It was 1959 and the slopes of the Red River Ski Area, as well as the doors of the Day Lodge, were opened for the first time to eager downhill adventurers. They were winter enthusiasts who came to the mountains of Northern New Mexico in the dead of a snowy winter to be a part of history. In the previous 64 years of existence, the little town was a place for summer visitors who came to the high country to escape the July and August heat of prairie, plains and desert. They also enjoyed experiencing the beauty of forests and meadows, as well as the experience of angling for trout in pristine mountain streams.
It was Oklahoman Stokes Edward Bolton who owned the SEB Motel and saw the need for something to fill his lodge with visitors all year. After visiting Santa Fe Ski Area, then meeting Ernie Blake – creator of Taos Ski Valley – Bolton decided that a ski area would be perfect in the heart of Red River and, in particular, just across the street from his lodge. Stokes and his wife Billie Bolton turned a sleepy snow-covered valley into a bustling winter tourist community, while still retaining the “Family Town” heritage. And while doing this, they brought cable television to Red River, with Billie serving as secretary and bookkeeper of the water and the TV associations, and Chamber of Commerce. They were, in the words of their daughter Barbara, “a team.”
Old timers such as the late Winnie Hamilton of Tall Pine Lodge would tell about the excitement of those first years when they would visit the ski area. The person operating the PA system would call out the names and business places of the visitors and everyone would bask in the recognition.
Fast forward to 2018-19 and the Red River Ski & Summer Area has grown in size and stature, driving the growth of the community for nearly half the history of the town. RRSA continues to strive for the best hospitality and tourism experience in the Great Southwest!
This year of 2019 in the first fifth of the 21st Century will see a celebration by the Red River Ski & Summer Area and the Town of Red River of 60 years of ingenuity, hard work and dedication, not to mention adventure and fun! Check out www.redriverskiarea.com.
Activities and special events are planned to make the anniversary an every day celebration which will delight young and old in the Ski Town of the Southwest. There are 63 trails serviced by seven lifts, including a quad lift (Emerald) and the Platinum Triple Lift that boards at the Lift House and rises to The Tip Restaurant. The trails are open from 9 am and close at 4 pm daily.
Tubing on Little Blue by the Main Chalet is offered after the trails close. Tubes are not just any old car tire tube but slick sliding vehicles designed for fun.
The Main Chalet cafeteria, The Tip Restaurant and The Grill at the Lift House offer food and refreshment for hungry skiers. The Lift House also offers a full bar all day for the après-ski set.
The dramatic spectacle of torchlight parades and fireworks will be a Saturday night attraction, with a few anniversary and holiday shows during the season.
The University of New Mexico Lobos Ski Team will hold their NCAA Invitational February 1-2, with downhill (Alpine) events at Red River Ski & Summer Area and Cross-Country (Nordic) races at Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe Area on Bobcat Pass.