Cloudcroft’s Winter Guide
Markets, parades, trail runs, shopping, festivals, new businesses, and sign-up deadlines. Stay in the know with our local guide.
Cloudcroft’s holiday events unwrap this month, as the Chamber of Commerce’s Christmas Market fills the high school gym for Black Friday weekend.
This guide covers events, changes on the mountain and what to expect for your winter village trip.
Gather
The Lodge’s Thanksgiving buffet is sold out, with more than 400 reservations booked between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m., General Manager Toni Carrizal said. Next year, watch the historic hotel’s promotions early.
For those looking for where to gather for the big day, Mayor Dusty Wiley and his wife, Vicky, are offering up their annual Thanksgiving Day meal at Dusty Boots to the greater Cloudcroft community at 1 p.m. Free of charge, and “all are welcome,” Wiley said.
Cloudy’s Market rotates seasonal goods. Find cranberry sauce, crispy onions, pumpkin puree, gravy mix, hot cocoa, mocktails, and other holiday fixings on their shelves.
The Michael Nivison Public Library runs a food pantry at its side entrance. Director Sandra Barr said it’s open to anyone, “no questions asked.”
Note: The library is now open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, and it’s closed Mondays.
Shopping Guide: Black Friday Weekend
Skip Amazon and shop local at the Chamber of Commerce’s annual Christmas Market, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27-28, in the Cloudcroft High School gym, 10 Swallow Place. Admission is free.
Look for about three dozen vendors selling gifts, art, home goods, jewelry, wreaths, pottery, goat milk soap and jams, plus the Burros Don Vic food truck.
Next door, the Cloudcroft Art Society’s cooperative gallery in the Old Red Brick Schoolhouse hosts its Holiday Art Show on Saturday, Nov. 28 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For more original art, shop Off the Beaten Path, Samantha Odom Art Gallery, The Little Gallery, Aspen & Ivy, Blackbear Coffee Shop’s gallery wall, and the Burro St. Trading Post.
Check off your Christmas shopping list along Burro Avenue and James Canyon Highway. For stocking stuffers, browse High Altitude, the Elk Shed, Poke the Bear, and Mountain Magic.
To pamper someone, try Redwall Jewelry, The Lodge’s gift shop and boutique, Noisy Water Winery, Instant Karma, Coco Blu, and Be in the Mountains Yoga.
Cut your own Christmas tree: $10 permits to cut a tree on the Lincoln National Forest are on sale now, good through Dec. 31 at the Sacramento Ranger District office or online.
Business Updates
Bhair Necessities is closing up shop on Dec. 1 after nearly six years on Burro Avenue.
After doing hair since 1999, owner Michael “Your Stylist” said it’s been an amazing journey and “it’s finally time to hang up my scissors for good. So many of my salon guests became true friends, and we’ve shared good and bad times, lots of laughs, and maybe a few tears.”
You’ll still find Michael at Poke the Bear on Burro, the eclectic shop filled with humorous gifts, souvenirs, T-shirts, and more.
The new Old Crow’s Nest antiques shop in High Rolls Mountain Park is a short drive away and open Wednesday through Sunday.
Tucked away on Victoria Street just off Mescalero Avenue, the new shop A Touch of Ambience sells home goods and unique decor. It’s open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Sunday.
The James Sewell Ice Rink at Zenith Park is running on refrigerated ice for the first time this winter, which means skating no longer waits on a cold snap.
The season is set to run through March 2027, and they are open every day of the week. Find more programming and special events at cloudcrofticeskating.com.
The rink is bringing back a beloved Cloudcroft tradition. Ullr Fest returns 7–11 p.m. Dec. 5, with live music, ice skating, and a bonfire at Zenith Park.
The Geist family opened Hotel Cloudcroft over Labor Day weekend. Trevor Geist bought the building in 2019 with his parents, Lance and Robin, and spent seven years gutting and rebuilding it.
The 17 rooms and suites have Gilded Age styling, Tiffany-style lighting and antiques gathered from about 150 regional shops. Look for the check-in desk from a bank in Lincoln, NM, and a fireplace built from a locomotive front.
Christmas in Cloudcroft
Saturday, Dec. 5 is the biggest night for events.
The Christmas Parade rolls through Burro at 5:30 p.m. The Cloudcroft Chamber of Commerce is now accepting entries.
Businesses, groups and families can enter, along with dressed-up pets and decorated vehicles. Register at coolcloudcroft.com or email the Chamber at chamber@coolcloudcroft.com.
The community tree lighting follows the parade in the OCEC Courtyard on Burro, with the village’s largest tree. This year, PVT will decorate.
Wanderlust Running’s second annual Ugly Sweater 5K and 1-mile walk starts at 4 p.m. at the Cloudcroft Pavilion in Zenith Park. Check-in opens at 3 p.m., and the walk starts at 4:05 p.m. The field is capped at 100, and runners must register by Nov. 23 to be guaranteed a shirt. Sign up at wanderlust.run.
The public library will host a Christmas movie and cookie decorating Dec. 4 and Dec. 11, 5 to 7 p.m. both nights. Come early on the 4th to help decorate for the holidays.
