Welcome to Red River where what happens here doesn’t just stay here, it’s taken home as fun stories and fond memories to be enjoyed by our guests and their families and friends, most of whom are from the plains of Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas or are our fellow New Mexican citizens. We hope you enjoy pine scented air, afternoon thunderstorms, sunny days and cool mountain nights, because that is what we offer here.You’ll find yourself enjoying many outdoor activities during your visit, so it’s important to remember that you are at an altitude of 8750 feet. To avoid discomfort make sure to take things easy until your body has a chance to get used to the elevation and thin air. Apply sunblock liberally, keep yourself hydrated by drinking lots of water (our water was just recently mountain snow, so it tastes great!!), wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes and keep a long sleeved shirt or windbreaker handy, especially if you’re going to be out after dark.
One of the many entertaining things to do is to take the scenic ride at the ski area. Running daily (weather permitting) from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the ride takes you to the tip of the ski runs, with a wonderful view from 10,350 feet of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. The chair speed is geared down for the summer so the ride up is smooth and leisurely, with guard rails on the chairs for your mental comfort. You may ride up and down non-stop or, as most folks do, you may unload at the top, enjoy the view, have lunch at the Tip Restaurant, enjoy a cold beverage or take a peaceful stroll in the high mountain aspen groves. If you’re the active sort, there are numerous trails to walk down or you can upload your mountain bike for a wild ride down. Total ride time is approximately an hour, but it’s an hour you’ll recall the rest of your life. (Remember, when you get on the chair, don’t get off until you get to the top!)
Another fun thing to do is to take a hike along the banks of the Red River. The trailhead is located at the bottom of the scenic ride and winds along the south side of the river until you find yourself on the east side of town, near the “Y.” Since you’ll probably be a little tired after the walk, remember you can use the Red River Trolley service to return to where you parked your car or family. Just call 575-770-5959 and tell them where you are and they’ll come pick you up. There’s no set route and the service operates daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The above are just two of the many summer goings-on. Look around and you’ll find places to rent bikes (two and four wheel), race go-karts with your friends, ride horses, hire a jeep (driven by a professional tour guide) for a mountain tour of places you wouldn’t want to take your car, go fishing or just chill out with a cold beverage while you watch the day go by. There are also festivals and special events too numerous to mention here. Grab a copy of the current Red River Miner when you get here to see what’s happening during your visit. And most of all, have fun!