Red River Ski Vacations - The Ski Town of the Southwest
July 7, 2008 on 1:09 am | In lakes-resort.info | No Comments
Called the “Ski Town of the Southwest”, Red River Ski Resort lies on Black Mountain, rising directly above the town of Red River, New Mexico. The historical town of Red River itself has an altitude of 8,750 feet, while Black Mountain has an altitude of 10,350 feet and a vertical drop of 1,601 feet. The resort offers six chair lifts and one surface lift, with 58 trails divided equally on 290 acres of skiable areas for skiers and snowboarders, with 32% beginners, 38% intermediates, and 30% experts. With an annual snowfall of 252 inches, the snow is 85% man made. With a ski school, group and private lessons available, even if you’ve never skied before, you will quickly be on the slopes after your first lessons. There are even lessons for snowboarders, who are welcome on the Red River slopes. You can rent all of your ski and snowboarding equipment for very reasonable rates.
Red River caters to families and children, with both children and their parents enjoying a separate, full-service facility on the slopes. The children’s programs offer ski, snowboard, and snow blade lessons. Both full and half-day programs come with an optional lunch. The ski and snowboard schools offer these lessons for all ages and levels, with a fun-loving staff of certified instructors. Special clinics are available upon request. Child care programs are available, provided by an attentive staff which provides for child care, lunch, and play for children ages 4-months to 4-years of age. Both full-day and half-day child care programs are available. For children who are over 4-years of age, the Youth Ski Center is offered to provide ski and snowboard lessons.
Many activates make Red River stand out from the rest of the ski resorts. Their history is very much alive and part of everyday life, not shoved away in a museum to gather dust. On Wednesday, a free program offers guests a free Wednesday night if they have already checked in Sunday or Monday. In addition, guests who purchase any Red River Ski Area 3-day lift ticket can get equipment rental or lessons, receiving the 4th day free of the same item. But most of all, good ol’ mountain fun is a primary activity here, with old-fashioned western traditions bringing visitors and their families back year after year. An annual party, “The Mardi Gras of the Mountains”, is part of the western tradition for everyone - enjoying a mouth watering Texas-sized steak, cooked to how you like it, and then some fancy two steppin’ with your honey to some good music. What more could you ask for?
Red River Ski Resort also has several excellent places to eat, in addition to excellent night life. Some places of interest are the Motherlode Saloon or the Bull -O- Woods Bar, Texas Red’s Steakhouse, the Chalet Cafeteria, and Capo’s Italian Restaurant. Of course, if you want to eat on the slope area - choose the Ski Tip Restaurant located at 10,350 feet up, serving lunch, beer and wine, with wonderful scenic views. The Lift House Bar, at the base of the main lift, is open for lunch and spirits, an “apres ski libation”. Going out on the town is great in Red River. After a day on the slopes, sometimes people wants to just kick back and relax at the lodge, or visit one of the taverns in the area. For the younger crowd, there is a great game room located right in the center of the town. One of the great things about Red River is that everything is within walking distance of the lodging areas, and shuttles are provided for transportation to and from the slopes.
Check out http://www.winter-sportz.com/ for more articles on winter ski resorts and ski resorts in colorado.
Tags: ski resorts in colorado, winter ski resortsHow Can I Plan A Fun Family Ski Vacation
June 11, 2008 on 2:04 am | In lakes-resort.info | No Comments
It is time for the annual family vacation, and planning a ski trip may be something that will appeal to all the family members. Something different and yet exciting, the time to plan a ski vacation is six to eight months in advance - yet it is possible to find slots open within two weeks at some resorts. Making a list of what the family needs and wants, within the boundaries of their skiing expertise, form the types of ski resorts open to their vacation.
First of all, not all ski resorts are just open for winter activities in the winter - the Timberline in Oregon is open all year, and many other resorts have extended seasons. Some ski resorts have other sports activities during the spring and summer. The thing to remember is that everything within the ski vacation label has open options; the date of the vacation what type of ski resort is needed, the different type of winter sports, or the services that will be required.
If you have a family, choosing a ski resort that welcomes family and children would be important to know, as not all ski resorts are suitable for beginner skiers. The terrain and services in some of them are geared only toward advanced skiers, which rules out any first-timers for safety reasons regardless of the ages. If this is the family’s first time skiing, check online for ski resorts with dedicated beginner areas, in addition to instructors and lessons.
Some resorts offer package deals with slow and easy lessons for small family groups, with transportation to the top of the beginner slope area. A full day of learning, appropriate skis, boots, poles, and a two hour lesson. Plus, emergencies do arise, so what happens if you have to cancel? If the resort does not have this or if some features are not available that is really wanted or needed, look somewhere else - all ski resorts want your business! A new family learning to ski is a learner’s market, because without satisfied customers, they would not be in business.
It is also a good idea to not only begin looking for skiing and snowboarding activities, but also other activities to do. Some of these activities could be: special dining-out local sites; Apres-Ski activities such as concerts, clubs, or daily events at the ski resort; other winter activities such as tubing or snowboarding; sight-seeing; shopping for things you know you will have room to take home; plus visiting historical sites for some resorts are extremely exciting and educational.
It’s time to plan the family vacation - and everyone wants to go skiing, but unless skiing is done 24 hours in a row, a break now and then before going back to the slopes is not only fun, but exciting.
Where the family will sleep and eat is just as important as skiing itself, unless the ski resort is within driving distance of home. Check to see of there are slope condominiums available. For a whole family, sometimes this is an option, as you will not have to worry about finding transportation to and from the slopes every day. They usually have one or two bedrooms, a dining room or eating area, and a kitchen. The money a family will save on restaurants for three meals a day, plus the convenience, will more than make up for the added price of the condominium. If the condominium is out, see if there is a suite with a kitchenette.
If you have a vehicle, make sure there is outside access to the parking spot for skies and boots, or has a closet inside for their storage. Comfort at a reasonable rate should be a high priority, especially at the end of the day on the slopes. Aching muscles, cold, and tired may take on a new meaning the first time or two out. See if they have an exercise room, pool, Jacuzzi, or a sauna, not only for your body but for the children’s “left-over” energy level!
Remember - it is YOUR market, so make the most of it!
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