Ski Apache FAQs

Our winter season typically concludes in late March. However, this specific date varies year to year depending on weather conditions. In the summertime, Ski Apache typically closes mid-September in order to prepare for the upcoming winter season.

During the open season, Ski Apache operates Thursday to Monday. During this time, the main office is available from 8 AM to 3:30 PM, while the lifts and gondola are open from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Ski Apache is located at 1286 Ski Run Road (NM 532). For detailed directions about how to get to Ski Apache from nearby major cities, information about road conditions, and travel tips, check out our guide on driving to Ski Apache.

Ski Apache is located in Alto, New Mexico, approximately 17 miles from Ruidoso. The drive to the village of Ruidoso is easy and typically takes 30 minutes.

To speak with someone from one of the following departments, contact the phone number below:

• General information (main number): 575-464-3600
• Accounts Payable: 575-464-3600
• Administrative Offices: 575-464-3600
• Food & Beverage: 575-464-3610
• Human Resources: 575-464-3602
• Marketing: 575-464-3630
• Race: 575-464-3640
• Tickets: 575-464-3607
• Groups: 575-464-3630

Ski Apache operates on a seasonal schedule. During the active season, our resort is open from Thursday to Monday.

In the off-season, Ski Apache is closed because conditions are not suitable for skiing or summer activities. During this time, we conduct maintenance to prepare the mountain, trails, and facilities for the next season of activities.

Parking rates will vary based on your visit. For season pass holders, parking is free. For day pass parking, the rate ranges from $15-$25 and for sight-seeing visitors parking is $25. Check out more information about rates in our parking at Ski Apache guide.

Yes, there is a lost and found at our ski resort. It can be found in the main lodge in the main ticket office. If you’ve lost a personal item, feel free to contact the main ticket office at 575-464-3600.

Our lost and found policy is as follows: non-valuables and soft goods (less than $100 value) are donated each month to a local non-profit charity. Valuables (greater than $100 value) are kept until closing day at the end of the season. After closing day, all remaining valuable items are donated to a local charity.

Yes, dogs are allowed at Ski Apache! We love getting to meet our visitor’s furry friends. Please note that dogs must remain on a leash at all times while on the property. For safety reasons, dogs are not permitted to be on the mountain biking trails.

For those interested in planning a trip to Ski Apache, we recommend seeking accommodations at our sister property and nearest hotel, Inn of the Mountain Gods. This luxury resort boasts world-class amenities including a spa, fitness center, pool, 18-hole golf course, restaurants, live entertainment, and a 45,000 square foot casino floor.

There are several places to eat on the mountain whether you’re looking to fuel up before a long day of fun or you need a big meal after spending the day on the slopes. Our on-mountain dining includes:

• Eagle Cafe: A cafeteria-style spot with a full menu for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
• Arrowhead Express Snack Bar: Quick bites and snacks, perfect for a mid-run break.
• The Daily Grind: Your go-to for coffee, pastries, and light breakfast options.
• Spirit Bar: Après-ski drinks from craft beers to cocktails and a lively atmosphere to wind down.
• Plaza Grill: A casual eatery with a variety of meal options for the whole family.
• Moonshine Burger Grill Stand: Juicy burgers and sandwiches served slope-side.

Yes! We highly recommend lessons if it’s your first time on the mountain or you’re just looking to sharpen your skills. Ski lessons are a great way to build your confidence and stay safe on the slopes.

Our ski school offers both private ski lessons (ages 5+) and group lessons (ages 7+) for beginner skiers. Each private lesson is 50 minutes long and starts at $130. Private lessons must be reserved ahead of time, and we ask that all students arrive 45 minutes before their lesson time to pre-register. To book a private ski lesson, please contact our ski school at (575) 464-3695. Our group ski lessons are 45 minutes and start at $80. These classes are walk-in only and filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Ski Apache visitors can rent snowboard or ski equipment directly on-site at our resort, or at the Ski Apache Ski Shop located in town at 1129 Mechem Dr. Ruidoso, NM 88345. Our rental inventory at the resort includes a variety of high-quality skis, snowboards, and boots of various brands. Our staff is available to help you find the correct sizing and equipment. Please be aware that clothing or outerwear rentals are not available, so please plan accordingly.

Bringing your own equipment? Our on-site rental shop also provides snowboard repair services including base welding, hot waxing, and tune-ups to keep your gear in shape.

Other than getting unlimited access to the mountain all winter long, there are plenty of reasons why you should consider buying a season pass at Ski Apache. Season pass perks include:

• FREE parking all season long
• 10% off ski and snowboard demos, equipment rentals, midweek lessons, food and drinks at Elk Lodge and Eagle Cafe, and logo clothing items at Ski Apache Ski Shop

Purchase your season pass today and be sure to take advantage of our early bird special pricing to save even more money. It’s a great value and the best way to maximize savings before the snow falls!

Our resort has over 750 acres of skiable terrain with 55 trails and runs. These terrain levels are: 20% green circle (beginner), 50% blue square (intermediate), and 30% black diamond (expert).

No, there are not designated areas for sledding at Ski Apache. For safety reasons, sledding is not permitted on any area of the resort.

