• Log In
    • ASK ABQ – Submit a Question
    • Submit a Photo
    • Submit a Story
    • Community Photos
    • About Us
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Trending
    • PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony
    • 4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Neighborhood Journal Neighborhood Journal
    Login
    • Northeast
      1. 87109
      2. 87111
      3. 87113
      4. 87122
      5. View All

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      Important spring semester dates at Albuquerque Public Schools

      January 9, 2023

      Ice Wolves win one, lose one to Lone Star Brahmas

      January 9, 2023

      Matheson Park Elementary School GreatSchools rating, student enrollment and reviews

      January 9, 2023

      Photos and video of the La Cueva vs. Eldorado metro tournament basketball game

      January 6, 2023
    • Northwest
      1. 87114
      2. 87120
      3. View All

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      Beautiful Ranch Style Home just listed in Western Meadow Subdivision!

      January 30, 2023

      APD investigating crash involving wrong way driver on Unser

      January 30, 2023

      Everybody knows your name at Whiptail

      January 17, 2023
    • Galleries
      1. Northwest Galleries
      2. Northeast Galleries
      3. View All

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

      February 3, 2023

      4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

      January 31, 2023

      This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

      January 31, 2023

      Check out this Multi Family Property in the heart of Rio Rancho

      January 31, 2023

      PHOTOS: Sandia Mountains provide hiking, views and peace of mind for outdoor enthusiasts

      January 4, 2023

      Wonderful things happened in 2022 at middle and elementary schools in NE ABQ

      December 28, 2022

      Albuquerque caught on camera: A 2022 photo review of the year’s top stories east of the Rio Grande

      December 28, 2022

      The best of 2022 at Albuquerque Academy: A year in review

      December 27, 2022
    • Real Estate
    • Submit a Photo
    • Newsletter
    Neighborhood Journal Neighborhood Journal
    Home » Sandia trails provide quick getaway for skiers looking for an adventure close to home
    Sports

    Sandia trails provide quick getaway for skiers looking for an adventure close to home

    Scott AlbrightBy Scott AlbrightDecember 13, 2022Updated:December 16, 2022No Comments4 Mins Read
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Therese Baca-Radler heads up Switchback Trail in the Sandia Mountains after fresh snow fell on the Sandia Mountains, Tuesday, Dec. 13, 2022. (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

    Monday’s storm brought just enough snow to the Sandia Mountains for cross-country skiers to strap up and head out on the trails.

    Therese Baca-Radler took advantage of the new snow Tuesday morning. At around 9:30 a.m., with the temperature at 8 degrees Fahrenheit, Baca-Radler was putting on her cross-country skis at the Ellis Trailhead, just down the road from Sandia Peak.

    “I grew up out here in the East Mountains and I started cross-country skiing when I was much younger with my father,” Baca-Radler said as she was putting on her skis. “And then I got back into it with my husband later. He taught me how to alpine ski, and I got pretty good at that. And then eventually I came back to cross-country skiing because I enjoy the solitude and the trees and the single-track trails that I can find doing it. I’m super grateful to have this area out here that provides so many varieties of sports that we can do. This is by far one of my favorites.”

    Ellis Trailhead sign in the Sandia Mountains. (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)

    At Ellis Trailhead, there are multiple trails skiers can take, with several looping around for a down or uphill session back to the parking area. Baca-Radler was heading up Switchback Trail, which she said takes skiers to the Sandia Crest House and Crest Trail.

    “There’s a variety of different single-track trails out here that sort of loop all around and you can get up to the crest where the tram is. And so, it’s fun to loop up to the top and then take a photograph of Albuquerque, or you know anything after that,” Baca-Radler said.

    She said when there’s enough snow it’s possible to ski from Placitas all the way to the south end of the mountain near Carnuel. “It’s one of the most beautiful trails that you’ll ever be on because you get the whole span of the Sandias, which is remarkable.”

    The Sandia Nordic Ski Club maintains and grooms about four miles of trails near Ellis Trailhead. Those trails can be accessed from the parking area and will open when there is enough snow for them to be groomed. A map of the groomed trails can be found on the Sandia Nordic Ski Club’s website.

    The beginning of Challenge Trail No. 233 is easily accessible from the Ellis Trailhead parking area. (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)

    According to a Nov. 29 post on the Sandia Nordic Ski Club Facebook page, three 50-foot sections of snow fencing were installed along different portions of trails the club helps maintain. The post says one section was installed near the lower 10k meadow, another above the upper meadow and the third section at the far south end of Klaus Trail.

