The first ski area in Red River occurred before World War II. With the help of the local business community, a ski course was built and a horse-drawn tow opened in December of 1941. December 7, 1941, "The Day That Will Live in Infamy" brought the daring adventure to a halt, closing the ski area on the same day it opened. With the conclusion of WWII, interest in winter recreation was renewed and the ski area was revived. Today, that area is "The Bump" that leads to the Red River Ski Area Chalet. The 1950s saw a surge of growth in Red River with many new buildings springing up. An Oklahoma businessman named Stokes E. Bolton and his wife, Billie, decided that the town needed a winter attraction and, following a trip to the Santa Fe Ski Area, decided a ski resort was a great idea. With surplus steel from oil derricks for lift towers, the Red River Ski Area opened in December, 1959. For a manager Bolton hired Buzz Bainbridge, who had been managing the Santa Fe Ski Area. Bolton also lured German Olympic skiing ace Tony Woerndle away from Aspen, Colorado, to head up the first Red River Ski School. Bolton soon sold his "baby" to businessman J. B. Veale. Meanwhile, other skiing standouts were lured to the new resort. Sigi Klein, who hailed from the German resort of Garmisch, site of the 1936 Winter Olympics, came to Red River and was able to convince the legendary Erich Windisch, also from Garmisch, to leave Aspen's A Basin. The little ski area was gaining a reputation in the industry, as well as creating thousands of new winter sport enthusiasts. A second ski area soon sprang up on Red River's west side, built by Lester Lewis. Thousands of skiers learned to ski at the Powderpuff Ski Area. The RRSA changed hands in the mid 80s. Among the partners was a young Massachusetts skier who was attending Highlands University in Las Vegas, NM. Today, Drew Judycki, who still owns the RRSA, and daughter Lauren welcome one and all to enjoy the delights of Alpine (downhill) skiing and snowboarding.