http://www.sfreporter.com/articles.sec-47-1-winter-guide.html
By: SFR
This year’s Winter Guide comes right on time. The days are shorter, the air is chillier and, as of the time of this writing, snow was finally in the forecast. Those of you who long for the pure, piney solitude of first tracks on the Taos steeps can use our updated, improved ski grid to branch out to other locations (Sipapu usually opens first!) or explore some of the top local destinations for great snowshoeing. If you’re less thrilled about traipsing around in the cold, at least learn how to bundle up —or just cozy up at one of Santa Fe’s welcoming bars for some inner-warming libations. Finally, if you do nothing else, read Anicca Cox’s soaring tribute to winter in northern New Mexico —an homage to the truly incomparable magic of a Santa Fe winter.]]>
By: Enrique Limón
It was a rare treat. A chance to be a drunken fly on the wall as Missy Auge, general manager of Tanti Luce 221 (221 Shelby St., 988-2355) and Leif West, mixologist for Southern Wine and Spirits, narrowed their winter drink selection down from a worthy 15 contenders.]]>
By: Alexa Schirtzinger
Of course, in the interest of thorough reporting, SFR couldn’t visit just one local drinking establishment to sample its winter menu—so we also checked out the seasonal cocktails on offer at Secreto Bar, the cozy alcove tucked inside the Hotel St. Francis (210 Don Gaspar, 983-5700)]]>
By: Katherine Cox
Winter is the driest time of year, and here in the high desert, we are especially susceptible to cracking and chafing. The best thing you can do is prep your skin now for the dry days ahead and get into the habit of taking care of yourself to avoid bandaging and pain later.]]>
By: Katherine Cox
Hitting the slopes in style is perhaps less of a priority than hitting the slopes at all—lift tickets ain’t cheap, and neither is the gear you need to get up there. But a few important items will make any ski bunny comfortable and attractive, both on and off the slopes, regardless of how much cash you have to spend.]]> SFR
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By: Mia Rose Carbone
One of the most ancient forms of outdoor winter transportation is making a strong comeback these days. In the last couple of years, the number of people partaking in snowshoeing—a low-impact, cardio-beneficial form of snow recreation—has increased drastically.]]>
By: Alexa Schirtzinger
Canyon Road is magical, sure—but when you see it decorated to the eaves with holiday lights and farolitos, music and the scent of woodsmoke in the air, it takes on a whole new identity.]]>
By: Anicca Cox
When mulling over ideas for this piece, I wasn’t sure what to say at first. After all, for the last few years, my time in Taos has been interrupted and punctuated by the season of the semester outside of New Mexico. I have left Taos for education and work, for escape, for adventure. But I always return.]]>
By: SFR
One of the most glibly sensationalized years in the modern calendar, 2012, is nearly upon us. With it come the predictions of apocalyptic doom and the unceremonious end of the Mayan calendar.

From a skeptic’s point of view, “total demise” is something of an overstatement. Change, on the other hand, is inescapable. 

]]> R Harrison Dilday
The fiery summer of 2011 wasn’t great for New Mexico’s wild areas, but a cool, snowy winter should help restore them. Even better: Outdoorsy types who spent the hot months yearning for access to majestic forests and solitary peaks can finally hit the slopes!]]>
By: Matthew Irwin
I’m new to Santa Fe—why wouldn’t I attempt to paint the aspens? Isn’t that what people do? They move to Los Angeles to be actors, writers and musicians; to New York City to be (different kinds of) actors, writers and musicians; and to Santa Fe to be painters. Forget that I’m still learning how to use my camera properly; my assignment is to paint the aspens.]]>
By: Dani Katz
As a longtime 13 Moon calendar advocate formerly obsessed with the Maya(n) calendar, as well as the accompanying lore, allow me to clarify: The end of the Maya(n) calendar (Dec. 21, 2012) is not the end of the world; it is merely the end of three-dimensional existence as we know it. With this in mind, my last day of linear Gregorian cluster-fuckiness here in Santa Fe would look a little something like this:]]>
By: Alex De Vore
In response to this guy who got in my face at the grocery store with a diatribe about how I have no right to be a music critic since I’m not a musician myself, I decided to attend the open mic at Second Street Brewery’s Railyard location.]]>
By: Wren Abbott
The New Mexico heraldic crest, if it had one, would probably feature Christmas chiles, a West Side Locos tag, hot air balloons and a bolo tie. And don’t forget the Frito pie, surrounded by fleur-de-lis to class it up a little.]]>
By: Candace Walsh
I moved to Santa Fe nine years ago. Should I have formally immersed myself in the regional cooking methods? Should I have signed up for a class at the Santa Fe School of Cooking back in 2002?]]>
By: Joey Peters
Pondering a doomsday 2012 scenario, I wondered which Santa Fe offering I would visit if I had only 24 hours to go. Then it hit me: Were I facing inevitable death, I’d want to be as relaxed as possible.]]>
By: Rob Wilder
Before tweens and hillbillies started singing that horrid Nickelback anthem, it was the secret dream of most writers to play in a rock ’n’ roll band. Some authors, including Rick Moody, Stephen King and even (alas!) Barbara Kingsolver, have actually nailed semi-regular gigs doing something a step above karaoke.]]>
By: SFR
As anyone who survived the Endless Winter of 2009 knows, short, cold days and long, cold nights require a game plan. And, like most of life’s experiences (falling in love, winning the lottery, surviving the apocalypse), a little self-knowledge goes a long way.]]>
By: Charlotte Jusinski, Ramon A Lovato
The holidays are a great time to remember those less fortunate—but it seems like everyone chooses the holidays as the time to remember and, the rest of the year, they forget.]]>