bkluvsNola

Okay, my son has been begging me to take him to see snow. Since this is a "La Nina" winter in Austin, I know if just "ain't gonna happen" this year in Austin (it's been in the 70's and 80's most of this fall/winter), which by the way I have been loving, but I am a good father so I do want to please my son and sacrifice this beautiful weather so he can have snow.

So, since my son has a long Christmas holiday, I was thinking of driving to New Mexico and bringing him to the 1st spot that has snow.

First, some information about me: I don't ski, I don't snowboard, I don't like cold or snow. I'm doing this solely for my son. I plan to drive to NM, check in a hotel, then spend the next day building a snowman with my son, having snowball fights, then leaving the next day to be back to Austin to enjoy Christmas in 70 degree comfortable weather.

The reason I say this is usually when I tell someone I'm going somewhere for the snow, they go on and on about skiing and how much they love it, etc... I don't want to hear that. As a good single father, I just want to give my son an experience that he can't get here in Texas. So please stick to the parameters that I state above.

Next, I don't plan to subject my son to radiation from the full body scans, and there's no way I want him to have a "pat down" on parts I've told him are private, so driving is the only option.

Also, I don't have snow tires or chains nor do I plan to buy any, so I need a route that is relatively snow free until I get to the snow area. For accommodations, I need a place with heat that has a thermostat and preferably radiant heat, not those annoying convection wall heaters with a dial as they dry the air out too much and I can never find a comfortable temperature. I would like a place with an in-room fireplace as it is Christmas. The place should have a dining room with full breakfast and interior hallways (i.e. not a motel). An outdoor hot tub would be nice too, that is something I enjoy in cold weather but it's not required.

Also, if you can find a place that is driveable from Austin within a day (8-10 hours) or if not, then recommend a place within 12 hours and a suitable place to stay the night (with the above hotel requirements).

Thank you.

starrs

Taos

bkluvsNola

starrs,

Thanks. How far is Taos? Is that the closest place with snow?

Any more information on a hotel that will fit my needs?

bkluvsNola

That's a 12+ hour drive.

Do you know if Ruidoso, New mexico is any good? There is a 12000 ft mountain (Sierra Blanco) close by so I figured that would have snow. There appears to be a ski resort "Ski Apache" near there. All we need is a field with snow to build a snowman though.

Also, is Alamogordo a good option? It looks like it's near Alamo Peak which is 9260 feet.

ElendilPickle

You might want to spend a day or two in Albuquerque. We have a great zoo, children's museum, natural history museum, etc. Snow isn't guaranteed over Christmas, though the snow play area on the east side of the Sandias may be open by then. How old is your son?

Santa Fe would also be lovely, and they will probably have snow.

Parts of Taos Ski Valley are open now, so that would be a good place to find snow. You can stay in Taos and drive up to the ski area.

I can't recommend a place to stay, since Taos is a day trip for us. And the air is going to be really dry all over NM no matter what kind of heat your room has, sorry. Bring sunscreen and lots of lotion.

Lee Ann

ElendilPickle

Ruidoso will probably have snow, but Alamogordo is in the valley and probably won't.

You know, you both might enjoy the trip more if you plan an overnight stop on the way there and back.

Lee Ann

starrs

http://ruidosowinterpark.com/

tomfuller

I just checked the current snowcover map of the US. The closest snow is a small area in the extreme north central part of New Mexico. A few weeks ago, I thought there was a snowstorm in the Texas panhandle, so you might want to go through Amarillo on your way to Northern New Mexico.
Some snow will likely come to northern Texas within the next 15-20 days. Pack warm clothes and gloves (boots?).

starrs

Go to Dallas for ICE! and SNOW!
http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylord...sc-ice-gallery

bkluvsNola

Thanks for the suggestions.

Lee Ann,

Do you think I should bring a humidifier? My son is prone to nose bleeds in dry weather and I have trouble sleeping in dry weather. Since we're driving it won't be a problem to bring it along.

Also, thanks for the zoo suggestion which I may keep in mind for a future trip.

starrs, I kinda want the real thing so Gaylord wouldn't work.

bkluvsNola

starrs thanks the ruidosowinterpark looks like a Schlitterbahn in the snow with tubes and all! Very cool!

Aduchamp1

You have until May to see snow in Buffalo, NY.

DebitNM

The same La Nina you have in Austin, we have here in NM. You are looking for snow in the next 2 weeks. Not sure that is going to happen; there is snow in Taos, but it's on the mountain and not in town. We have had very little precip in the past month [well, more than that]. The snow in Taos is most likely man-made.

Further south, don't think there is any and may realistically not be any within your time frame. Temps for the next 10 days in Ruidoso will be in 60's. There's been 3" of snow at Ski Apache and I am sure that's all but gone except where they are making it.

If you are going to do this, book a room that can be canceled without penalty if you decide not to go due to lack of snow.

Bring a humidifier; and I doubt any hotel is going to have radiant heat. For hotel suggestions, you need to pick a place and give a price range.

Inn of the Mountain Gods is about the nicest place, mostly chain motels besides that one.

Dayle

There is saline nose spray that works well for my Dad, who has problems with a very dry nose when he visits me in Utah.

bkluvsNola

DebitNM,

Is there any snow at ruidosowinterpark right now?

Is Inn of the Mountain Gods in ruidosowinterpark?

starrs

bk, check the calendar. They are only open on certain days. Obviously they plan to make snow for those days/weeks. We have tube slopes that are open for similar limited periods of time, even when daytime temps get warm. The "snow" ends up pretty icy (small beads of ice instead of flakes of snow) but it works for tubing. There's no guarantee the nights will be cold enough, but if so there will be snow for the tubing slopes. The one closest to us often has green grass with some mud (from footsteps) in between the grass and the snow...but there's snow for tubing.

http://ruidosowinterpark.com/opendays.html

DebitNM

Inn of the Mountain Gods is near the ski resort. Ski Apache is only showing 3 inches of snow, 16 man made on a slope. Of course, you can't "play" on the snow on the slope, only ski or board.

I seriously doubt there is snow in Ruisdoso; I would call the winterpark and ask if they have snow. I see they have snowmaking capabilities, but the daytime temps have been pretty warm and it has to be cold enough at night to make snow. Not sure it has been yet.

From winterpark website: "All dates and times subject to change and dependent on weather conditions."

starrs

Definitely call. Good luck with the snow for your Christmas holiday.

bkluvsNola

Thanks DebitNM and starrs,

I appreciate the info. I'm a bit bummed that there is no reliability of the snow, will call to find out conditions and check the long range forecast. Things can change greatly in 3 weeks. All it takes is one big storm.

ziggypop

comon up to minnesota, we just got a fresh foot of snow. Better pack the long underwear cause the temps will be below zero in the mornings for a while!