View of the town of Red River, NM from Platinum Chair | Image: Brett Ploss

Report from Saturday March 23, 2024

Skiing

Red River Ski Area is located four and a half hours south of Denver. Only 8 air miles from its larger neighbor Taos, this is an area I’ve been dreaming to ski.

During the drive in, it quickly became apparent Red River was different.

Red River, New Mexico, is quaint town tucked into a valley of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains with a population of 536. The ski area has two lifts coming directly from town similar to what I’ve seen in only a handful of US ski towns including Park City and Aspen.

Near the Platinum Chair Base, there is even go-karting a few steps from the hill.

I parked near the Youth Ski Center which was only a few steps to Gold Chair. This is the beginner area with great access to infrastructure for family and individual learning.

From the top of Gold, it was a quick ski over to the Platinum Chair base. From there, the lift quickly gives riders views into the valley with the town of Red River. It passes over a lengthy terrain park underneath Platinum Chair rightfully named “Hollywood.”

Hollywood Terrain Park at Red River Ski Resort | Image: Brett Ploss

The chair reaches the peak with Copper Chair that comes from another location farther into town. Copper is slated to be replaced this summer for the 2024/25 season with a 3 person fixed grip chair.

From the top of Platinum, it is easy to access most of the ski area. I started on the backside Green Chair. The whole idea is to have a family centered chair with “secret family places” great for the whole crew to explore.

My favorite was Silver Chair with access to intermediate groomed runs and advanced mogul runs. A few runs here made for a great workout and rest meal at the Ski Tip restaurant. It would have been tough not to stop with the smell of freshly cooked burgers wafting off of the grills.

Back at Platinum Chair, I explored runs through the trees that ended at both the Platinum Base and Youth Ski Center bases.

Being closing weekend, the snow was soft spring slush which was a great time and beats ice any day. Although the mountain does have steeps everywhere for advanced riders when a good storm rolls through.

The day finished off at a restaurant in town and led to watching their famous torchlight parades held most Saturdays throughout the season.

Thanks, Red River, I can’t wait to return during a big storm cycle next season!

Red River Ski Area torchlight parade | Image: newmexico.org

The Resort

Red River Ski Area Trail Map | Image: Red River website

Red River Ski Area is located three hours from downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. With a 1,600ft vertical drop, 209 skiable acres, seven lifts, and a unique location there is enough to do for the area to entertain skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. The location relative to town would make it easy to get around without a car for people who like to walk to the lifts from their accommodations in the mornings.

Current Conditions

Closing weekend conditions off Silver Chair | Image: Brett Ploss

Sunday March 24, 2024 was closing day. All weekend, conditions were soft spring snow. Coverage was great for this late in the season.

Opening day for the 2024/25 season is projected to be around Thanksgiving. In my view, there is never a bad time to visit Red River to explore the uniqueness of the area. Be sure to add this town and resort to any roadtripping itinerary passing through New Mexico!

Snow Numbers

Forecast

The resort has closed for the season, but for anyone in the local backcountry, a storm is passing through this coming week dropping multiple feet of new snow.