Ski and Ride Into Town

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.

The Red River Ski and Snowboard Area started with little more than a chairlift, 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 six months to four 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 from almost anywhere in town. And if you come in January, you can enjoy January Bargain Days values — special deals when you buy a 3- or more day lift ticket. Ski and stay packages are available for as low as $53 per person at participating lodges.

Red River Ski and Snowboard Area is also a great place to bring large groups. With special values on lift tickets, lessons and rental equipment for groups larger than 20, it’s perfect for family reunions or business retreats.
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 from beginner or expert. 

One great feature at Red River is the newly redesigned terrain park. Located just off of Broadway about halfway up the Red Chair, the Hollywood Terrain Park features even more jumps, boxes and rails, including a 24-foot rainbow - plus plenty of lessons clinics to help you learn how to ride ‘em!

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, regular visitor writes. “There is something magical about this place for me. My children are starting to feel the same way now.” 

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It’s All Relative

Red River began life as a gold and silver mining town, and became a favorite summer retreat of Texas and Oklahoma ranchers and businessmen. In 1958, an Oklahoman, Stokes E. Bolton, decided the town was in need of a winter attraction. That same year, he and his wife, Billie, constructed Red River’s first chairlift from the surplus steel of old oil derricks. The resort has grown steadily ever since. 

In the mid-1980s, former ski school director Drew Judycki and some partners decided to purchase the resort. Judycki bought out his original partners in 1998, and his family has been running the resort ever since.

“We’re not quite as generational as Taos,” says Lauren Judycki House, Drew’s daughter and the resort’s marketing director, “but that’s definitely one of our goals. That, and carrying on our dad’s vision of what a ski area should be.

“Being family-owned makes Red River so much more intimate,” says Lauren. “Guests get to see, meet, and ultimately know the family that owns the business.”

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