Ruidoso Winter Park
When the skies darken and the snow starts falling we tend to do one of two things. Either a sigh that blends into a groan is heard, or it could be the "Yeesss!!!" of a snowbunny that rebounds off the walls. Sometimes it's a mixture of both and sounds kind of like this - "Yaayyhuuuuuuhhhhmmmmm". The prospect of having to trudge through the snow to scrape off the ice that has collected on the windshield and putting cumbersome chains on tires seems to be a heavy price to pay for an hour of frolicking in the snow. Once we get out there, though, the smiles come out and the laughter becomes priceless.
Everyone has his own speed. I love the photos below. I tend to vacillate between the two. A cozy chair-sled sounds great to me on most days, but the thrill of a speedy downhill ride with the pine trees whooshing past entices the little kid in me, too.
Ruidoso has a relatively new recreation area that has been well received by those who love to play in the snow but don't necessarily want to ski or snowboard. It's called Ruidoso Winter Park and is located off Highway 48 at the bottom of Ski Run Road. They provide innertubes and a conveyor lift to haul you back up the hill. Hours will vary based on weather conditions. Visit their website for a rundown on prices, or give them a call. Ruidoso Winter Park can be a great alternative for the little guys or those of us who love tubing.
Ruidoso Winter Park:
(575) 336-7079
Located 1/4 mile west of Highway 48 on Ski Run Road.