Is Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area Open for the 2026-27 Season?
Updated
No. According to the official announcement on enchantedforestxc.com, the Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area will not open for the 2026-27 season. The area is closed for that winter, and the longtime operators, Geoff Goins and Ellen Miller Goins, will not be running it.
What the Official Notice Says
The notice on the site is direct: "This season, 2026-27, the Enchanted Forest will not open." The operators describe years of effort — grooming trails, maintaining equipment, and keeping the yurts and lodge running — before deciding to step away. They state plainly that they will not be operating the ski area this winter.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Question | Answer per the official notice |
|---|---|
| Open for 2026-27? | No — will not open |
| Will Geoff and Ellen operate it? | No |
| Is the ski area still for sale? | Yes |
| Could it reopen? | Possibly, if a new owner steps in — "maybe even this year" |
| Should you verify before traveling? | Yes — status could change if a sale happens |
What This Means If You Were Planning a Trip
- Do not plan on skiing, snowshoeing, or fat-tire biking there for the 2026-27 winter based on the current notice.
- A reopening is possible but not guaranteed. The notice says there is "real hope that a new owner will step in and reopen it, maybe even this year," but confirms the current operators will not be the ones to do it.
- Check the official site before making plans. Because the property is still for sale, the operating status could change. The website is the authoritative source for any update.
Background on the Area
The Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski Area sits on 600 acres of the Carson National Forest above Red River, New Mexico, and has offered year-round activities including biking, hiking, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Its winter operation included groomed trails for classic and skate skiing, plus yurts and a lodge. The closure notice marks the end of the Goins' chapter operating the area, not necessarily the end of the property's use if a buyer reopens it.
Bottom Line
For the 2026-27 season, treat Enchanted Forest as closed. If you want to visit in a future season, confirm current status on enchantedforestxc.com first, since a sale could lead to a reopening under new ownership.