The wife and I randomly decided to take our boys(6&9) on a road trip on Christmas weekend and need a little advice. My wife wants the boys to see a little bit of snow to go tubing, snow angels, build snowman etc, but not sure which location is best. I was looking at Ruidoso with Winter Park for activities or Cloudcroft with Ski Cloudcroft. Any thoughts on either of these places or something similar?

Current schedule:
-12/25 Christmas Day depart Katy around Noon with a stop in San Angelo or Big Spring for the night
-Go to movies that evening and watch Sonic the Hedgehog
-12/26 Drive to Carlsbad Caverns for tour, then drive to destination in NM
-12/27 Snow/local activities
-12/28 Snow/local activities then leave in the afternoon with stop halfway to stay with friends
-12/29 Arrive home

That sounds like a fun trip. I would just try to figure out which place has more or any snow. In readoso, they do make snow at the tubing place, but it can get crowded.

Hotel settles in big spring has been a great place to stay for us on similar trips.

Make sure to schedule with Carlsbad NP. They can get busy, I have heard. You can do this on their website.

Advantage to San Angelo, Fort Concho is a cool restored fort that the boys might enjoy, and it's closer to Katy.

Ruidoso is very popular with West Texas crowd. Half the people there will be from Lubbock.

I'd say the chance of snow in either Cloudcroft or Ruidoso is 50/50. But they are close together, so maybe you could go from one to the other.

If no snow, there is a pretty decent space museum in Alamogordo, and White Sands is not far. If in Ruidoso, Fort Stanton is interesting, and there are some cool Billy the Kid sites in nearby Lincoln.

McDonalds Observatory would be really cool for a star watching party either there or on way back

Wicked Good Ag said:

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McDonalds Observatory would be really cool for a star watching party either there or on way back

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Edit i went to website,,,sold out for 26th-28th dates unfortunately

Thank y'all for the info!

How far north do I need to go to be more guaranteed to see snow around that time? Would Santa Fe work or do I need to be closer to Taos area?

Thanks!

IMO, stated here often, you either need to plan a trip to Southern NM or Northern NM. Both in one short trip is a butt kicking.

I believe that northern NM has gotten some early snow, perhaps it will stay, but I think we are in a La Nina, therefore going to be dry.

https://www.onthesnow.com/new-mexico/skireport

Most resorts have maybe a foot f snow, and are from 1-20% open

Ski Cloudcroft will be making snow

https://skicloudcroft.net

If you're set on Carlsbad Caverns, get a timed reservation in advance. They do sell out.

Cloudcroft>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ruidoso. Any time of year.

Thanks everyone for the info! Think we're leaning Cloudcroft with a stop at Carlsbad caverns.

for everyone in the know how does cloudcroft compare to red river in the summertime?

Stupid Sexy Flanders said:

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Thanks everyone for the info! Think we're leaning Cloudcroft with a stop at Carlsbad caverns.

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And if you don't have snow, you can ski White Sands.

South of Cloudcroft, sunspot observatory

https://sunspot.solar/visit/

In Alamogordo, space museum

https://nmspacemuseum.org/

42 minutes from Cloudcroft, White Sands National Park

https://www.nps.gov/whsa/index.htm

An hour and 15 minutes away from Cloudcroft, Missile Museum

https://wsmrmuseum.com/

This is great! Thank you so much!

Stupid Sexy Flanders said:

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This is great! Thank you so much!

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Note that Cloucroft doesn't have a grocery store. Just a Family Dollar.

94chem said:

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Stupid Sexy Flanders said:

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This is great! Thank you so much!

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Note that Cloucroft doesn't have a grocery store. Just a Family Dollar.

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Short drive to Walmart & Albertson's in Alamogordo. Also the High Rolls General Store has some stuff as well.

BurnetAggie99 said:

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94chem said:

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Stupid Sexy Flanders said:

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This is great! Thank you so much!

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Note that Cloucroft doesn't have a grocery store. Just a Family Dollar.

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Short drive to Walmart & Albertson's in Alamogordo. Also the High Rolls General Store has some stuff as well.

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Sure, all the way down the mountain. Worth it if you're heading to White Sands or provisioning for a week.

Something to keep an eye on, Ski Cloudcroft hadn't started making snow yet as of yesterday and forecast for natural snow looks bleak. GFS has nada 15 days out, Euro had been showing nothing but now has a small storm midweek next week.

Ruidoso Winter Park is making snow and has been partially open on the weekends so far, if Ski Cloudcroft doesn't get going that might be your only option.

For either place expect them to be crazy busy that week. We are more familiar with Winter Park, typically the earlier you get there the better to beat the crowds and avoid the slush if it winds up getting warm.

Edit: Both Cloudcroft and Ruidoso will have outdoor ice skating rinks running as well.

We should only be in Cloudcroft for about 48 hours and I always travel with a cooler and essentials on road trips, so we should be good not needing to go to a grocery store.

CanyonAg77 said:

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AustinCountyAg said:

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for everyone in the know how does cloudcroft compare to red river in the summertime?

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Cloudcroft is much smaller, less to do.

I grew up going to Red River, it's been a redneck Texan play area for over 100 years. Really geared toward families.

Both are about the same elevation, but Red River is 300 miles further north, so it will likely be cooler.

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This is putting it nicely. If you aren't just skiing or hunting there's practically nothing to do. The fact there isn't even a place to groceries should help emphasize this.

Quote:

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This is putting it nicely

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I was trying to be nice.




I was allowing for the fact that I've spent maybe 3-4 nights in Cloudcroft, and 40-50 nights in RR over my life. So I can recommend RR, but hate to cut down CC since I don't have a lot of time there.

AgLA06 said:

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94chem said:

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Cloudcroft>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Ruidoso. Any time of year.

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The only way I see this as accurate is if you don't plan to leave a rocking chair.

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Hiking in the Lincoln National Forest. Ruidoso is hot in the summer, Cloudcroft isn't. Ruidoso has bumper to bumper traffic, Cloudcroft doesn't. I go so I can get outdoors at 9000 feet. Same reason I love Leadville. To each his own, but I just love the fact that I can drive from Houston hell in one moderate mileage day and be on top of a legit mountain.

I think both have their own advantages, and which makes for a better trip depends on the person and what they are wanting to do. We considered both but ultimately chose to live in Ruidoso, mainly due to more stuff to do and more conveniences for every day living. Still love Cloudcroft too and make several day trips a year.

So looks like we're making a 180 and going to Branson instead. We're going to hold off on seeing snow for next year when we can plan a little better and not rush. Thanks everyone for the info and heated debate!

No big deal. These discussions are always great planning devices for all concerned.

Next up - Taos vs Red River!

94chem said:

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Next up - Taos vs Red River!

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I already said Red River is for Red Necks. That's my choice.

Red River is more my pace, but I do love Wheeler Peak, and just stay out of the over-priced stuff in Taos and Angel Fire. Probably need to go fishing in Red River sometime.

If you enjoy being around Wackos Taos is for you.

tmaggies said:

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If you enjoy being around Wackos Taos is for you.

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Shame cause some great hunting/outdoor/scenic country but it's 100% a liberal enclave