Whether you want to learn to ski or snowboard, New Mexico's Alpine ski resorts can get you started
With nine Alpine ski resorts throughout the state and approximately more than 200 inches of snow on a yearly basis, the Land of Enchantment offers plenty of opportunity to hit the slopes.
Whether the sport of choice is skiing or snowboarding, it鈥檚 highly recommended for newcomers to receive professional guidance as they begin to navigate the powder.
鈥淭o get a lesson is great,鈥� Reed Weimer, Red River sales and marketing manager, said. 鈥淵ou see a lot of people that say, 鈥極h my friend will teach me or my spouse will teach me,鈥� and that can work, but it usually does not result in the most enjoyable experience from either party involved 鈥� whether it鈥檚 the person teaching or the person learning. So lessons are a great way to start.鈥�
As far as choosing between skiing or snowboarding, a lot can depend on one鈥檚 athletic aptitude 鈥� and patience level.
鈥淧hysicality has a lot to do with it,鈥� Weimer said. 鈥淚 think a lot of people try snowboarding, and the one thing with snowboarding is you鈥檙e going to be up and down a lot more 鈥� The general rule we kind of tell people is like skiing is easier to learn, harder to master.
鈥淭hat鈥檚 kind of like a good starting point for people. For skiing, we鈥檒l put kids as young as 3 years old in our half-day program that we offer. Snowboarding, we start at 5 (years old) here in Red River. Adults, it does vary by physicality, kind of what fitness level they鈥檙e used to. But if they鈥檝e never done (either sport) before, I鈥檇 probably steer someone towards skiing.鈥�
In terms of apparel, it鈥檚 essential to have extra layers 鈥� three are ideal according to 鈥� so one can shed or add clothing as the weather dictates. It鈥檚 best to avoid cotton material because it will get wet and cold fairly easily. An internal wicking layer that pulls moisture away from the skin is ideal, whether that鈥檚 a polyester fabric, silk or thermal layers made of wool or synthetic fabric. Jackets and pants specifically for skiing or snowboarding also help to shed moisture and can be rented.
Additionally, boots, gloves, socks made from synthetic or wool materials, sunglasses or goggles (for protection from UV rays) and helmets are all also essential for skiing or snowboarding.
鈥淓ven if you鈥檙e just learning a lesson, you can fall, you can injure your head,鈥� Weimer said. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 have to be going fast to really injure yourself. I can鈥檛 stress that enough with how important helmets are.鈥�
Oftentimes, a novice skier or snowboarder doesn鈥檛 need to fully commit to buying equipment when taking lessons. The majority of resorts will offer rentals for gear 鈥� including skis and boards 鈥� to accompany the instruction. In some cases, there are also different types of rental packages.
鈥淚f they鈥檙e just getting into it, they take their lesson, they rent the equipment 鈥� that equipment鈥檚 going to be more tailored to their ability levels,鈥� Weimer said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 important in terms of getting what鈥檚 going to help you learn.
鈥淭hen you鈥檙e also not tied up financially and committed to having equipment. So when you鈥檙e taking those first few lessons, renting is by far the most economical way to do it. If someone was getting into it, but not as committed, a lot of places offer seasonal rentals so they can get their skis or snowboard and pick it up in early November and have it through the whole ski season.鈥�
Once on the slopes, it鈥檚 important to recognize and adhere to signage along the way. Trail markers 鈥� green, blue and black diamond 鈥� indicate the difficulty of the trails, and there are a multitude of other signs that can be found on the mountain, whether it鈥檚 for trail closures, hazards, slow skiing or boarding zones, to name a few.
Weimer says it鈥檚 also key to understand one鈥檚 own limits and to stay within those parameters.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a matter of staying within your ability level,鈥� he said. 鈥淧icking the hardest (trail) you can, just because you think you can make it, just opens up more possibilities for injuries and a less enjoyable experience.
鈥淐omfort level is huge. We see a lot of people that will over-terrain themselves, and they might be able to make it down safely, but it鈥檚 slow. It鈥檚 not enjoyable.鈥�
Whether you want to learn to ski or snowboard, New Mexico's Alpine ski resorts can get you started
