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Ski Apache in Ruidoso
Ski Apache overlooks the famous historical White Sands National Monument where the first atomic bomb was set off, but these days the only explosiveness in the area will be found on the steep slopes of Ski Apache's mountainsides covered with 190 inches of impeccable New Mexico powder. Ski Apache is extremely blessed to present the absolutely perfect local geographical and meteorological conditions which allows some areas of the slopes in the middle of Apache Bowl to form natural halfpipes known as "the fingers". These features alone are worth travelling to SA since the level of challenge these natural pipes present is truly spectacular. Intermediates will want to stick to Chino, Capitan, Meadows or Ambush, but if they're feeling up to a bumpy challenge, then Incredible and The Terrible are the runs to play on. Beginners and children have a very special learner's area that is fenced off so you don't have to worry about some hot dog flying through at warp speed. It's off Chair 5 near the base. Once the skills are practiced enough and the confidence level rises, you can try Snowpark and Lower Deep Freeze.
The most famous bear in New Mexico has lent his name to Ski Apache: Smokey's Terrain Park is an intermediate level park with plenty of hits, rails, jumps and table tops. There are a few features that are suitable for children and beginners, but most of the park is set up for the more advanced skiier. Even though the New Mexico resorts are further south than their Colorado counterparts, you'd never know it by the local climate conditions. The winters are sunny, snappy and ski-perfect.
There's lots of great eating in the area without having to drive to Ruidoso. Michelena's Italian Restaurant serves up amazing wood fired oven pizzas just like you'd have on the Via Caracciolo in Naples. For a greater European variety, try the Cafe Rio which serves Italian alongside Greek and Portuguese specialties. The kids will love Farley's family restaurant atmosphere and their great fajitas and burgers. For real Old West ambiance, your best choice is Tinnies Silver Dollar. If you're in the spicy Tex Mex mood you can taste amazing New Mexican cuisine at Casa Blanca and Campanario Restaurant. For a healthy greener choice check out The Green House which is proud to serve you veggies fresh from its own Greenhouse!
The kids will love a visit to nearby Roswell, which is the site of the astounding and still formally unresolved mystery of the flying saucer crash during WWII. If you can tear them away from the UFO quirkiness of Roswell, they will enjoy the wonders of Smokey Bear Historical State Park in Capitan, where they can a wildflower on the actual grave of the real Smokey The Bear. Anyone who has ever enjoyed a Western movie will love The Hubbard Museum of the American West alongside The Museum of the Horse which features thousands of historical displays of old carriages, wagons and a nearly infinite collection of fine horse art.
