-and-
Regardless of the time period, the dune field has always been a place to recreate creatively.
Source: White Sands National Park (via Facebook)
Photos: Courtesy National Parks Service
Welcome back to another edition of “Photos that Make Us Go ‘Hmmmm…’ 
“
Nope, that’s not Sierra Blanca or the Taos Ski Valley! This young woman is skiing down a sand dune!
The gypsum sand of White Sands National Park may be powdery white but is nothing close to snow. Despite the grand difference between gypsum sand dunes and steep snowcapped mountainsides, people have historically attempted to force winter sports onto our unique desert environment. While sledding down the dunes has stuck around, skiing is a rarer sight. However, these days you can rent sand boards, which are similar to snowboards, and glide down the dunes in style. If you look at the second and third photo you can see a more modern attempt at skiing down a sand dune, with an unfortunate face-plant ending. Regardless of the time period, the dune field has always been a place to recreate creatively.
June is National Get Outdoors month! If you want to get outside, come to White Sands National Park: sledding, volleyball, soccer, football, ultimate frisbee, you name it and it’s likely been played within the dune field!
Recreate safely and remember that anything that enters the park with you, must leave with you. Leave no trace.
Attention photographers, eager fiancés, soon to be parents, and new graduates!!!
We love that life is putting forth so many new beginnings for you, with your futures so bright we would hate to dampen them by issuing you a ticket for littering in a national park…
Planning a gender reveal for the new addition? Consider a reveal option that does not involve spreading colorful confetti around the dune field, maybe cutting into a cake would be a better option!
Planning on proposing with a heart made out of roses sticking out of the sand? Soooo cute and original, congratulations!! However, take the roses home with you.
Got props for graduation pics? Sparkly confetti maybe, or shiny ballons? They may be as bright as your future, but we don’t want its remnants sparkling on the sand dunes.
What may make for beautiful photos also makes for a lifetime of litter. Taking photos here to hallmark special occasions is a staple for anyone who lives in southern New Mexico, and we encourage you to keep it up. After all, it is a stunning place and provides the perfect backdrop to put you at the center of your images. However, we ask that you please take your photos responsibly. Keep props to a minimum, and ensure you take everything you brought into the dune field with you, out of the dune field.
Leave it better than you found it. Leave no trace.
