Recreation

SFNF Waives Fees Presidents Day Weekend

Santa Fe National Forest. Courtesy/SFNF

SFNF News:

SANTA FEThe Santa Fe National Forest (SFNF) will waive fees at many recreation sites and amenities over the Presidents Day weekend Feb. 14-16. 

Fees at all national forests and grasslands will be waived at many day-use sites, such as picnic grounds and developed trailheads, in cooperation with other federal agencies under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act. Day-use fees will be waived at all standard amenity fee sites operated by the Santa Fe National Forest. 

Remaining fee waiver dates in 2015:

  • June 13, National
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Bandelier Celebrates 99 Years Wednesday

Old entrance sign for Bandelier. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

Bandelier National Monument has two special events this week including the park’s 99th anniversary Wednesday and three fee-free days over the Presidents Day weekend, Feb. 14, 15 and 16.

Feb. 11, 1916, then-President Woodrow Wilson used the power provided to him by the Antiquities Act to authorize a little-known, remote area in a little-known, remote state to be protected as Bandelier National Monument. In the intervening 99 years, this park has become one of the most popular in New Mexico, recognized for its beautiful Read More

Council Tables Decision On Los Alamos County Open Space Management Plan

From left, Open Space Specialist Craig Martin, Charlie Kalogeros-Chattan and Parks, Recreation and Open Space Manager Randy Smith present details of the Los Alamos County Open Space Management Plan to Council during today’s noon meeting in Council Chambers. ScreenShot/LADP 

P&Z Commissioner Phil Gursky speaks during public comment advising Council that the plan is in conflict with existing County plans and cautioned them about designating the entire land as W-1 (scenic open lands district). ScreenShot/LADP

PRB Open Space Subcommittee member Kevin Holsapple encourages Read More

Bandelier: Call For Artists For Park Centennial Logo

The ‘Bandelier Turkeys’ are the park’s logo and now the park is looking for a logo for its Centennial in 2016. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

In 2016, Bandelier National Monument will mark its 100th anniversary, and artists are invited to submit entries for a logo for the celebration. The logo will be used on many centennial items, as well as on the Bandelier Annual Pass for 2016

“This is an opportunity for all who love Bandelier to be an integral part of the centennial celebration,” Superintendent Jason Lott said. “The image will appear on passes, posters, and Read More

Pajarito And Sipapu February Events

Right now at Sipapu. Courtesy/Sipapu

Right now at Pajarito Mountain Ski Area. Courtesy/Pajarito webcam

SKI EVENT News:

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area and Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort are hosting a number of events in February.

February’s biggest and best events from each ski area include:

PAJARITO

  • 6th Annual K2 Women’s Weekend Feb. 6-8, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A charity event to help raise funds for men and women diagnosed with breast or cervical cancer.
  • K2 Demos for Women Feb. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Women’s K2 Ski Demos plus ski clinics with Pete Giuliani, a PSIA Certified Level 3 alpine and telemark
Read More

Skijoring In Los Alamos Captured On Video

Watch video Here of rider Megan Reader and skier Amy Engle skijoring on North Mesa. Videographer/Joanna Casson

 

By AMY ENGLE
Los Alamos

The last storm to hit New Mexico dumped almost eight inches of snow in Los Alamos. Being a bit snow-starved this year, a group of horse enthusiasts at the stable area on Los Alamos’ North Mesa decided to take the opportunity to enjoy a high-octane horse-powered sport: skijoring.

In skijoring, a horse (or in this case, pony) pulls a person on skis or even a snowboard. Skijoring is derived from the Norwegian word skikjøring meaning ski driving. Many U.S. Read More

Bandelier Seeks Written Or Online Comments On Possible Fee Changes

Ancestral Pueblo cavates in Frijoles Canyon, Bandelier National Monument. Courtesy/NPS

BANDELIER News:

Bandelier National Monument is seeking public comment on possible increases in the park’s entry fees. 

Snow limited the number of people attending the public meetings earlier in the month, but there is still time for anyone interested to submit comments by mail or online. 

Current entrance fees, which allow re-entry into the monument for up to seven days, are $12 per private vehicle or motorcycle and $6 per person/bicycle. These fees date Read More

President’s Budget Request For National Parks Includes $3 Billion For Conservation, Preservation, Recreation

BANDELIER News:

President Obama’s budget request for fiscal year 2016 – the centennial year of the National Park Service (NPS) – includes $3 billion for the bureau’s critical conservation, preservation and recreation mission.

This provides a boost of $432.9 million toward the NPS’s essential programs and operations. The NPS was established in 1916 to administer America’s national parks, monuments, and related areas. In 2016, its 100-year anniversary, the system preserves 405 areas, 23 national scenic and national historic trails and 60 wild and scenic rivers.

The budget proposal would Read More

Los Alamos Mountaineers Share Adventures Climbing 20 Miles Of Sangre Peaks

Climber in the Sangres. Courtesy photo

LA MOUNTAINEERS News:

Everyone is invited to join the Los Alamos Mountaineers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 18 at Fuller Lodge for an exciting presentation by Norbert Ensslin and Nathan Moody – two local, active LAM members.

At the northern end of Colorado’s Alamosa Valley, the Sangre de Cristo mountain range ends in a compact, 20-mile-long line of peaks. This beautiful ridge line dominates the view to the East for anyone driving through the little town of Villa Grove on the way to Poncha Pass. 

Over the years, many Mountaineers on their way Read More