There are three terrain parks at Ski Apache:

• Moonshine Terrain Park: Accessible via the gondola, located on intermediate to advanced trails.
• Easy Street Terrain Park: Triple Chair #7 will lead you to Upper Spruce. Follow that to Moonshine. Make your way to the bottom of the run and you should see Easy Street Terrain Park on your left.
• Competition Park: Captain Quad Chair #4 will lead you to Captain Heavy. Follow that trail down to reach Competition Park.

The terrain parks at Ski Apache change periodically. In general, the terrain parks have various features designed for freestyle skiing and snowboarding that include rails, jumps, and boxes. These elements cater to different skill levels, providing opportunities for progression and skill development.

Mountain bike rentals and safety gear rentals are available for riders looking to explore the trails at Ski Apache. Our safety gear rentals include full body armor for $25, shin or elbow pads for $15, and helmets for $10.

For outdoor summer activities at Ski Apache, it’s best to wear moisture-wicking layers to stay comfortable as temperatures change throughout the day. Sturdy hiking or biking shoes with good grip are essential for navigating mountain terrain. Don’t forget to bring sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat to protect yourself from the high-altitude sun, and carry a water bottle to stay hydrated during your adventure.

Tickets are required to ride the gondola and must be purchased in-person. You can learn more about gondola ticket prices and daily operation status here.

In order to reach the top of the mountain for ziptours or mountain biking, a gondola ticket is required. For those hiking, a gondola ticket is optional depending on your desired route.

Please note that all ticket sales are final. Ski Apache has a strict no refund or exchange policy on ticket purchases.

Yes, you can retrieve the tickets from your email receipt and print them from your web browser. However, for your convenience, you also have the option to retrieve tickets right from your mobile device and have the barcode scanned at a ticket pick-up box kiosk located on-site or at our ticket window.

Please bring your receipt with the barcode (printed or mobile receipt) to the ticket window at the resort. The ticket window agent will verify your information including the picture submitted and issue your pass. If the picture uploaded does not meet our requirements or if you didn’t upload a picture, the ticket window agent will take your picture for your season pass.

If you encounter an error while adding an item to your cart, simply refresh your browser and try again. In many cases, this will resolve the issue. If the problem continues, we recommend clearing your browser’s cache or trying a different device. For additional help, contact our technical support team at (321) 294-6162.

Your season pass photo must be a clear, front-facing image that shows your full face. You should be looking directly at the camera with a natural expression and eyes open. No hats, sunglasses, or facial coverings should be worn, and your head should not be tilted up, down, or sideways. Use a plain background with good contrast between your face and the background to ensure clarity. Additional technical requirements will be listed on the photo upload page during your purchase.

If you just purchased a ticket or season pass, please allow a few minutes for the email to be sent to your inbox. After a few minutes, if the email has not arrived, check your spam folder. If the receipt confirmation is not there, please contact our technical support at (321) 294-6162 to confirm your email address. Our team will be able to resend a receipt email.

The billing address entered must be the same address that your bank or credit card company has on file. If you have recently moved, consider trying your former address in the payment information fields.

First, please check the terms and conditions of the voucher/promo code to confirm it is still valid. If the voucher/promo code is valid, please enter the promotional code (sometimes referred to as reference code), into the promo code section. To do this, click on the promo code tab (desktop) or promo code in the menu (mobile device), and enter the code into the box. This will bring up the ticket which is compatible with the promotion. If no offers are returned, it may mean that your promotion code was entered incorrectly or cannot be used online and can only be used as a walk-up onsite. It may also mean that the promo code/voucher is not valid.

The following credit cards are accepted: American Express, Visa, and Mastercard.

Technical support is available by telephone to help assist you. Please be aware of the following:

• Technical support agents cannot provide attraction specific information such as hours of operation.
• Technical support agents cannot provide detailed information about the entitlements associated with tickets and passes.
• Technical support agents cannot provide detailed information about events.
• Technical support agents cannot approve or process refunds under any circumstances.

For any technical related challenges with the online store, please call (321) 294-6162.

Ski Apache has 750 beautiful acres of skiable terrain with a variety of trails for all ability levels. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate, or expert, the mountain offers plenty of space to explore and enjoy.

There are a total of 11 lifts across the ski resort. The number of lifts that are open daily is dependent on the amount of snow at that time. We encourage visitors to check our live mountain cams for snow conditions and lift and trail status before visiting.

Ski Apache typically begins receiving natural snowfall in late fall, with the snow season usually running from late November through March, depending on weather patterns. The most consistent snowfall occurs from December through February.

Yes, Ski Apache supplements natural snowfall by producing artificial snow with a state-of-the-art machine called the Snowfactory. This ensures better early-season conditions and improved coverage throughout the season, especially during periods of low natural snow.

Created by TechnoAlpin, the Snowfactory is an innovative snowmaking system that uses cooling technology to turn water into snow even in warm temperatures. Ski Apache has one of two units currently operating within the United States. By supplementing natural snowfall with artificial snow, we are able to maintain consistent snow quality and visitors are able to enjoy a longer season.