Skiing in New Mexico with family preXMAS questions

C

chitwood

250+ Posts
Oh board of great wisdom, I have a few questions. I'm planning on taking my family on their first ski trip (kids are 7,7 and 5) this year right before Christmas. We may go to Winter Park, CO, as you can fly nonstop on Southwest quite cheaply to Denver and the drive is not bad from there. Plus, WP is fairly reasonable, especially for a ski-in/ski-out condo.. The other option we are exploring is New Mexico, as we could make that drive from Austin fairly easily, saving good chunks of change. I have heard that Angel Fire is no good that time of year, as the snow is sketchy. I think Taos is too advanced for a first trip (I'm a pretty ****** skier myself). Thoughts on Ski Apache near Ruidoso? It would be the shortest drive, and I've heard good things about Inn of the Mountain Gods. The drawback of Apache, or Sante Fe for that matter, is there are no slopeside accomodations, but that isn't a huge deal. Thoughts?
One thing in addition, I plan on putting the kids in one or two days of ski school. Any knowledge on the schools there?
 
If the kids are just learning, I think Angel Fire has enough snow machines to keep the lower runs open.

If you're flying to Denver, I like Keystone. Ski in/out much more reasonable than others in Summit County, it's much less crowded than Breck, it still has a nice little town, and the bunny slope/ski school are is pretty good.
 
Thanks. I just checked out Red River, that looks promising.

Brooks, I've been to Keystone in the summer and love it. I guess that drive probably isn't much more than Winter Park.
 
My family has a house outside Red River and we have been going up there for 20+ years. The snow can be kind of sketchy before Christmas in that area and is something to consider. We usually wait and go toward the end of Jan. or early Feb. Taos has a good ski school for kids, but it might not be as much fun for the adults if you aren't an experienced skier. Angel Fire is a good all around mountain, but it does get REALLY crowded around holidays. Red River is smaller and doesn't get as crowded, but is good for families. The ski area is right in the middle of town as well with logding, restaurants, a couple of bars, etc. all within walking distance. Just a few things to think about.
 
As Monster stated, it should be stressed that NM ski resorts are very hit or miss, especially early in the season.

If you are committed to preChristmas, I would skip NM.
 
Yeah, after talking to a few people, it looks like Colorado. Now I just need to decide if we are going to fly or drive. Probably Winter Park or Keystone, I think.
 
ski apache still has the slower chairlifts too right? Last time I was there they didnt have many high speed lifts.
Pike
 
Ski Apache is good for beginners. Inn of the Mountain Gods is beautiful as well.

But, like others have said...snow can be very sketchy (or non-existent) early like that.

Easy drive from Austin, though. We went two years ago in February and there was plenty of snow on the mountain. Not much down in town, though.
 
For what it is worth, I would still put in 2 cents for Red River, NM. I am biased as I have been going there for my entire life, although mainly as a summer destination.
As far as skiing goes they have a great wide space for kids to learn on, and their main run has tons of snow machines on it. Also, the further north you get in NM the greater chance of better snow, and RR is about as far north a spot as you can get. Natural snow conditions at Taos, AngelFire, and RR are ususally pretty similar, but RR has by far the best snow making capability. Yeah, it is the fake stuff, but I bet your kids can't tell.
Also, there is LOTS of lodging very near the base of the major lifts and it is much cheaper than most places in CO. It is all about what you would rather do, and what you can afford to do, but I wouldn't count out RR. It is a VERY small town, but I have enjoyed going there since I was 2, and my daughter loves it, and she has been going since she was 6 months old!
 
Thanks for all the info, guys, I ended up booking at Taos. I talked to a couple of friends, and they said that although it is a tougher mountain, they have a good ski school and enough beginner runs for the little ones. Also found a nice ski in ski out condo.
 
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