Arteaga, Coahuila

The small town of Arteaga is located just 18 km to the east of Saltillo.

Arteaga resembles an oasis in the middle of the desert area, which conquers travelers with beautiful landscapes of forests, fruit flavors, and an impressive mountain range, affectionately called “Little Switzerland”.

Walk through the quiet cobbled streets, try tasty regional cuisine, and visit the temple of San Isidoro Labrador, next to which there are souvenir shops with authentic products. And, of course, climb the mountains.

Copper Canyon, Chihuahua

The Copper Canyon (“Barranca del Cobre”) is a chain of canyons in the Sierra Tarahumara in the state of Chihuahua. It is one of the most remote places in Mexico due to its location in the Tarahumara Mountain range.

From here you can enjoy an incredible view of the snow-capped mountain peaks!

The numerous waterfalls and hot springs of Najeno Copper Canyon region are hidden from curious tourists’ eyes. You can reach these nature wonders on foot on your own, or with a guided tour (on horseback or donkeys).

Spending the night under the open star sky on countless sandy islands is magic.

There are enough travelers and tourists in the region, but it is not crowded. Most likely, small towns maintain the right balance: there are enough visitors, so you can meet like-minded people and go on expeditions together.

Mexiquillo, Durango

Mexiquillo is a very attractive nature park for mountain lovers.

Mexiquillo is located in the west of the state of Durango. A significant part of its territory is covered by virgin coniferous forest with several endemic species of pine trees, as well as ravines, tunnels, canyons, and waterfalls.

The park is not included in the national park system of Mexico, nor is it a natural monument, but it is of interest to tourists due to the opportunities for active recreation: tracking, horseback riding, mountain biking, rock climbing, and kayaking down rivers.

In 1981, in the Mexiquillo, Ringo Starr starred in the movie “The Caveman”.

Sombrerete, Zacatecas

Not far from the large city of Zacatecas is one of the oldest cities in Mexico – Sombrerete, founded in 1555. It is worth noting that the city of Sombrerete has preserved its unique cultural and historical heritage to this day.

The grandeur of the architectural monuments, a large number of interesting sights, snow-capped mountains, caves, and ancient gold mines have made Sombrerete one of the most popular tourist destinations.

Nevado de Toluca, State of Mexico

Nevado de Toluca is the 4th highest volcano in Mexico. It is located about 80 km west of Mexico City, on the territory of a national park also named Nevado de Toluca (after the volcano).

The volcano is a popular destination for sledding and a variety of improvised means. This is one of the few places in Mexico where there is snow not only in winter but when the temperature and humidity contribute to it.

Before you go make sure you don’t need a visa

The Mexico Tourist Card is a travel document introduced in 2015 to increase tourism. Travelers from some countries have the opportunity to obtain an electronic permit to enter Mexico online with the Natvisa service.

The key advantage of this document is saving time that you previously spent visiting the embassy or visa center. The card is also linked to your passport, so you can go through all migration procedures at the airport.

Please note that the Mexico Tourist Card does not have visa status. Passport holders from some countries may still need a visa in addition to the Mexico Tourist Card to have a comfortable and legal stay in Mexico.

Mexico is the embodiment of an ideal tourist destination for a holiday.

The country meets the most optimistic expectations of travelers and impresses with unexpected discoveries. Holidays in Mexico is not only tequila, Mexicans in sombreros, and human-sized cacti, but also ski resorts!

Although there are no records of settlers before the establishment of the town of La Ciudad, it is known of the presence of indigenous groups that toured the Sierra Madre Occidental before the construction of sawmills for the use of the forest.

During the visionary administration of President Adolfo López Mateos, the monumental construction of the Durango – Pacifico railroad plan commenced, closely resembling the current iconic Chihuahua – Pacifico railroad project.

Around 1960, the town of La Ciudad emerged as a temporary settlement for railway builders and workers due to the establishment of numerous sawmills in the vicinity.

Several tunnels that pierce through the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental were built for this purpose.

The project never concluded because another similar project, the Durango – Mazatlan highway became a more reliable and less expensive project that would communicate the coast with the state capital.

But the tunnels remain and have become one of Mexiquillo’s top attractions.

