Ski Apache, NM
Description:
This place is fun and has a cool gondola. The management is a native-owned corporation and is lacking in ski area management skills. Things like snow making, facilities, food, and lodging are all below par. But as for sliding on snow with sticks tied to your feet, this mountain has it. Ruidoso is about a 30 minute drive down the mountain, but it is where the nearest lodging and nightlife are to be found. There are Casinos, bars, and restaurants to your hearts' content.
Great place for beginner and first timers. Easy terrain and slow chairs make it a great place to learn. For more advanced skiers there is a decent amount of more challenging terrain, but it is a long slow chair ride to get away from the crowds. However, looking at the back country, Sierra Blanca peak appears to be a short-medium length hike from the top of the Apache Bowl chairlift. It has chutes and bowls more suited to advanced and expert skiers. However in order for the back country to be skiable you'd probably want to wait for the mountain to have a minimum base of 40" and fresh snow. Due to it's southerly location, Ruidoso commonly suffers from icy snow conditions.
You can experience good skiing at Apache, you just have to be selective when you go. Because of it's southerly location and recent lack of good snowfall, skiing is seldom good before the end of January. Unless the upper mountain is open, the lift lines required to get to the short, bottom runs are not worth the wait. Poor management of lift operations added to the problem. Ski Apache also gets a lot of beginners that have problems getting on and off the lifts. This wouldn't be a problem if there were better lift operators and beginners were discouraged from going to the upper, more advanced part of the mountain. Management also needs to ensure that all available lifts are operating when there is sufficient snow. If you go, avoid holidays and Spring Break - weekdays are the best bet. Given past weather patterns, the upper runs may not be open until late January. Instead of relying on Apache's snow report, check with the ski shops in Ruidoso.
This place is fun and has a cool gondola. The management is a native-owned corporation and is lacking in ski area management skills. Things like snow making, facilities, food, and lodging are all below par. But as for sliding on snow with sticks tied to your feet, this mountain has it. Ruidoso is about a 30 minute drive down the mountain, but it is where the nearest lodging and nightlife are to be found. There are Casinos, bars, and restaurants to your hearts' content.
Great place for beginner and first timers. Easy terrain and slow chairs make it a great place to learn. For more advanced skiers there is a decent amount of more challenging terrain, but it is a long slow chair ride to get away from the crowds. However, looking at the back country, Sierra Blanca peak appears to be a short-medium length hike from the top of the Apache Bowl chairlift. It has chutes and bowls more suited to advanced and expert skiers. However in order for the back country to be skiable you'd probably want to wait for the mountain to have a minimum base of 40" and fresh snow. Due to it's southerly location, Ruidoso commonly suffers from icy snow conditions.
You can experience good skiing at Apache, you just have to be selective when you go. Because of it's southerly location and recent lack of good snowfall, skiing is seldom good before the end of January. Unless the upper mountain is open, the lift lines required to get to the short, bottom runs are not worth the wait. Poor management of lift operations added to the problem. Ski Apache also gets a lot of beginners that have problems getting on and off the lifts. This wouldn't be a problem if there were better lift operators and beginners were discouraged from going to the upper, more advanced part of the mountain. Management also needs to ensure that all available lifts are operating when there is sufficient snow. If you go, avoid holidays and Spring Break - weekdays are the best bet. Given past weather patterns, the upper runs may not be open until late January. Instead of relying on Apache's snow report, check with the ski shops in Ruidoso.
Trail Map:
Mountain Stats:
Base Elevation:
Summit Elevation: Sierra Blanca Peak Elevation: Vertical Drop: Skiable Area: Annual Snowfall: Snowmaking: Number of Lifts: Uphill Lift Capacity: Types of Lifts: Number of Trails: Longest Run: |
9,600 feet
11,500 feet 12,005 feet 1,900 feet 750 acres 185 in 36% 11 16,500 people/hour 2 Surface Lifts 1 Double Chair 5 Triple Chairs 2 Quad Chairs 1 Gondola (4 people) 55: 20% Beginner - 60% Intermediate - 20% Advanced 12,145 ft (3,702 m) |
Dates And Times
Expected Opening Date: December 01,2014 Expected Closing Date: April 05,2015 Hours of Operation:Daily: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm Half Day: 12:45 pm Parks and Pipes: 3 Parks |
Lift Ticket Prices:
One Day: Two Consecutive Days: Three Consecutive Days: Four Consecutive Days: Half Day: |
Adult
$67 $133 $190 $253 $48 |
Military (With ID)
$42 $83 $118 $157 $30 |
Travel Routes, Distances, and Times: