, summer is almost complete. Autumn is around the corner and winter is coming. The economic well-being of living and working in this amazing resort village in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, revolve a lot around the seasons. Each one of them having merit. All of them in some way or another involving outdoor activities, nature at its best, and the “culture steeped in adventure” of the northern New Mexico.
While the temperatures soar into the hundreds in neighboring states, summer here is cool and comfortable. It beacons to you to come out and play. Golf, mountain biking, endurance biking, an abundance of trails to hike, horseback riding, fishing, zip lining, or simply relaxing in the fresh air, are just a few of the summer activities to choose on a daily basis. And it is very normal to see families of deer, herds of elk, or maybe a bear while you’re out and about.
When the crispness of autumn fills the air, the entire valley transforms into brilliant arrays of oranges, yellows, and reds as the leaves change. Everyday it’s different. Every day another artistic canvas to invigorate your senses. Most of the outdoor summer activities are still an option, just bring a sweater or rain jacket along.
The snows begin and everyone prepares with great expectation for winter to hurriedly arrive. (The slopes open December 12!) Our economy comes alive when tourists, vacationers, and second home owners fill the village to enjoy our winter wonderland. I have looked out of my office window numerous times smiling and thinking, I live in a beautiful snow globe! Whether you prefer skiing, snowboarding, cross country, tubing, sledding, building snow castles, snowshoe hikes, hunting (in season) or a moonlit horse drawn sleigh ride, you can experience it all and more here in Angel Fire.
Then along comes spring welcoming new life. The snow begins its melt, trees and flowers blossom, baby animals of all varieties are spotted, and as with the other seasons, nature calls us still to come outside and play. Reading a book, eating a meal, painting a picture, or capturing it with your camera all seem to be more fun when experienced outside in the mountains.
Sometimes it is a struggle to earn a living and to maintain a business in a place that depends upon these four seasons to bring the bulk of our business. We don’t always have the best cell or internet reception. And our mail may take a little longer to get over the mountain. But the privilege of living and playing in this magnificent playground, being able to wake up to fresh air accompanied by views that are always breath taking, and belonging to a community of people and businesses who truly care about each other and this valley, is something never to be taken for granted.
As a tourist, whatever season you prefer, come fall in love with Angel Fire. Bring your family. Bring your friends. Bring your business. Enjoy our many seasons, events, festivals, and hospitality. Leave your heart and keep coming back. Our businesses depend upon each other and you. Or better yet, move your business and family and put down roots. Become a permanent part of our community. To coin a phrase- We’ll leave the lights on for you!
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