Surrounded by high desert and mountain landscapes, Santa Fe offers easy access to nature year-round. With four distinct seasons, the outdoors is always part of the Santa Fe experience. We have spent many a days enjoying these proven, easy access gems:

• Dale Ball Trails and Atalaya Mountain: foothill trails 10 minutes by car; Atalaya is a steady climb with city views.
• Ski Santa Fe: about 40 minutes up Hyde Park Road; aspens turn gold in late September and early October.
• Ten Thousand Waves: Japanese-style mountain spa on the way to the ski basin; book soaks and treatments ahead.
• Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks: cone-shaped rock formations about 45 minutes southwest. Reservations through Recreation.gov are required ($6 per person) plus a Cochiti Pueblo access pass; no day-of tickets. It closes seasonally, so check dates.
• Bandelier National Monument: cliff dwellings and ladders about an hour northwest.