    “This is our first season using snow fencing, so a bit of an experiment as to placement and effectiveness. Come spring we will remove the fencing along with any signage we install,” the post reads. “The ski trail was also scouted by some of the crew to look for any downed trees and aside for one, the trails are now ready for grooming.”

    Trail grooming occurs after there is an 8-10-inch base. On Tuesday there were a couple inches of snow on the ground. Not enough to groom, but enough for Baca-Radler to hit the trails.

    “I came out last week and there was really nothing. I was only able to do the road. And so, after this storm, I was really excited to drop the kids off at school so I could come up and get into the trees and do some of the single-track trails.”

    When it comes to first-time skiers, Baca-Radler said to stay safe, bring a buddy and always let someone know where you are skiing. Before heading up Switchback Trail, Baca-Radler could be seen hydrating and putting on a pack on with some snacks inside. She said she carries a lot but is used to having a heavy pack from other outdoor adventures.

    She said she is happy there is less traffic since the Sandia Peak Ski Area closed, but she still wants people to get out and explore.

    “Come enjoy our mountain,” Baca-Radler said. “It’s a beautiful place to be. I want the whole world to see it, just not all at once.

    Check out Ellis Trailhead

    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    (Scott Albright/Neighborhood Journal)
    Previous
    Next
    Crest Trail cross country skiing Ellis Trailhead Sandia Mountains Sandia Peak ski sports trails winter sports
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Scott Albright
    • Twitter

    Scott covers hyper-local news in the La Cueva High School area of Albuquerque. He previously worked for The Independent newspaper in Edgewood, NM and has published work in the Alibi, Sangre de Cristo Chronicle, Taos News, Big Island Chronicle, and Hawaii 24/7.

    Get Local News Delivered to Your Inbox

    Related Posts

    PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

    February 3, 2023

    Everybody knows your name at Whiptail

    January 17, 2023

    APD arrests 2022 legislative candidate for recent shootings at homes of elected officials

    January 17, 2023
    Add A Comment

    Comments are closed.

    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Follow us for more
    • Looking for the perfect New Mexican side dish for your holiday meal? Try the simple calabacitas recipe found on the website in our bio. Or you can copy the link below:
 https://buff.ly/3PUIj3t 
#NewMexicanCuisine #sidedish #simplerecipes #holidaytreat
    • It was a shock earlier this month when La Cueva ended Volcano Vista girls basketball undefeated streak. Tuesday night, the Hawks go revenge on the Bears, and we were there to get photo and video. View the Galleries page on the website in our bio or copy the link below:
https://buff.ly/3BRrhNJ 
#VolcanoVista #LaCueva #Albuquerque #basketball #NewMexicoAthletics
    • A former Lobo is guiding the next generation of Albuquerque athletes with what he calls the "Miami attitude." See the story by visiting the website in our bio or copying the link below
https://buff.ly/3Vh5NRy 
@UNM @UNMLOBOS @UNMLoboFB @frontline_elite_training #MiamiAttitude #Albuquerque
    • Vandalizing Grinches couldn't keep this NW ABQ neighborhood down. Instead, it ended up bringing neighbors together. See the story by visiting the website in our bio or copying the link below
https://buff.ly/3WAHNtF 
#NWABQ #Albuquerque #comingtogether #neighborhoodspirit #ChristmasSpirit #HolidayLights #VentanaRanch @VentanaRanch
    • Enjoy the cross-country skiing trails in the Sandias? There's a group that you can thank for maintaining them. Read all about it by visiting the link in our bio.
#SandiaPeak #Albuquerque #wintersports #thegreatoutdoors #skiingseason
    • Have you seen Santa yet? If not, there's still time. See where and when you can visit him this week in Albuquerque by visiting the link in our bio
#Albuquerque #SantaClaus #Christmas

    Follow Us!

    Tweets by NeighborhoodJo2
    About Us
    About Us

    The Neighborhood Journal aims to help residents be well informed about their neighborhood and feel more connected to their neighbors and community.

    Email Us: info@neighborhoodjournal.com
    Contact: +1-505-823-7200

    7777 Jefferson St. NE, Albuquerque

    PRIVACY POLICY

    Editor's Picks

    PHOTOS: Hundreds of Eagles soar at honor roll ceremony

    February 3, 2023

    4,300 SQ FT Dream Home in North Valley For Sale

    January 31, 2023

    This immaculate Rio Rancho home qualifies for 3.25% VA loan!

    January 31, 2023
    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Facebook Twitter Instagram
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Submit a Photo
    • Submit a Story
    © 2023 Neighborhood Journal. Website by Half Pixel.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    Sign In or Register

    Welcome Back!

    Login to your account below.

    Continue with Facebook
    Continue with Google
    Lost password?