Ruidoso

4,587 Views | 42 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by awh
aTm papi
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I'll be going there for the first time in late December. Anyone have any advice? I'll be driving a FWD Honda Pilot up there. Thanks again!
jpb1999
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AG
Ha, speaking of Ruidoso, I think we just decided to go next Christmas... any recs on a nice house for about 15 people? Do they have houses that big on the mountain or any ski in ski outs?

I have never been, is there a nice downtown or a place with cool things to do or see when not skiing?

Sorry to piggyback on your thread, but thought it would better than to create 2 threads on Ruidoso...
aTm papi
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My buddy's father has a rental up there. I'll definitely ask him how many it sleeps.
Al Bula
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AG
The downtown area is kinda hit or miss. If you're with chick who like to shop then they will Probably enjoy it. There are some trashy bars to hang out in, which i have no problem doing. Win Place Show is a good and rundown bar but it has been 5 years since I was there.

You can make the drive out to White Oak to the No Scum Allowed saloon. Pretty desert driving. Cloudcroft is nearby but not much to do their in my opinion... Inn of the Mountain Gods casino is kinda lame.
aTm papi
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Will I need tire chains during that particular time of year?
Win At Life
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AG
There is no lodging at the ski basin. Last year there was no snow in December and the mountain was closed except for the bunny slope. Check the snow report. The are south and will not too infrequently have no snow.

If they have snow the road up there is long, steep and narrow, but they clean it regularly because they know that's the only way they can stay in business. Probably don't need chains if you bring a fair amount of common sense.

I use VRBO for houses and you can search on min number of guests. There are a few big ones, if they're not already booked.

Shopping in town is always a thing. The casino if you're into that. Last year we went horseback riding instead of skiing due to no snow.
jpb1999
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AG
Thanks! When will there for sure have skiable snow?

If not Ruidoso, where is next closest "best" place to ski from Central Texas? Have kids from 2 to 10 so trying to avoid long long driving...
Win At Life
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AG
Santa Fe is probably the next closest that will likely have good snow. Also have to stay in town and drive up each day. The old town area and old churches are usually good for a day tour as a break from skiing
Win At Life
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AG
Ruidoso is never guaranteed to have snow, but more likely later than earlier. A few years ago it all melted by spring break. We got lucky that year and went on New Years
kwammer
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think it might be better to go ahead and book something in Colorado so that you know you will be able to ski.
Peace of mind is probably worth the extra driving time.
histag10
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AG
jpb1999 said:

Thanks! When will there for sure have skiable snow?

If not Ruidoso, where is next closest "best" place to ski from Central Texas? Have kids from 2 to 10 so trying to avoid long long driving...


If you are taking a 2 year old and 10 year old skiing, it may be worth the extra few hours to angelfire. The lifts are basically in the middle of town, and it's known for being a beginner mountain.

If the kids get tired/ need a break, its not a 30 minute drive down the mountain and back to the hotel or anywhere else.
histag10
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AG
kwammer said:

think it might be better to go ahead and book something in Colorado so that you know you will be able to ski.
Peace of mind is probably worth the extra driving time.

Northern NM always has snow. I have never seen Angelfire or Taos without snow. As far as this year goes, they already have a pretty decent base. Both will also be a considerably shorter drive than southern Colorado.
Wgator
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AG
I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but the northern NM areas have very little snow right now. What little they do have is man-made.
histag10
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AG
Wgator said:

I'm not sure where you're getting your information, but the northern NM areas have very little snow right now. What little they do have is man-made.


From my in-laws, who live in the mountains between Angelfire and Taos. They have had quite a bit of snow and say up on the mountain there has been a lot.
Hamburger Dan
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We were in Taos the first weekend in October, some snow in the mountains then, but not much. But that's been awhile.
Hamburger Dan
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Do your in laws live there permanently or have just a vacation home? Eventually, I'm going to live in Northern New Mexico, and Taos is my desired area. We live in West Texas now, but I would like to be able to spend 5/6 months up there. I check real estate listings on a regular basis to see what is available and what it might cost.
wildcat08
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AG
We live in Angel Fire. It's been very dry the last few weeks. Taos may have had a little more than AF, but I would agree that for the ski areas here (or close) it's manmade or slim pickings, at least right now. Hopefully that will change by Christmas.
jpb1999
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AG
Thanks for the info!

