To understand Angel Fire and how it got its name, we have to travel back centuries. The first-known dwellers in the area were the nomadic Moache Ute and Jicarilla Apache tribes. They sought Angel Fire as a spiritual site for one of their Fall rituals. Legend has it that it was during this time when one of the elders remarked on the red and orange fire-looking sky as the sun rose and set over the mountains. He declared it, ‘breath of the spirits’ which Franciscan Friars later translated into ‘breath of angels’. The famed pioneer Kit Carson later shortened the name to Angel Fire.

In 1954 the LeBus family of Wichita, TX purchased several thousand acres on what is known as Monte Verde Ranch. In 1956 with a purchase of thousands of more acres from the Maxwell Land Grant, they became leading cattle ranchers in New Mexico’s scenic Moreno Valley. That’s when their kids, wanting to ski close to home, began putting tow ropes up the sides of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. Their Dad, Roy, together with his wife LaVena, took it one step further and that’s when Angel Fire Resort was born.

After visiting several ski resorts to get clear on their vision of a ski resort that would also feature golfing and fishing, construction began. By 1966 the slopes were laid out, a 9-hole golf course had been made as well as the shores of the Monte Verde Lake had been tamed and all were ready for visitors. As word got out families from Texas, Oklahoma and New Mexico began to travel to the beautiful quaint town.

For Summer visitors, the golf course has been expanded to a fully PGA-ranked 18-hole golf course. People from all over come to enjoy the crisp mountain air, take in the views and revel in year-round outdoor adventures.

Today there are hundreds of unique visitor accommodations. Choose from classic resort suites, rent a ski-in-ski-out condo right at the base of the slopes or vacation rentals with scenic mountain views.