Location:Angel Fire is located in the majestic Moreno Valley, in the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range of Colfax County, in the north east section of New Mexico. It is about 23 miles east of Taos via US Hwy 64,94 miles northeast of Santa Fe, 152 miles northeast of Albuquerque, 50 miles south of Colorado border, and 160 miles north east from Texas border. The Moreno Valley is a 15-mile long, 3-mile wide, high alpine valley.

 

Elevation: 8,382' at base of valley.Surrounding mountains range from 11,086' of Agua Fria Peak on the south end of the valley to 12,441' of Baldy Peak at the north end of the valley.  Wheeler Peak, at 13,161', the highest mountain in the state, forms the northwest boundary of the valley. Latitude N36 degrees 25.24 minutes; Longitude: W105 degrees 17.40 minutes. The incorporated Village of Angel Fire covers an area of 18,450 acres. The average lot size is .726 to .786 acre.   

 

Climate:Winter temperatures are generally moderate, averaging mid-thirties daytime to mid-teens in the early morning.  Average annual snowfall is 140" in the valley and over 210" at the ski area.  Average annual precipitation in spring and summer is 7" with moderate temperatures, varying from early morning lows in the mid-forties to mid-afternoon highs of 75 degrees with very low humidity levels.  

 

Estimated population of town: 1,216 permanent residents per US Census in year 2010; and approximately 600 seasonal residents.  Many of the seasonal residents who own their homes or condos, rent or lease to visitors during the time the they are absent. 

 

Main Industry: Tourism

 

Businesses with Largest Number of Employees: 

• Angel Fire Resort: approx. 79 full-time year round employees with an additional 250 winter only seasonal employees and 65 summer only seasonal employees
• Village of Angel Fire – Employees: 59

 

Recreational areas in and near Angel Fire:

• Angel Fire Ski & Golf Resort is within the Angel Fire Village limits
• Angel Fire Ski Area borders the Colin Neblett WildLife Area
• The west side of the Angel Fire Village borders the Carson National Forest
Eagle Nest Lake State Park is 10 miles away
Cimarron Canyon State Park is 14 miles away
Coyote Creek is 18 miles away

 

 

Average Temperatures (F) & Precipitation

 

 

Month	High	Low	Inches
January	30	-20	20.2
February	3	-10	22.2
March	50	1	30.8
April	55	18	16.1
May	60	22	70.0
June	70	33	3.7
July	72	40	4.7
August	75	45	2.2
September	60	30	6.2
October	48	18	8.7
November	45	10	15.3
December	36	-6	20.0

 

 

Average days sunlight:  300

 

Tourism:

Tourism is the principal year-round industry in Angel Fire.  

 

 Fair weather activities (May-Oct) include:

18-hole PGA-rated golf course

Tennis

Fishing; Stream and Lake

Paddle Boats

Scenic Chairlift Rides

Mountain Biking

Eighteen hole Disc Golf Course at the top of the Chile Express Chairlift

Climbing wall

Euro bungy

ATV Tours

Hiking

Horseback riding

Horsedrawn wagon rides

Jeep rental

Big Game Hunting, primarily elk. 

and more.

 

Winter weather activites (Dec.-March) include:

Skiing and Snowboarding at the Angel Fire ski area:  more than 550 acres of skiable terrain with 74 trails on 445 acres of private land, 10,677 ft. at the Summit and a

  vertical drop of 2,077'.  26% of the trails are for beginners, 50% for intermediate, and 24% for experts. Includes 2 FreeStyle Parks, Annual skier days on average season: 104 days on average season.

Snowmobiling is also a popular sport, with guided tours available on private land as well as in the Carson National Forest bordering the Village. 

• $10 million in ski area improvements have been made in recent years. 
• The ski area includes:
• Chairlifts: two high-speed quads (the only 2 in New Mexico),3 Doubles, 2 Sunkid Wonder Carpets
• 6,000 sq-ft world known Children's Ski & Snowboard Center.
• Adult Ski & SNowboard School
• Tubing at the base of the ski area, operating daily and early evenings, conditions permitting. Children must be 42” tall, no doubles.  
• Two Freestyle Terrain Parks: Lowrider Park (featuring lower rails and smaller features for developing skills), Liberation Park at summit as well as multiple jumps, rails, funboxes for advanced riders.
• Nordic Center with 11.5 km of terrain for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing distributed across 3 trails, one beginner, one intermediate, one advanced
• Night Skiing

