Where to find some snow...(getaway ideas)

[Rchr]

I am in Artesia, NM. now about 1.5 hrs from Ruidoso, and yea this year is not a really good year for snow. Like they said not all the lifts are working and there are some bald spots on a couple of the runs. There is snow but not really enough to do alot of skiing.

Where is Red River?


Rchr

[keep]

Hey Johnny....

I like Ruidoso, but of all the places to go, I would put that at the bottom of the list. You have to drive up and down that dang mountain everyday if you are going to ski... or get to the good snow. All can be great and wonderful as long as the weather is good. If you get caught up there in bad weather....coming down the mountain is NOT fun.

Taos is a great place, and I have heard very good things about Angel Fire..... never been there, though. Of these two, Angel Fire would be closer.


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Johnny
Just a heads up on Ruioso. I have been waiting to go on a mt lion hunt right there by Ruidoso and the guide wants it to have a layer of snow first. They haven't had any yet, to speak of. We have been waiting since mid nov. Not sure when it going to hit either, we're packed and on call. Our guide drove up to 10k and it didn't have snow and he only lives 30 mins north of Ruioso. You may look for someplace else just because of he snow. I don't ski so I can't tell you about that part.

[Tmag]

There is a place in Colorado that has a good bit of snow right now but it's on the west side of the divide. Little town called Pitkin. Website is http://www.pitkincolorado.com/index.htm

North eastern New Mexico is gonna be your best bet on a short drive for mountains. The Panhandle or Oklahoma for just snow.

[Sackett]

Johnny,

Red River will probably be best suited for y'alls needs. Ruidoso and Taos are not the prettiest towns unless there's a blanket of snow to cover up all the trash. The skiing at Taos is great for intermediate-experience skiiers. Red River will have more of an opportunity for you and your family to tube, see wildlife, etc...

Now, to throw a monkey wrench into it. If you really want to get the best of all of what you're looking for and you're already willing to drive to Taos, i'd go a little bit further and go to Durango, CO. There is so much more to offer you there than you can do at Taos, Red River, Ruidoso or Angle Fire combined and it's only 200 miles further than Red River/Taos. There's Mesa Verde National Park where you can see tons of animals, cave dwellings, awesome views. There's the Durango Mountain Train (best value in CO!). There's Durango Mtn. Resort that has ton's of kid-freindly snow activities. The town of Durango is clean with ton's of things to see and do.

Since you'll be staying for a week, it'd definitely be worth the extra drive-time, I promise!

[Sackett]

We stayed here at this place last February for our Honeymoon. We stayed in the Cabin on the Lake. It was expensive, but worth every penny. They have smaller, less expensive cabins available. The breakfast is out of this world each morning!

http://bluelakeranch.com/

Here's some pics of Mesa Verde, The Durango-Silverton Train, my wife standing on a frozen mountain streambed during a stop on the train ride and the cabin on the lake taken while standing on the frozen lake. By the way, my profile pic us standing on the frozen lake looking the other way.

[huntresss]

Johnny- if you want your family to experience snow, then you simply HAVE to let them experience ice fishing! I don't know how far you're willing to drive, but if you can find a place that rents out ice shantys, you won't regret it. In the past I've entertained many a non-fisherman types simply by letting them sit in the heated shanty and watch the fish come in. We could even get Dominoes pizza delivered right on the lake. Sitting around a hole, sipping hot cocoa, watching the fish bite...now that's winter!

Have fun wherever you go!

-Cheryl

[Peta-hata]

Taos usually has alot of snow - even during spring break.

[Firestopper]

I'm in Ruidoso right now and the mountain looks horrible with the lack of snow. I'd head to wolf creek(pagosa springs, Co.) it ain't that much farther and well worth it . We just had a 3 day weekend this year so our options were limited.

[Sully]

It might be a little far to drive but my vote is always Durango. My wife and I have been going there a couple times a year for 11 years now. Purgatory (Durango Mountain Resort) is close if you want to ski and they are having an epic year when it comes to snowfall. Or you could come to my house. Took this picture 5 minutes ago..

[Johnny]

Thanks for the heads up on Ruidoso. We will definately steer away from there.

I've been to Durnago twice in my life and have rode the train both times while there...once during the summer and once during the winter time. Sackett, I have a picture around here somewhere of me on that same look out point where you and your wife are....Mesa Verde, right? Durango never really crossed my mind. I just brought my wife in here to look at your pics and this could be a possibility. She just absolutely hates to drive for long periods of time. This would definately be one heck of a drive. We both are thinking that she could fly with the boys and the inlaws while I drive....since 'Johnny and Flying' don't mix at all! lol

Thanks for mentioning Durango. I'll let ya know what we do or don't do.

[alien77721]

Can't go wrong in Colorado

[Sully]

Thanks for the heads up on Ruidoso. We will definately steer away from there.

I've been to Durnago twice in my life and have rode the train both times while there...once during the summer and once during the winter time. Sackett, I have a picture around here somewhere of me on that same look out point where you and your wife are....Mesa Verde, right? Durango never really crossed my mind. I just brought my wife in here to look at your pics and this could be a possibility. She just absolutely hates to drive for long periods of time. This would definately be one heck of a drive. We both are thinking that she could fly with the boys and the inlaws while I drive....since 'Johnny and Flying' don't mix at all! lol

Thanks for mentioning Durango. I'll let ya know what we do or don't do.

They can fly to Durango or a cheaper route is to fly them to Albuquerque and pick them up there. Then it is only around 3 1/2 hours to Durango. It is a beautiful drive to boot.

[brshcntryhntr]

They can fly to Durango or a cheaper route is to fly them to Albuquerque and pick them up there. Then it is only around 3 1/2 hours to Durango. It is a beautiful drive to boot.

Good option, we flew to Albuquerque and drove to Durango and it made a good trip. On the return trip we left a day early and made a loop up to Silverton, Ouray, Telluride then back down through Gallup, and back to Albuquerque.It was a really scenic trip.

[Bill]

Check kayak.com for searching all available flight prices. Looking into flying into Reno, and skiing at Lake Tahoe. It's been a great year for snow in the Sierras.

[AtTheWall]

Taos is cool and just a little further north, Red River. Love them both, you will be pleasantly surprised.