Towards the end of the government of President López Mateos, the railway plan was canceled and it was decided to continue the road that would finish being built towards the end of the period.

The town of La Ciudad remained on the route of the new road, while the embankments and tunnels remained through the railroad track.

Over time, there were more and more visitors willing to walk to admire the waterfalls from the embankments and tunnels that the project left unfinished, and thus the idea of ​​converting the site into a natural park and at the same time into a tourist development.

Proudly known as “The Spine of the Devil”, the Sierra Madre mountain range presents visitors with the stunning panorama known as Mexiquillo Canyon. Over 8,000 feet deep, this canyon’s amazing beauty draws travelers from all over the world.

The beautiful Mexiquillo waterfall, where the river crosses one of the long-defunct railroad tunnels, and stunning panoramic vistas of Mexiquillo’s canyons, where the entire scene is covered by a green carpet of foliage.

Among the most significant attractions of the place are:

Rock formations: There are numerous rock formations exceed 7 and even 8 meters high In the plains of the park. These formations are constituted by extrusive igneous rock, and to a lesser extent, rhyolite.

There are also some formations of basalt and plutonic rock. This area of ​​the park is known by the locals as “Garden of Stones” alluding to the unique arrangement of the rocks through clearings in the forest.

Waterfalls: There are numerous waterfalls in the park. Some of them are not close to the common route of visitors. The best known is the Mexiquillo waterfall which is 20 m high. The 3 main rivers that cross the park have different waterfalls that exceed 50 m.

Tunnels: Part of the main route of the place is the route of a road commonly called an “embankment”. This road was enabled through the forest to carry the railroad tracks, and, in the steep parts, tunnels were built to save the difficult terrain of a draw.

In Mexiquillo there are nine main tunnels, all with an amplitude of 5 meters and a height of 6 meters to facilitate the passage of the unbuilt railway, the lengths range from 100 m to 1.68 km.

They are built as barrel vaults. It is highly recommended to use flashlights in its path since visibility is lost inside. The last tunnel was blocked in 2009 by a landslide in the rainy season.

Forest: The forest of the place is very dense, with a lot of variation in vegetation due to microclimates caused by topography and altitude.

In the vastness of the forest, you will find several waterfalls of all sizes. The most stunning of all is known as Cascada de Mexiquillo, a 65-foot fall that you can rappel over.

La Ciudad River is the main body of water crossing through the natural park. You may want to just sit and admire it but, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can’t miss the experience of rowing down on board a kayak.

Bring food. There aren’t any stores –remember, this is a mostly virgin area.

You will only find one restaurant on the whole site, which serves “quesadillas” and “gorditas”, but you’re better off preparing some food beforehand or bringing everything that you need to cook some.

Prepare for the weather. Sunscreen, raincoats, jackets, and coats are some of the items that you must pack before your trip to Mexiquillo.

Mexiquillo is close to the town of La Ciudad, from the capital city of Victoria de Durango, it is approximately 135 km west.

The entrance to Mexiquillo Natural Park is located at the 145th km of federal highway number 40 (also known as the Durango-Mazatlan highway), inside La Ciudad Ejido in the municipality of Pueblo Nuevo.

From the main town of La Ciudad, you can catch a bus and a tour guide that will show you around the place.

In this town the movie Caveman was filmed in 1981, starring Ringo Starr. Films were also filmed there like Cuchillo with Andrés García, Dragon Ball Evolution, Gavilan de la Sierra, and Pueblo de Madera with Mario Almada.

Often the place is illuminated with the magical presence of the waiter, barbecue, and cook (Mexican food) known by the locals and hosts of the main parties of the place as “el guiyo”.

Coming from Torreón Coahuila and known for the charisma and good treatment offered to his clients “el guiyo” considers Mexiquillo as his second home.

These are possibly the snowiest places you can visit in Mexico. These destinations offer a unique combination of winter wonder and Mexican charm, making them ideal for those looking for a snowy vacation in Mexico.

All these destinations offer a unique winter experience and enchanting natural beauty.

Monterreal, Coahuila

Monterreal, located in the Coahuila highlands near Arteaga, is Mexico’s premier ski resort.