The Samantha Odom Art Gallery on Burro Avenue hosts its CHRIST Art Show from Nov. 28 to Jan. 11.
The Cloudcroft Municipal Schools present their K-12 Christmas Program from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, in the Cloudcroft High School gym. Previous programs, directed by music program director Kathy Draves, included stories, songs, instruments, performances by the school band and even a special light show.
Cloudcroft United Methodist Church presents its Christmas Cantata at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6.
The annual Mountain Top Basketball Tournament, one of the most popular events of the winter, fills the Cloudcroft High School gym Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 10–12. Bring cash for entry and concessions.
The Chamber’s covered walk-through Christmas village opens in Zenith Park Dec. 11–19. Hours haven’t been announced, and the Chamber is looking for businesses to sponsor decorations.
The Lodge will host Mr. and Mrs. Claus in mid-December for photos with hot chocolate, cookies, goodie bags, and pictures with Santa—find updates on their Facebook page.
Cloudcroft Light Opera Company hosts Santa Land from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19, at the Zenith Park Pavilion. It’s free, open to the public, and includes crafts, cocoa, letters to Santa, and pictures with Santa. Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive at 5 p.m. and stay until every child has visited.
After the Holidays
The calendar quiets down after New Year’s, but the mountain doesn’t close.
Instant Karma is enrolling students now for “Yoga in Action: A Preliminary Course,” which begins Saturday, Jan. 9.
A new group starts only once a year, in January, so anyone who has been thinking about it should sign up this winter. This writer joined the beginner’s course and found it a good way to connect with others and take on a real challenge. Instruction goes well beyond poses, exploring yoga philosophy and the tenets of balance. To connect, call 575-682-2651 or email alex@getinstantkarma.com.
Looking ahead:
Murder Mystery at the Lodge, Jan. 8–10. The Lodge at Cloudcroft offers weekend packages that include champagne socials, dinners and breakfasts. Reserve at 575-682-2566.
Ski Cloudcroft. The beginner-friendly hill opens when snow conditions allow, and hours vary. Check the weather and skicloudcroft.net before you go.
Every week on Burro. Cloudcroft Brewing Co., The Distillery, and Noisy Water Winery host live music, trivia, and more. Check their Facebook pages for updates.
Beyond the Village
Neighboring mountain communities and the basin below have their own holiday events.
Alamogordo: The Otero Arts Members’ Show runs through Nov. 29 at 1118 Indiana Ave., open Thursday through Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Call 575-446-3880 for details.
Mayhill: The Mayhill Community Center hosts a community holiday potluck at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. Bring a dish and a dessert to share. Holiday Bingo Extravaganza follows at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, with $10 game packs, raffles and cash prizes. Bring cash.
Piñon: The Piñon Community Center, 2337 NM-24, holds its tree lighting and Christmas market from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28. A chili cook-off runs from 4 to 5 p.m. Entry is $15. Call Michelle at 575-687-2650 to enter.
White Sands National Park: Rangers lead a Lake Lucero tour from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21. It’s limited to 50 people, so reserve at Recreation.gov. The group meets at the Small Missile Range Gate on U.S. 70, between mile markers 174 and 175.
A Moonlight Hike on the Dune Life Nature Trail runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 24. It costs $8 for adults and $4 for kids 15 and under, plus park entry. Check in 30 minutes early, and leave the flashlights at home. Sunset Strolls run Fridays through Sundays in December. Details are at nps.gov/whsa.
A new trail opened with replica early-human prints on view. Learn more: https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/new-ice-age-trail-at-white-sands
Before You Go
Winter storms can close roads up the mountain for a few hours, so check NMDOT road conditions before you drive.
The Trestle Recreation Area is closed December through March.
For timely event updates, lodging, and the most up-to-date restaurant hours in the village, visit DiscoverCloudcroft.com.
The Cloudcroft Reader works with — and receives support from — organizations that strengthen local news in New Mexico and nationwide, including the New Mexico Local News Fund, the Santa Fe Community Foundation, the Local Media Association, LION Publishers, Press Forward, and Blue Engine Collaborative.
Cloudcroft Reader is proud to be sponsored in part by great companies like:
The James Sewell Ice Rink
Cloudcroft’s open-air ice rink — public skating, lessons and hockey high in the New Mexico pines.Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artworkFuture Real Estate
Raise your expectations.Ski Cloudcroft
The Southernmost ski area in New Mexico.Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life ImprovementHigh Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro AvenueBlushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨Cloudcroft Art Society
Located in Old Red Brick Schoolhouse: Holiday and Saturday art showsNoisy Water Winery
Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village PlazaThe Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico ResortsHomee
Real Estate Property Management and RentalsCloudcroft Art Workshops
Enhance your artistry while enjoying the beauty and coolness of the mountains!Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your SoulLaughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing LeafInstant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade BoutiqueThe Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest + Mountain Provisions, Goods & FineryThe PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the CloudsBre Hope Media
Professional photo and video servicesDiscover Cloudcroft
The mountain’s best online visitor guide, run by locals
Wow! Great rundown of what's coming up in our beautiful village!!!! Bring on the Winter hootenanny!!