7 Reasons Why Red River is the Best Ski Town in North America

Not only does the Red River Ski Area boast 67 ski trails - wide open groomers, park laps and steep powder-filled trees - with minimal wait lines, it’s financially accessible. Ride up one of the many ski lifts just off Main Street (you can practically walk out of your hotel room and be up the hill) for a day pass of just $95 for an adult pass. (That’s more than half the price of nearby ski resorts.) Not a morning bird? Adults ski from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. for $75. Beginner? Red River Ski area has you covered, too, as many of the trails are catered to beginner and intermediate skiers. Advanced? Start at Red Chair, where there are short and steep shots, like Bad Medicine and Cat Skinner. There’s also a snow tubing park to provide plenty of on-the-snow fun.

Nothing is better than a good night’s snooze after a long day on the mountain. Located right in town, many at the base ski lifts, there are apartments and cabins galore, some with all-wood-paneled rooms and a wood-burning stove for that extra rustic feel. Other cabins and lodges line downtown streets, and many are filled with tall windows so you can take in all the snowy alpine heaven you can get. (Wandering deer may come visit you, too!)

When you’re up on the hill, the The Lift House is the place to go for yummy burgers and micro-brew beers. Overlooking the Platinum Chairlift, this restaurant also has the best deck in Red River. Texas Reds Steakhouse is a place where you can eat from simple “odds ’n ends” (sweet potato fries, fried okra, green chile strips) to a savory prime rib. Sundance Mexican Restaurant brings classic New Mexican fare (try the chile rellenos and sopapillas) while Brett’s Bistro brings on a fancier feel with steak and seafood.

First thing in the morning, we’re talking coffee. The super-cute Steam Coffee Co. is located inside of a converted caboose and has strong espresso and fantastic pastries. Enjoy a sunny morning on their big patio. At Will Bill’s Koffee House, play one of the guitars on the wall and you might be gifted a free coffee (or at least a funny memory). On into the nighttime, hit up Red River Brewing Company & Distillery for a wide-selection of beer brewed with the cleanest water, because, as they say: “We make a living turning snowflakes into beer.” (Try the prickly pear blonde.) Bull O’ The Woods Saloon has been providing authentic saloon experiences since 1939.

More on New Mexico beer and cheer here.

Often hailed as a tiny Austin, Texas, there’s no shortage of good tunes in Red River. With its rotating annual music festivals (like the Red River Songwriter’s Festival in February, or country star Michael Martin Murphey’s “Rocking 3M Chuckwagon” come summer) and nightly soirees at the Love Lost Saloon and the Motherlode Saloon, you can catch the finest acoustic sets (or even just some plain ‘ole karaoke) that’ll keep your heart singing for a long time to come.

If downhill skiing isn’t your thing, you can always go cross-country or snowshoeing in the expansive Carson National Forest that surrounds Red River. Or go on a “snow cat tour,” where you’ll be driven in a UTV through the backcountry with its miles of remote, snow-packed trails.

This might go without saying, but for those who live in Red River, you can tell they're proud to be there. There’s a strong sense of community and an emanating kindness, whether you’re walking the streets or popping into a local boutique, sharing stories with the owner. And you can tell, they’re happy to have visitors there, too — whether from Texas or down south in Albuquerque or Ruidoso.