When you live in Las Cruces the closest (87 miles -1 hour 35 minutes) Ski area is in Cloudcroft, NM. Ski Cloudcroft. A little farther away 116 miles and 2-hours driving time is Ruidoso, NM. and Ski Apache. But Ski Apache is 5 miles out of town and 11 miles of narrow winding road up the mountain. You need to add another 45 minutes from town to the ski area. Because the mountain is higher, and they have snow making equipment, the quality of skiing there is much "more consistent."
You will find a discussion of both of these communities with activities and amenities in our Nearby Attractions East and North East of Las Cruces. Ruidoso Information - Cloudcroft Information In both of the discussions we provide lots of links to more detailed information. Just as an aside, the ride from Alamogordo to Cloudcroft is extremely scenic, and from Cloudcroft you can take another very scenic route, through the Lincoln National Forrest to Ruidoso (45 miles probably around 1-hour 30 minutes). It's a slow drive. Because Cloudcroft is very quaint some people will stay there and drive to Ruidoso to ski.
We will start with a discussion of the Skiing and other Snow activities in Cloudcroft, but we highly  recommend Ruidoso and Ski Apache because there are much better facilities (amenities, activities, lodging, dining, shopping, ski shops etc.) both in Ruidoso itself, and up on the mountain.
http://www.skicloudcroft.net is your source for Cloudcroft's Ski Resort. Ski Cloudcroft's claim to fame is that it is the Southernmost Ski Resort in the United States. This winter, 2009, they have not received enough snow to open. In addition you can see from the ski map that there are only two lifts up the mountain and a limited number of runs. There two child play areas with tow rope lifts. Don't plan a trip without checking conditions.
When there is adequate snow the area is great for Cross Country Skiing and there is Triple "M" Snowplay
Snowmobile rental & Tubing Park
on the scenic Sunspot Hwy.
(575) 682-2205
1-800-766-7529.
Ski Apache is New Mexico's premier ski and snowboard resort.
180 inches of snow fall on the 11,400 foot elevation mountainside of Sierra Blanca the runs from  the top have an 1800 foot vertical drop. Ski Apache offers snow-lovers 55 trails for skiing and snowboarding from Thanksgiving to Easter. There is snowmaking on 13 trails. 20% of trails are for beginners, and 45% of trails for advanced skiers, plus there is a new tubing hill and snowboard terrain park.
Your lift line waits will be short there is a lift capacity of 16,500 skiers per hour on 11 lifts including a four person gondola, and 2 quad, 5 triples, 1 double chair lifts plus 2 surface lifts.
 Ski Apache offers something for everyone. There are separate Ski and snowboard rental shops. There are 100 instructors that provide ski lessons for every level of skier, and little skiers from age 4 and up.
Ski Apache offers every service imaginable for your next ski vacation. Start your journey at the Ski Apache Website. This site is everything the Ski Apache and Ruidoso Winter visitor needs to plan a carefree winter getaway! There is complete information on the weather, snow conditions, trails, lifts, lift tickets, ski and board lessons, ski packages, the Ski Apache special events calendar and a complete description of Mountain amenities. Use this site to plan a visit this ski season.
View from top of mountain west to White Sands and San Andres Mtns.
PLANING YOUR SKI TRIP
Visit our discussion of Ruidoso for a great overview of why this should be not only your base for a ski adventure, but a year round retreat. When you are planning your ski trip you will find that the Ruidoso website http://www.ruidoso.net will provide the information that you need to arrange for lodging, even buy lift tickets and arrange for transportation up and down the mountain or around town if you need it. You can find ski shops for all your equipment needs, learn about Ruidoso's attractions, things to see and do, shopping, and restaurants so that your every need is
taken care of.
Ruisoso has another family snow play experience available. Winterpark.
 Snowplay If
you are ready for a different experience going downhill on snow check this out.
Visit Winterpark without going up the mountain. This is a first class tubing area offering some of the most exciting tubing
you will find anywhere. Twists, turns, bumps, jumps and bobsled curves. Located
off of ski run road a short distance from Hwy 48 this tubing park has three
cable lifts snowmaking and tubes to carry 3 to 6 riders.
SKI NEW MEXICO
Http://www.skinewmexico.com
Throught the State of New Mexico you will find some of the finest high country powder ski resorts in the United States. I am sure that you will want to expand you skiing horizons beyond the areas that are nearby Las Cruces. We have provided links to the major ski resorts in the state. You can check out the website for each resort and find all the amenities that the ski area and its surrounding community has to offer. You should find this helpful and planning your skiing vacation. The widget below the ski area listings will give you current ski conditions and weather information for each area.
Ski NewMexico
New Mexico Ski Areas
|
