Ruidoso here we come! (Hope: buy, shops, horseback)

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by jaxart

It reached 60F at my house today - nice, with no wind.

The real bug in the ointment is that the ski area cannot effectively make snow unless the overnight temps fall well below freezing. And when it's 60F in town, it's unlikely that the temps will be low enough at night there.

Exactly.

Snowmaking is (AFAIK) very expensive, and requires a ton of water and labor. It also doesn't cover that much of the mountain. The area covered by the cam may look good (and they make sure of this, LOL!!), but when the upper portion of the mountain (Apache Bowl, et al) is closed, you know as well as I do that it isn't all that great.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

...when the upper portion of the mountain (Apache Bowl, et al) is closed, you know as well as I do that it isn't all that great.

The area manager for 30 or so years was Roy Parker. Sadly he retired several years ago - coincidental with the opening of the new Inn and the takeover of all ski area and Inn operations by yet another outside non-Indian agency. Since that agency took over, the ski area has had a new manager virtually every winter with resultant deterioration of maintenance and services.

When Roy managed the area, you could count on an HONEST snow base report. I used to never bother skiing (paying the price, that is) unless the mid-way snow depth was being reported as at least 30 inches. That didn't mean that Apache Bowl would be skiable - but it did pretty much guarantee that the rest of the upper mountain runs down into Moonshine Gulch were amply covered. Snow making equipment was primitive back then and provided less consistent coverage, as well as less overall coverage, than it does today.

When Roy measured the snow depth for reporting, he did it in a place in the trees where the snow would lay undisturbed throughout the winter. So it was a natural un-compacted snow base.


VIEW FROM APACHE BOWL LOOKING NORTH TO THE CAPITAN MTNS.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by jaxart

The area manager for 30 or so years was Roy Parker. Sadly he retired several years ago - coincidental with the opening of the new Inn and the takeover of all ski area and Inn operations by yet another outside non-Indian agency. Since that agency took over, the ski area has had a new manager virtually every winter with resultant deterioration of maintenance and services.

When Roy managed the area, you could count on an HONEST snow base report. I used to never bother skiing (paying the price, that is) unless the mid-way snow depth was being reported as at least 30 inches. That didn't mean that Apache Bowl would be skiable - but it did pretty much guarantee that the rest of the upper mountain runs down into Moonshine Gulch were amply covered. Snow making equipment was primitive back then and provided less consistent coverage, as well as less overall coverage, than it does today.

When Roy measured the snow depth for reporting, he did it in a place in the trees where the snow would lay undisturbed throughout the winter. So it was a natural un-compacted snow base.

They don't know how to handle crowds, and never have, in my experience. I went to Ruidoso itself from childhood on, but didn't learn to ski until around 1978 or so.

As you know, the terrain is pretty rough, and midway has to have at least 48 inches (however it's reported) before I'll go, given the prices. If the snow is more reliable this year, I'll get a weekday season pass and bide my time that way until I can move. Good seasons there more years than not would keep me right where I am, as I could have it all.

It's really a shame (lack of snow, poor management, etc.), because Ski Apache has the greatest lift capacity in the state, and when it's good, it's really good.

My last ski trip there was 1984, during the week. We mostly quit going there and started going to Colorado around 1980 because of the crowds at Ski Apache. Their attitude wasn't all that great, either.....they knew they'd get all of the Texans because of the proximity to Midland-Odessa, Lubbock, Amarillo, El Paso.....

But I'm tired of driving so far to ski. I spent too many years in Texas doing just that....and I want to be able to drive, ski and come to MY homey house at night.

Management is back with the Apaches, as far as I know now. Right?

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Management is back with the Apaches, as far as I know now. Right?

Management of the ski area? It never has had a tribal management, to my knowledge. I recently saw reference to the current ski area manager's name but didn't take note. I have the impression (probably wrong) that he is serving a second season.

The Inn has new management - not sure how many different ones that makes now - but that too is non-tribal and casino (Las Vegas?) associated.

Of course the tribal president and council "supposedly" exercise oversight, but that has always been very limited. When Roy Parker was manager Wendel Chino was president - the last really strong leader the tribe has had. Tribal squabbling has become endemic since those days.

As for my own skiing days, I find Ski Apache boring now after having skied there so often in years past. I too sought out other ski areas when I wanted to take a ski vacation and even took a job in Salt Lake City for three years just to be near such a variety of great skiing.

[Cathy4017]

As for my own skiing days, I find Ski Apache boring now after having skied there so often in years past. I too sought out other ski areas when I wanted to take a ski vacation and even took a job in Salt Lake City for three years just to be near such a variety of great skiing.


Utah, Wyoming and Montana are on my list one day for long-distance...

[White Mountain]

It looks like a picture perfect day out there in Ruidoso..beautiful....
I have enjoyed reading the snow/ski conversation..a lot of interesting info...
Yesterday, my 3 year old grandson was talking about going fishing, so of course I would love to take him fishing when he comes to visit grandpa in Ruidodo,, so, that leads to the question; How is the fishing around that area up there?
Wish everyone a great week...
White Mountain

[rruff]

Bonito Lake is probably the best spot around, and I've heard rumors of fly fishing for trout on the upper Ruidoso. Haven't fished any myself though.

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by rruff

Bonito Lake is probably the best spot around

ALL fishing "luck" in the Ruidoso area depends on how frequently the small streams and "lakes" are stocked. I know people who don't mind paying the Mescaleros to fish in their small ponds off of Ski Run Road and their much larger reservoir abutting the Inn of the Mountain Gods. The best fishing in the Rio Ruidoso also happens to be in the upper branches on the reservation - fee areas.

Grindstone Reservoir is within the village limits of Ruidoso and another popular spot. Fishing in the Rio Ruidoso is spotty at best now that the "free" zones are under constant assault from reconstruction. The south fork of the Rio Bonito (above the reservoir) may also be an option for stream fishing, although I've never heard too much about it.

[White Mountain]

Thanks for the fishing info...
I haven't been fishing in years, so it would be just a way to go a spend quality time with my grandson. he would probably have a funner time if I took him skiing or teach him to swing a golf club
I know there are places that would be fun to take children to explore and see wildlife etc...now that would be a blast....
Take care..
White Mountain...

[jaxart]

Originally Posted by White Mountain

...he would probably have a funner time if I took him skiing or teach him to swing a golf club

Don't forget a horseback ride! There are several stables in the area that offer escorted hour (or longer) rides that are perfectly safe for older kids. In fact, unlike when I was a kid, you generally can't rent a horse unless you're willing to ride in an escorted group.