New Mexico's largest city is a study in contracts: old and new, natural beauty and manmade wonders, frontier town and sophisticated metropolis. Even the landscape which accommodated both majestic mountains and vast desert plains reveals the areas diversity. Albuquerque is also blessed with a wide cultural mix that is reflected in all aspects of day-to-day life. Distinctive cuisine, sizzling salsa bands and high-energy festivals reveal the city's strong Mexican influence. During the winter months, excellent skiing attracts visitors from around the world, in the spring and summer, outdoor enthusiasts can explore a range of recreational activities. points of interest include historic Old Town trendy Nov Hill, Sandia Peak tramway, the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, and a number of fine museums and historical monuments. Albuquerque is also home to the University of New Mexico