Ski Into Town
Photos by Carl Brown, Southern Exposure Photography
Red River, New Mexico is the quintessential southwestern ski town. It’s steeped in history, the attitude is laid back, people are friendly, and best of all, chairlifts are a short walk from Main Street.
Located in Carson National Forest in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of northern New Mexico, Red River sits at 8,750 feet above sea level and the ski area’s highest peak rises to 10,350 feet above sea level. Only a three-hour drive from Albuquerque, you can wind your way through some of New Mexico’s most majestic terrain and find yourself in historic and beautiful Red River.
In the late 1800s it was a mining boomtown. Hundreds of gold, silver and copper mines were carved into the mountain with names like “Golden Treasure,” “Silver King” and “Black Copper.” The mines eventually played out and by the late 1920s and 1930s, Red River was considered a mountain retreat for visitors looking for a break from the heat. In the 1950s, an Oklahoman by the name of Stokes Bolton opened the ski area.
“There is something
magical about this place.
My children are starting
to feel the same way.”
|
The Red River Ski and Snowboard Area started with little more than a chairlift built out of old oil derricks, a T-bar lift and a rope tow. It now has 290 acres of rideable terrain, a vertical drop of 1,600 feet and seven lifts, including the “Platinum” chair, accessible right from the middle of town. It was even voted one of the top ten ski resorts by Sunset Magazine in 2006. The mountain also has three terrain parks for freestyle skiers and snowboarders. The Buckaroo Child Care Facility accepts children from 6 months to 4 years old. And the resort offers private and group lessons for children and adults.
Not into alpine skiing and snowboarding? No worries. The
Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Area, located just five minutes away, has miles of beautiful trails to explore and is equally accommodating to families. Red River Ski Area also offers guided backcountry snowmobile tours and a tubing hill.
On most Saturdays at nightfall, a torchlight parade winds its way down the slopes. It can be seen almost anywhere in town. And if you come in January, you can enjoy January Bargain Days discounts.
Red River Ski Area is also a great place to bring large groups. With special discounts on lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment for groups larger than 20, it’s perfect for family reunions or business retreats.
What’s new at Red River? This season the resort is ramping up its grooming and snowmaking to make the runs the best they can be for its guests. A new set of lift ticket kiosks makes getting an early start super convenient. It has also extended its Hollywood Terrain Park to better serve freestyle fans, and has replaced the Baby Blue (learning hill) chairlift with a new surface lift.
Skiers and snowboarders of all levels feel at home here, which is why Red River is “The Place to Learn.” Lessons are available for everyone, whether beginner or expert.
Red River has a variety of mountain lodges, B&Bs, condominiums and fully furnished cabin rentals to fit any budget or group size. Entertainment suits all tastes, and everything is within walking distance in Red River.
What families find most appealing about Red River is the small town feel of safety and family-friendliness.
“I started going to Red River as a child,” a Garland, Texas, visitor writes. “There is something magical about this place for me. My children are starting to feel the same way now.”
Red Chair photo by Debbie Torbett
For Stephanie Davis and her family, this year will mark their 50th Red River anniversary for both summer and winter getaways. “If everything goes right,” says Stephanie, “we thought we would start it off with a ski vacation around Christmas time.” Stephanie’s children and three of her four grandchildren all love to ski. “The oldest one would live on skis,” she says.
Stephanie first visited Red River with her sister and parents in the summer of 1961. “We stayed at Aspen Park outside of town,” she says, “and to cook we had to start a fire in the stove.”
“The ride on the old red chair in the summer was always awesome,” she recalls. When Stephanie’s father passed away five years ago, Stephanie bought three of the old, red lift chairs (above) with the idea of turning them into swings — something to remind her of her father and Red River.
“What else do I love about Red River? Where should I start? The ride to Red River when I see the first glimpse of the mountains; the drive up Cimarron Canyon, and the last turn around the mountain when beautiful Red River comes into view; the small mountain town nestled in the pines; the ride down Main Street where I love to shop … there is just so much to do! I wish I could make it to every single thing that is going on. Maybe someday I can.”