In winter, especially from December to January, this area turns into a snowy paradise. Enjoy skiing or snowboarding on the slopes of Monterreal while taking in breathtaking views of the Sierra Madre Oriental Mountains surrounding you.

Arteaga, Coahuila

Arteaga is a small cozy town on the outskirts of Saltillo. Known as the “Switzerland of Mexico,” Arteaga exudes a charming winter vibe. Stay here for a winter weekend and explore quaint streets and snow-covered landscapes.

Copper Canyon, Chihuahua

Copper Canyon becomes a winter wonderland, best seen from the Chepe passenger train passing through the Sierra Tarahumara. Snow-covered pine trees, frozen lakes, and periodic snowfalls create a magical scene.

Creel, Chihuahua

Creel is a charming town on the Chepe Route, to see snow-covered views, frozen waterfalls, and the serene beauty of winter in the Sierra Tarahumara. Visit Creel in winter to see snowy pines, waterfalls, and frozen lakes.

Mexiquillo, Durango

Mexillo National Park, located in the Sierra Madre, attracts adventurers and nature lovers.

Frost-covered landscapes, abandoned tunnels, and icy waterfalls await exploration. Adventurers and nature lovers will enjoy rock climbing and hiking along the many trails of Mexico National Park in their winter gear.

Sombrerete, Zacatecas

Sombrereteis an old mining town is full of charm and colonial architecture. Sombrerete turns into a snow-covered paradise in winter. Stroll along the cobbled streets and admire the picturesque churches set against a white backdrop.

The city’s colonial buildings offer visitors a winter landscape rarely seen in Mexico.

Nevado de Toluca, State of Mexico

For extreme adventure seekers, the stratovolcano Nevado de Toluca offers an exciting winter playground. Stroll along snow-covered trails of the volcano slopes and enjoy panoramic views from this towering stratovolcano.

La Malinche (Malintzin), Tlaxcala

La Malinche National Park, located next to the Puebla-Tlaxcala Valley, is ideal for year-round outdoor activities. The park’s natural beauty is especially noticeable when it is covered with white snow during the cold winter months.

Popocatepetl and Iztaccihuatl

These two majestic volcanoes are a challenging adventure for experienced climbers and hikers, especially Popocatepetl. Both volcanoes are not for beginners – it is best to explore them only if you already have some experience.

Pico de Orizaba

Pico de Orizaba is the highest peak in Mexico to climb and admire the unparalleled snowy landscapes. Due to the dizzying heights and challenging terrain, this adventure is designed for those who do not suffer from vertigo.

Mexico City is located in a valley surrounded by large mountain ranges.

These mountain ranges act as a barrier to the cold air needed to form snow. The city’s low altitude and a subtropical high-altitude climate zone also contribute to milder temperatures, making it less favorable to snowfall.

Snow has occurred only a few times in Mexico City’s entire history. These snowfalls are usually very significant events and are often accompanied by excitement and amazement from the residents and tourists.

One of the recorded snowfalls in Mexico City occurred on March 5, 1940. The next time it snowed was 27 years later, on January 12, 1967, when 5 cm of snow fell in the center of Mexico City and the historic center.

Since these rare climate events, Mexico City has experienced several more notable snowfalls in 2007, 2016, and 2020. All of these events resulted in light to moderate snowfall only in various parts of Mexico City.

Although snowfall is a rare occurrence in Mexico City, it is more common in the surrounding mountainous areas, where higher elevations and cooler temperatures create more favorable conditions for snow formation.

On mountain peaks and volcanoes of the Valley of Mexico, the thickness of snow ranges from 12 to 25 cm. These areas experience annual snowfall on the high elevations, but such events are usually isolated from Mexico City.

Mexico City typically experiences moderate to warm temperatures throughout the year. The city’s climate was relatively stable in terms of temperature and precipitation, with snowfall occurring on only a few occasions.

Usually, snow requires certain temperature conditions to form, usually around or below freezing. Average temperatures in Mexico City rarely drop low enough to support snow formation, especially in the city center.

The urban heat island effect, caused by the concentration of buildings and human activity, can further increase temperatures. This effect can prevent the formation and accumulation of snow even during cold weather.