While New Mexico is home to relatively mild weather, it's also home to decidedly chillier skiing destinations. Additionally, El Niño fueled snowfall has made for great skiing this year. Read on to learn more about two of the state's best family resorts.

Pajarito Mountain Ski Area

With its snowy, tree-lined trails and majestic views of the Rio Grande Valley and Valle Grande, it's easy to see why Pajarito Mountain is such an attractive destination. Perched on the Pajarito Plateau of the Jemez Mountains and just 35 miles northwest of Santa Fe, this winter getaway in the Jemez Mountains has been years in the making. Originally founded in the 1950's by a group of scientists working out of the top-secret Los Alamos National Labratory, the area has since added lodges, lifts, and trails, with more than 300 acres of slopes and tracks eventually cleared for skiing. The laid-back atmosphere appeals to families, and the bump runs and fall lines provide enough excitement for even the most experienced skiers.

Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort

Thanks to Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort, northern New Mexico has been a haven for family-friendly skiing since earth's very first snowfall back in 1952. Here, six lifts take guests up the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, where they can soar down more than 40 trails that range from easy routes to challenging steeps and tree skiing. Away from these well-groomed trails, skiers and snowboarders catch air at the resort's four terrain parks, procure equipment at the rental shop, and a full-service ski school prepares novices for their first time on the slopes. Sipapu treats its guests to ample freebies to help keep visits as affordable as possible. Instructors give first-timers complimentary lessons, and adult lift tickets include free lodging on select dates. Those and other specials helped Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort land a spot on Sunset magazine's list of Favorite Family Venues.