 is very wide and has a mild ascent. You can certainly switch over to this trail if you are feeling the effects of the high altitude, or simply turn to the right on Aspen Vista, go another 20 feet, and then take the trail on the left to continue with the Big Tesuque. Either way offers incredible views, along with good tree coverage from ponderosa pines and aspen trees.
Remember when hiking in the Santa Fe area that we are above 7000 feet, so elevation can be a kicker. Bring plenty of water, along with a hat and sunscreen.
The event showcases work by some of the most renowned Native American artists in the country, featuring traditional and contemporary jewelry, pottery, weavings, paintings, baskets, textiles, carvings and fashion.
It is virtually impossible to get a room in Santa Fe without booking well in advance (many of our inn guests book attend Indian Market every year, and book at least one year in advance), so you want to plan early. Restaurants are packed, so again, advance reservations are a good idea. If you are not able to get restaurant reservations, there are some great to-go options (Raaga Indian, Taco Fundacion, Jambo Cafe, El Parasol, Dr. Field Goods, to name a few). You could enjoy your take-out on the patio of either The Madeleine Inn or Hacienda Nicholas, and thus savor your meal in a serene and tranquil garden setting.
If you are a serious collector you will want to be lined up at the booth of your favorite artist well before the market opens at 8am on Saturday morning. Most other people are content going a bit later and avoiding the serious jostling. For the most relaxed viewing time, head to the Plaza on Sunday afternoon, when there are still plenty of treasures to be had, but without a frenzy of activity.
Along with hundreds of booths of high quality Native American art you can enjoy music and entertainment at the central bandstand, and munch from a number of yummy food carts.
Bumper Crop of Apricots in Santa Fe!
Weather conditions this past winter and spring have resulted in an abundance of apricots all over Santa Fe this summer. We have a few apricot trees in the gardens of The Madeleine, with the most prolific producer of these golden nuggets of sweetness being about 125 years old. For the next 2-3 weeks the tree will be dropping hundreds of pounds of apricots - we welcome one and all to come and pick from the tree itself, or to harvest what drops onto the patio and gardens throughout the day and night. Please, come and gorge yourselves, and/or bring apricots home with you for jams, cobblers, pies, and whatever else you can think of.
It's time to get your tickets for the upcoming season of the renowned Santa Fe Opera. As always, there is a mix of well known and lesser known classics (this year La Boheme, The Pearl Fishers and Cosi Fan Tutte), along with a couple of newer productions (Jenufa and The Thirteenth Child).
The magnificent stage, with a backdrop of the stunning Jemez Mountains, reminds you that while you are hearing Metropolitan Opera quality voices, you are definitely not in New York City!
The Santa Fe Opera offers shuttle service from La Posada (reservations needed 24 hours in advance), just one block from the inn, or you can drive your own vehicle. I recommend getting there early so you can do a tailgate picnic and take in one of our glorious sunsets before the performance. The opera does offer tailgate picnics ($19 or $28 each) or more formal Preview Dinners (for $70), should you wish to avoid any pre-opera food shopping. Another fun pre-opera activity is to attend the Prelude Talks, free and informative discussions on the opera of the evening that are offered free of charge to all interested parties.
The 2019 opera season opens on June 28 with La Boheme: this is always a gala affair, with most attendees dressed in their finest.
The season closes on July 24, also with La Boheme. Tickets may be purchased online at the opera website.
Santa Fe has an abundance of lilacs, and if you are fortunate enough to be here at just the right time, you will be transported by the heavenly aroma of lilacs throughout the city. Judging by this photo, taken on April 26, the lilacs should be in full bloom within a week. Make your plans now to visit Santa Fe during the first two weeks of May so you too can be enveloped in their spectacular fragrance.
Santa Fe Ski Basin Extends Season!
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced skier, this year you will have an additional two weeks during which to hone your skills on the mountain. Due to the remarkable amount of snowfall we have been blessed with this winter, the Santa Fe Ski Basin has announced an extension to their season, and will remain open through Sunday, April 14.
The mountain has had 258 inches of snow so far for the 2018/2019 season, with over 80 inches of that coming in the first two weeks of March.
Come take advantage of what they are calling "Endless Winter", and treat yourself to some of that fresh powder and blue skies.
The Taos Pueblo, just an hour's drive from Santa Fe, is my favorite pueblo in the area for two reasons. First of all, it is the most architecturally intact: the multi-tiered buildings look very much as they did when they were constructed between 1000 and 1450 A.D. making for a most impressive and memorable visit. Secondly, it is set up so visitors have an accessible portion of the Pueblo set up for their exploration and learning, while the 150 Native Americans who continue to live in Taos Pueblo have the remainder which is not open for tourism, allowing them to live without the intrusions of visitors.
The Pueblo has been home to the Tiwa People for over 1000 years, and are considered to be among the oldest continuously inhabited buildings in the US. It has been designated as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, as well as a National Historic Landmark.
The Pueblo is closed to visitors for about ten weeks every year, starting in late winter and opening up again in the spring. TIP OF THE WEEK: This year the Taos Pueblo is scheduled to open on March 26.
Visitors are welcome daily from 8am-4pm (8:30am on Sundays). Admission is $16 for adults, $14 for students, and children under 10 are admitted free.
My tip of the week is to head down to Eloisa (just two blocks from The Madeleine Inn) and tuck into a delicious green chile cheeseburger for lunch. We used to recommend Bobcat Bite, which then became Santa Fe Bite, for this Santa Fe culinary delight: unfortunately they closed about a year ago, and since then we have been scouting around for the next Green Chile Cheeseburger Heaven. Who knew it would be so close?
The price is a bit steep for this sort of thing, but the $20 charge is more palatable when you learn that this is no mere hamburger, but is made using certified Kobe beef.
I chose not to have the bun, but normally you get an awesome bun and either homemade potato chips, a salad or a soup on the side.
Truly this is one of the more succulent meals you could ever hope to have - don't pass on the bacon!
Here's a great deal for skiers who also appreciate fine dining. The Compound Restaurant, known for its exceptional culinary skill, impeccable service and elegant ambiance, is now offering skiers a discount of 20% off lunch, dinner and bar menu meals. 
It is a good idea to call ahead for reservations, as The Compound is a very popular venue. Please mention "Ski Special" when you call to make reservations. Their phone number is |||PHONE_NUMBER|||.
Special valid throughout the months March and April, 2019.
The record-breaking snowfall in the mountains around Santa Fe is great for skiers, but makes hiking a bit of a challenge. However, there is terrific hiking in the lower elevations, where the snow melts away very quickly.
Today's hike, behind St. John's College and just a five minute drive from the inn, was phenomenal. With afternoon temperatures in the 50s, a babbling brook running along the trail from all the melting snow, and a virtually empty trail (we saw only five other people in our two hours of walking), it was a beautiful early spring hike.
We are happy to give you all sorts of ideas on hikes at the lower elevations around Santa Fe, and have a number of reference books that will also help you find just the right hike for you.
The Santa Fe Ski Basin has had an epic season of record snowfall. With 45” of fresh snow in the past week, now is the time for skiers who love fresh powder, blue skies and sun.
All 83 runs are open, and there is a base of 83", making for a fabulous day on the mountain.
Tip of the Week: The most convenient equipment rental is at Santa Fe Ski Basin itself, but if you are looking for high end demo equipment, Alpine Sports has a much better high-end demo fleet with options for all abilities.
Santa Fe is known for its plethora of diverse and top tier restaurants. What better time to try out a number of these incredible eateries than during Santa Fe Restaurant Week. Now in its tenth year