Howdy All,

My 5-year old daughter has informed me that she wants to "go where the snow is", so I'm considering a trip this winter to NM and would like your input.

Some info:  I ski a little.  Nothing serious so consider me a green-blue slope person.  Daughter has never skied, so I would want her to have one of those beginner classes on the slope.  Wife may try, but will probably sit this one out as she's not too adventurous with this kind of thing.  I would like a place that has some things to do other than skiing so the wife and daughter have some variety.

I am considering NM as I think it will be less expensive than CO.

Your thoughts and suggestions for a destination?

Thanks,
CMOS

IF there is a good snow season, and thats always a big IF in NM, Ski Santa Fe probably has what you're looking for.  There are classes available on the 'bunny' slope, and a variety of runs ranging from easy to difficult.  I'm not sure what the prices are like these days but I think its getting upwards of $60/day.  As far as other things to do, you can always set your wife lose downtown to buy turquoise from the locals

NM snow is funny.  Sometimes its amazing and sometimes its horrible.  But for beginners you should be OK.

I would look into Taos or Ruidoso.  

Both have great shopping and beautiful views.  

My wife loves Taos, as it is where we were married.  It has an awesome town square, old adobe buildings, great shopping dining and wonderful views.  If you go and want an awesome place to stay, check out El Monte Segrado.  

I love Ruidoso, but I'm a cheap ass and we have a cabin there.  Ruidoso also has great shopping dining and views.   I like both mountains to board depending on who has the snow that year.   Ruidoso to me has the better adult life, casino and bars.  Dining is great in both locations.

We have only taken the kiddo to Taos once, and it was our wedding weekend, so not sure on activities for youngins.  Ruidos has a putt-putt like place and some dinner shows and I'm sure a lot more that I am forgetting.

Guys, are you saying that if I were to pre-book a trip for say, January or February that it would be hit or miss if there was snow on the ground?


CMOS

Like others have said, snow here is hit or miss.

The cheapest lift tickets and classes are usually Sipapu and Sandia.  Check out Groupon when the time comes.  Lodging at Sipapu and surrounding area is real expensive.  Sandia, well, you can stay at just about any hotel in Albq.

For the real all around experience, Taos is hands down the best.

Yes hit or miss.  Jan or Feb should be good though for intermediate skiers though.  They will have the snow machines running if there isn't enough on the ground.  

Even going to CO there is no guarantee on snow.  

But like I said, for what you're looking for there should be more then a sufficient amount of snow on the ground for you guys anywhere that they make snow.  Even Ski Apache which is notoriously bad when its bad is ok for intermediate to beginner skiers the majority of the time its open.

Here's one way to put it.  Jan 11 - went up to the Jemez Mnts (West of Santa Fe) and we had 3+ feet of snow. This past Jan, there was snow, but only in the shade or packed down on the trail.  Everywhere else was bone dry.  Hit or miss for sure.

I would suggest sant Fe. That's the first mtn I went skiing on ever. I have heard that Taos and sipapu are pretty steep mtns. Those that have been there can comment more on those places. But I had a great first time at Santa Fe.