“Don’t forget: you’re in the Southern Rockies. Sometimes Mother Nature doesn’t do what you need!” – Drew Judycki, owner, Red River Ski Area, 2007
Drew Juckycki came to New Mexico in 1968 to “ski the Rockies” and attend college at Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. He was involved with the RRSA from the early 70s until his death in 2008. Starting as an instructor, becoming ski school director and eventually the owner of the area, his efforts to see that snow making was always a priority have been rewarded during droughts and hard times.
He was inducted into the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame in 2008, a well-deserved honor and a feather in Red River’s cap.
Creating snow to supplement the work of Mother Nature has a long history in Red River. The first snow-making efforts were at the Powder Puff Ski Area, a beginners hill located on the west side of town. Powder Puff founder Lester Lewis and Stokes Bolton, who created the Red River Ski Area, experimented with “snow guns” in the late 1960s. It is believed those efforts were the first for the ski industry in the state.
The sounds today of machinery and the sight of lights on the ski mountain in the darkest hours are not a Roswellian expedition looking for specimens. The activity at the Red River Ski & Summer Area (RRSA) is the snow-making crew provided by Seasonal Labor Solutions (SLS), of Reno NV, working all night to make sure the skiing is great when the slopes are open. There will be plenty of snow for the occasion for Winter 2020-2021.
SLS has worked with RRSA since 2006 providing professional crews. In the past, individuals from New Zealand brought their international experience and Kiwi charm to town. COVID restrictions in 2020 have barred Kiwi snowmen from entering the country, leaving the task to a professional American crew to handle the challenge.
The “workday” for the 4-man crew usually begins around 5 pm and will last until 10 or 11 am the next day. Hours may vary and, on occasion, the snow machines can be heard working round the clock. Under certain situations, the fan guns can operate during daytime hours.
“Our nighttime is your daytime,” says snowmaker Myles Mitz. He admits you have to stay alert on the dark mountain.
Weather conditions dictate the task and the cold temps are crucial to success. Arriving October 19, the crew began trouble shooting by checking out lines and equipment. Assessing and preparing fan guns – the large machines like the one in the photo left – required rewiring solenoids which convert electrical energy into mechanical work. Start up, shutdown, relocating machines and monitoring the process and performance through the night keeps the crew on their toes. It’s hard work and requires knowledge and vigilance.
Justin Pires, a native of Vermont and Mitz, who calls Oswego Illinois. – “near Chicago” – home, have spent the past seven years working in “corporate” Colorado and are looking forward to working the winter in Red River. Chris Engle who learned to ski on a small ski area in Wisconsin enjoys the Rocky Mountain snow, while Scott Hamilton, the elder statesman of the team, who has been in the industry since the mid 70s, calls Nevada home.