So it sounds like Angelfire it is!

Does anyone have any accommodation recs for 8 adults and 7 kids from 2 to 10 years old? Would like a nice house or condo with Mountain View's or on the mountain, ski in ski out would be great or at least a very short drive to ski!

I am also about to hit sites like VRBO to see what is out there. Just need to know if some locations are better than others...
histag10
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AG
Hamburger Dan said:

Do your in laws live there permanently or have just a vacation home? Eventually, I'm going to live in Northern New Mexico, and Taos is my desired area. We live in West Texas now, but I would like to be able to spend 5/6 months up there. I check real estate listings on a regular basis to see what is available and what it might cost.


Permanently. They built their retirement home there in the pass between AF and Taos. From what they say, it's not cheap. My husband's aunt and uncle are selling their place there. They renovated a historic home in Santa Fe and moved there permanently
wildcat08
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AG
As noted, we live there. If you have questions, email me at my gmail account (sferguson702).
Hamburger Dan
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Thank you for the info. One day.
Philo B 93
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How does Red River compare to Angel Fire and Taos, particularly this December which looks a little dry in that whole area?
Skitch05
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AG
FWIW, I was up in Angel Fire over Thanksgiving and can second what Wildcat said. There was no snow, although I do understand they may have received a small amount earlier this week. I skiied opening day at Taos on Thanksgiving day and it was man-made snow only on the lower mountain greens (Pioneer Lift).
Skitch05
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AG
Red River and Angel Fire are fairly comparable as far as the in bounds ski terrain goes. Both are good beginner/intermediate mountains and generally get similar snow.

Taos is a bigger mountain and almost always has better snow than RR/AF (but generally not as much as Colorado). It is definitely more advanced than RR/AF. Taos does have some easy ways down the mountain and an excellent ski school, but it would be a bit intimidating for a beginner. If you are a more advanced skiier, don't mind hiking for your turns, and catch it on a good powder day though, you will be hard pressed to find a better place to ski (mostly due to the fact that it is never very crowded, even on powder days).

Taos Ski Valley sits right in the middle of the Wheeler Peak group (tallest peak in NM), and is at a higher elevation, so it catches more snowfall than the others surrounding resorts. That's a generality of course and not always accurate, but it is a better bet to have better snow.
Mike Winchell
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AG
https://imgur.com/gallery/i8MAw
Mike Winchell
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AG
https://imgur.com/gallery/i8MAw
histag10
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AG
that was random. and really random to add to this thread....
Philo B 93
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If there is no significant snow in New Mexico by Christmas, what is the skiing like in the area on man made snow? I'm mostly curious about Ref River.
Skitch05
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AG
If there is no significant natural snow, the week after Christmas is going to be pretty bad at AF and RR (and probably TSV too). That is one of the busiest weeks of the year, and with only man-made snow everyone will be confined to the limited terrain that is open. Expect long lift lines and limited, crowded slopes.

That said, I will be there. We have a trip planned to AF, but I will be making the drive to TSV as often as I can for the better conditions (and to eat/drink at the Bavarian).
water turkey
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My FIL is a long time realtor in Ruidoso. Let me know if you have any questions and I can ask him.

Snow is hit or miss. Can be very good though during a wet year.
histag10
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AG
Get excited! There is officially snow (from the heavens above) in the forecast for northern NM this weekend!
JSKolache
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AG
Neat town, shops for the ladies, beer joints for the guys. Good hiking all around. Par 3 golf course. Several casinos, from fancier on down to truckstop-style, and live horse racing in the summers. Went last July and had a great time.
aggiepaintrain
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AG
anyone have any updates for end of december 2018? Have room reserved, weather looks decent 20's/40's
any snow currently???

water turkey
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We're driving up there Friday. I'll post a snow report.

You can go to Ski Apache website got a snow update.
aggiepaintrain
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AG
thanks
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