Ski Apache - Ruidoso

Ski Apache is a great place to ski. I have been skiing there since 1967. There is a great variety of terrain from gentle groomed to cruisers to scary steep runs and intermediates in between. They have a great system of snow making in place, which helps to make up for the years where there isn't much snowfall. When the snowfall has been abundant it is a really great place to ski.

I have found holidays do get crowded, especially if there is isn't much snow and few runs are open. I have had times of waiting over an hour to ride chair 3 (Easy Street), where you can walk up to the top of the chair in 10 minutes. So, I avoid going up on those peak days.

On the off season (non-holidays) you can usually find empty lines and be lapping it. I have had days of skiing down Capitain over a dozen times in an hour. By the way, if you haven't been there, Capitan is one of the steepest intermediate runs you will ever find. It is fairly short, but it puts a smile on my face every time.

Beginners will usually stick to the bunny hill or easy street, but some will find their way over to chair 4 to get to deep freeze or chair 2 for snow park. If you are a beginner, please note that some of the blue intermediate runs are pretty steep. Deep Freeze, on the back side of Capitan, and the runs off of the midway exit of chair 2, Snow Park and Smokey Bear are good for ski that don't have a lot of skill yet, but can turn and control their speed.

Intermediate skiers have a lot of choices. The best runs for this level of skiers are up off of the elk quad lift (I think it's chair 5). Very few beginners will go over there. I have never run into more than ten people in line on the elk quad, it's usually empty. If there is enough snow to allow skiing from the top of the area, Chino, Meadows, East of Meadows are all great runs with a few groups of trees and a beautiful view of the mountain.

Expert and advanced intermediates will enjoy all the black diamond runs from the top ridge. These are very steep and can develop some serious bumps. I recall ever seeing any of these being groomed. Unfortunately, they are rarely open unless there is enough snow fall. When snow fall has been light, look for the black runs off of the elk quad, the short run top notch down into deep freeze, or Capitan.

I have seen some reviews that mention having bad experiences with some of the lift operators. I personally have not experienced this. I could see that during the peak days that this could happen, but my experience has been pleasant every time.

The other point that comes up is the road up to the area. It is pretty scary, especially on days after a big snowfall, if you have never been up there. I have never needed chains (I'm usually in a Honda Odessy or a Civic), but I have them just in case. There are days when 4 wheel drive or chains on a two wheel drive are required. The road is narrow and has some tight turns. There some big steep drops off the side of the road with little or no safety barriers in some places. It gets frustrating when you get stuck behind a tour bus or a driver going 5 mph all the way up the hill. If you see cars stacking up behind you, pull over and let them by.

If you live close to the area or are getting tired of the crowds at the more popular areas, you should give Ski Apache a try. My whole family like it. We have skiers and snowboards in our group. We all have a great time up there.

If you are going for the night life, it's all down in Ruidoso. It's a small town, but you can find what you are looking for. If it's your thing, hit the casinos.

Hope this helps, its how I see it.

On a powder day, Its great but I ski level 7 or 8. 
For a beginner its a death trap.  The ski school is overpriced short and not designed for kids at all.
Took my 9 year old they charged me for the lesson 10 to 11:30, a ticket, and rentals.  Its a la cart baby.
It cost me more than I pay in Taos for an all day with lunch, lift, and equipment included.  Her ski instructor by the way was excellent he did a great job, they had put her in a class way below her level and he cut her out and took her to some great runs and gave a good lesson.

No enforcement of slow skiing zones. 
Have watched out of control beginners slam into the lift line on the beginner slope numerous times.

Lift operators are a danger to all, they just don't care.  They do not control the lines at all and on a busy day is a free for all to get on.  Lifts are antiquated and you are lucky if they are working.  When they are working they stop frequently because the operators let someone crash getting on.   Waited an hour last weekend for them to open the only lift going to the top, they had to clear snow and did not start until 1/2 hour after the lift was supposed to open.

The drive up the mountain is a nightmare and the drivers going up or down hill are suicidal, watched a impatient pick up truck race around myself and the truck in front of me on a blind curve and almost meet an uphill ambulance head on.  We had slowed down when we heard the siren.
The bartender in the lodge poured us the wrong drinks then refused to correct his mistake (on a good note I think they fired him over this).

On another good note at Ski Apache when you get snow you have a powder day or even a powder day and a half.  At a resort such as Taos you get a powder hour maybe two, the powder hounds magically appear whenever there is over 4 inches.

I will go on a weekday that is not a holiday and with recent good snow, otherwise I would rather drive another 4 hours to decent resort.

Great snow back early 80s.  Fun place to ski.