Year-round is ideal for photography and enjoying the magnificent wildlife (elk, deer, birds, and more),

 exquisite cloud formations, beautiful sunrises & sunsets

Fall- wonderful aspen color changes

Spring and Summer- glorious wildflowers

Winter- horse-drawn sleigh rides

Special events are scheduled year-round and are listed on the Angel Fire Chamber's website:  www.AngelFireChamber.org

 

Government

• Village Council with four Council members and a Mayor, all elected to four-year staggered terms. 
• Village Hall:  575-377-3232.  Emergency Calls:  911.Police office 575-377-3214.Fire/EMT 575-377-3347.
• As of 2010, Angel Fire has 925 registered voters. Voter registration is at Angel Fire Village Hall.
• Police:  Chief and 3 officers.
• Municipal Court:  One elected Judge.
• Fire Department based EMS Service:4 paid employees and 25 volunteers, including 11 certified EMT’s.
• Planning and Zoning Commission:  Appointed by the Mayor.A Planning and Zoning Code is in effect, and a General Master Plan is in use, which includes land use, community design, and development controls.  
• State law mandates that 21 is the legal age to purchase alcohol; Sunday sales after noon.  

 Elected U.S. officials:  

• Rep. Ben Lujan (D), Sen. Jeff Bingaman (D),Sen. Tom Udall (D)

Taxes:

• Gross Receipts 2010(sales) tax:  7.4375%; Total GRT revenues in FY2010 $2,181,375
• Lodgers Tax 5%; Total Lodgers Tax revenues in FY2010 $243,602
• Colfax County Property Tax:  1/3 of assessed property values times tax rate. 
• Total Village of Angel Fire Property Tax Valuation 2010: $1,154,168 residential and non-residential.  

Real Estate

• Sales in 2010 (*= #sales $amt not reported):
• 65 Parcels Land:  $2,690,996
• 52 Homes:  $21,308,644
• 33 Condos:  $4,256,800
• Average home sale: $381,982

2-br home $260,000

3-br home $398,782

2-br condo $133,231

 

Other:

• 118 building permits issued in 2010
• 10 new homes constructed in 2010 13 permits issued
• Total existing houses & condos 2,187 est.
• Long-term monthly rental:  $500-$1,300 avg.
• Covenants:  Vary by subdivision. Contact Angel Fire Environmental & Architectural Control Committee 575-377-1135

Public School Information

 

Cimarron Municipal School District 2010-11 enrollment:

• Cimarron Elem./Middle School (K-8):  97
• Eagle Nest Elem./Middle School (K-8): 169
• Cimarron High School (9-12):  60
• Moreno Valley Charter High School: 80

Medical

• Moreno Valley Health Care Clinic, Angel Fire: 575-377-3301
• Holy Cross Hospital, Taos (approx 26 miles west of Angel Fire): 575-758-8883
• Angel Fire Family Dentistry, Angel Fire:  575-377-1383

Veterinarian

• Angel Fire Small Animal Hospital, Angel Fire:  377-3165

Community Facilities

• Angel Fire Community Center.  11,300 sq-ft facility housing 6,000 sq-ft multi-purpose room, commercial kitchen, classroom space and playground.  Recreational and educational programs year-round.  377-1544.
• Shuter Library, 11 S. Angel Fire Rd.  377-6755.
• Angel Fire Ski Area:  Mid-Dec thru late March.  800-633-7463
• Angel Fire Golf Course & Country Club Pro Shop:  May – Oct.  377-3055
• Monte Verde Lake:  Fishing, picnicking and paddleboats. May – Oct. Pay fishing fee & boat rental at boathouse.  377-6401.
• Olympic Park:  Tennis courts, playground, softball field, and basketball courts.  Next to golf course.  377-6401.  
• Angel Fire Resort Day Care Center:  State licensed, year-round childcare for ages 6 wks to 11 yrs.  Shot records required.  377-4213.  

Churches In Angel Fire:

Call for locations and service schedules.

• Angel Fire Baptist Church:  575-377-3107
• Angel Fire Foursquare Church:575 -377-5917
• Angel Fire Lutheran Church: 575-377-2814
• United Church of Angel Fire: 575-377-1559 Holy Angels Church
• Holy Angels Church: 575-377-3337

 

In Eagle Nest:

• Moreno Valley Church of Christ:  575-377-1043
• St. Mel's Catholic Church:  575-377-1937

  

Other objects of significant interest: 

• Vietnam Veterans Memorial – the first Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located 1 mile from the Angel Fire Village limits. A 6,000 square foot shrine and visitor’s center built by Dr. Victor Westphall with his private funds.  Dr. Westphall’s son, David, was killed in a 1968 enemy ambush in Vietnam.  The Memorial was built not to glorify war but to honor the men and women who served. The Memorial is slated to became a New Mexico State Park in 2005.  The memorial was completed in 1971. It has been expanded to honor all veterans.  Dr. Westphall passed away July 22, 2003.  

