Fall is certainly the best season of all in the Rocky Mountains. The days are warm, the nights crisp, and the forest's canopy is golden as the aspens turn beneath the clearest skies all year. Located on the doorstep of the Sangre de Cristo Mountain range, Santa Fe is the perfect jumping off spot for fall leaf viewing and outdoor recreation. Driving tours, hikes, and chairlift rides are all close to the city's historic downtown.

A short drive from the Santa Fe Plaza up Artist Road/Highway 475, a designated New Mexico Scenic Byway, are trailheads for the Dale Ball Trail System, various walks in and around Hyde Memorial State Park, the Aspen Vista trail cut through a huge aspen stand, and finally the Winsor Trail-gateway to the 250,000 acre Pecos Wilderness Area. At the top of the road is Ski Santa Fe, an excellent winter resort that operates its Super Chief, 4-person chairlift during the height of fall colors. With the best views on the mountain, the chair runs at a leisurely pace through aspens and conifers, finally terminating high above the Rio Grande Valley affording a spectacular 8,000 square mile panorama. This year the chairlift is scheduled to run from September 19 through October 11, from 10 AM to 3 PM. Information is available at Ski Santa Fe, 505-983-9155.

Back in town, fall means freshly-harvested green chile is being roasted all over Santa Fe, the best of the season's fresh produce is being served at area restaurants, and the city is bathed in the most glorious warm weather of the year. All of the city's history, culture, art, and attractions are in place and easy to enjoy simply by walking through town.

Visiting New Mexico for the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, October 3-11? Take a day trip to Santa Fe on the New Mexico Rail Runner Express train. It's easy, affordable, and convenient with daily bus service from Balloon Fiesta Park to the train station and back. The train ends its run at the Santa Fe Depot on Guadalupe Street and each train is met by the Santa Fe Pick Up, a free shuttle service between the depot and downtown Santa Fe. For details, schedules, and tickets, www.nmrailrunner.com

Listed below are some of the events coming up this fall in Santa Fe. However, there are too many performances, readings, museum exhibitions, tours, Lensic Performing Arts Center presentations, art events, and special happenings taking place to include. For a comprehensive list of all that's going on in Santa Fe, please visit our online calendar.

September 23 - 27: Santa Fe Wine & Chile Fiesta
One of Santa Fe's liveliest fall events, the Wine & Chile Fiesta brings together some of the country's best vintners, food and wine experts, chefs, and Santa Fe restaurants for five days of cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, auctions, and wine maker dinners. www.santafewineandchile.org

October 4: St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day
The Nambe Pueblo, located north of Santa Fe, will hold its annual St. Francis of Assisi Feast Day on the saint's traditional day of celebration, October 4. The day honors St. Francis' love of all creatures and is a traditional community festival including food and dancing. Nambe Pueblo, 505-455-2036.

October 3 - 4: El Rancho de Las Golondrinas Harvest Festival
El Rancho de Las Golondrinas is a living museum of Spanish Colonial life and a Santa Fe family favorite. Bring in the harvest with the villagers of El Rancho de Las Golondrinas as they crush grapes for wine by foot, grind sorghum with the help of burros, string colorful ristras, bake bizcochitos (cookies) in the horno (outdoor oven), and turn out tortillas off the comal (flat outdoor grill). Featuring music, dancing, artisans, and much more, Harvest Festival is a fall highlight. www.golondrinas.org

November 1: Day of the Dead/Dia de Muertos
A Halloween tradition at the Museum of International Folk Art. Day of the Dead activities for the whole family include music, refreshments, and a hands-on lesson in making sugar skulls. www.moifa.org

November 12: San Diego Feast Day
Held at the Tesuque Pueblo just outside Santa Fe, this traditional feast day features various dances, food, and a gathering of the community. Tesuque is one of the oldest Pueblos in the Southwest, established about 1250. 505-983-2667




November 26 - Scheduled Opening Date for Ski Santa Fe
Located 16 miles from downtown, the ski area offers terrain for every ability from kids to beginners and intermediates to the most advanced skiers and snowboarders. Chipmunk Corner is a perfect place for children to learn, while the deck at Totemoff''s is the spot for adults on a sunny day. Find out more, www.skisantafe.com

December 2 - 6: Tenth Annual Santa Fe Film Festival
This is one of the fastest growing festivals in North America featuring more than 250 films in a variety of styles and subjects. Parties, lectures, receptions, panels, workshops awards, happy hours, and of course more films than any one person can see make this a late fall highlight and one of Santa Fe's most entertaining five days. www.santafefilmfestival.com

December 12 - 13: Winter Spanish Market
The 21st annual Winter Spanish Market will be held at the Santa Fe Community Convention Center, 201 W. Marcy. The market is a Santa Fe exclusive featuring handcrafted traditional arts by 100 local Hispanic artists, continuous music, art demonstrations, and regional foods. Admission is free to this festival of New Mexico's vibrant Spanish culture. www.spanishmarket.org

December 13 - 22: Santa Fe Desert Chorale Winter Festival 2009
For its twenty-seventh season the highly acclaimed Desert Chorale presents a series of winter concerts including, Carols & Lullabies of the Southwest, A Family Holiday Christmas, and A Hanukkah Celebration. For tickets, performance dates, and times, www.desertchorale.org

The holidays in Santa Fe are always a festive and meaningful end to the year with cultural traditions, seasonal foods, music, and special events. From the many Native American dances performed around Christmas to the Las Posadas outdoor play on the Plaza to tri-cultural celebrations during Christmas at the Palace to the simple pleasure of seeing the city outlined in glowing farolitos (little lights), the holidays in Santa Fe are exceptional. Check the online calendar for details. www.santafe.org/Calendar/December/index.html

For a free Santa Fe Visitors Guide and additional information, contact the Santa Fe Convention & Visitors Bureau at 800-777-2489 or request a guide online and discover everything about Santa Fe at, www.santafe.org.