• Approximately two thousand years before any Anglos arrived in the Angel Fire area, the Moache Ute Indians (a fierce, nomadic, constantly warring tribe) migrated to the Angel Fire Area and claimed it for their summer and fall camps – their sacred ceremonial area is still known as “Valley of the Utes.”

 

Uniqueness about Angel Fire today: 

• Angel Fire Ski & Golf Resort was started in 1965 by the Roy Lebus family.  A community built up around the ski area, and was incorporated as the Village of Angel Fire in 1986, so Angel Fire is a relatively young village.
• Angel Fire is a high-altitude haven nestled in a valley 8,382 feet above sea level between mountains ranging from 11,086 (Mount Baldy) to 13,161 (Wheeler Peak, the highest mountain in New Mexico).  Spectacular sunrise and sunset colors gave Angel Fire its name long ago when Ute Indians observed the glowing skies and called it the “fire of the angels.”   

A number of annual events attract visitors and locals, including Missoula Children’s Theater, Music from Angel Fire, Living History Days, and the Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve torchlight parades and fireworks. 

Interesting Facts

 

Angel Fire – got its name from the Moache Utes.  Seeing mysterious tongues of red and orange licking the morning sky, one of the elders claimed it was the "fire of the gods".  Later Franciscan Friars interpreted "fire of the gods" as "the place of the fire of the angel". 

Eagle Nest Lake – covers 2,200 acres and borders the south side of the Village of Eagle Nest.  The dam was built in the early 1900's.  Eagle Nest Lake provides some of the Southwest's best fishing for trophy Rainbow trout and Kokonee and Koho Salmon.  A State of NM Fishing license is required.  Fishing is a year-round sport with ice fishing usually beginning in January and the first open water fishing starting in April. 

Elizabethtown – New Mexico's first incorporated town established in 1867.  Five miles north of Eagle Nest on County Road B-20 (off Highway 38), there are ruins and a museum open Memorial Day through Labor Day.  Beni Jo Fulton, Curator for the Elizabeth Town Museum can be reached at (505) 377-3420. 

Enchanted Circle – an 85-mile loop around Wheeler Peak through the towns of Eagle Nest, Red River, Questa, Taos, and passing Angel Fire. 

Kit Carson – lived in Taos, and his home there is now a museum at 113 Kit Carson Road, (505) 758-4741. 

Palo Flechado Pass – the mountain pass between Taos & Colfax Counties.  Palo Flechado is Spanish for "tree pierced with arrows".  Elevation 9,101 ft. 

Red River – has six buildings listed on the National Register of historic Places.  One of them has six buildings listed on the national Register of Historic Places, was built in 1915 and used as a school house until 1942; it has now been converted into a museum. 

Red River Fish Hatchery – located N. of Taos & South of Questa on Hwy 515, (505) 586-0222.  See a display of the trout-rearing process and take a self-guided tour of a show ponds and trout raceways. 

Wheeler Peak – New Mexico's highest mountain at 13,161 feet. 

 

Village Elevations:

Angel Fire... 8,500 feet

Eagle Nest.. 8,262 feet

Questa.........7,500 feet

Red River....8,676 feet

Taos............ 8,965 feet

 

 

Helpful Travel Tips:

 

Altitude Sickness

 

At 8,382 feet, it can take some time to get acclimated to the altitude.To avoid Altitude Sickness be sure to drink plenty of water and get plenty of rest.

 

The symptoms of AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) include:

 

• Headache
• Loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting
• Fatigue or weakness
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Difficulty sleeping
• Confusion
• STAGGERING GAIT 

If any of these symptoms persist despite drinking plenty of fluids and taking mild analgesics, get medical attention.

 

 

Helpful phone numbers:

 

New Mexico Fishing Information: 1-800-275-3474

NM Department of Game and Fish:505-445-2311

Carson National Forest:505-758-6200

New Mexico State Parks: 888-667-2757

Road Condition Reports: 800-432-4269

 

 

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