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Did you know there is skiing in southern New Mexico?  It’s true!  Ski Apache, in the heart to the Sierra Blanca Mountains (with an elevation of 12,000 feet) offers downhill skiing and snowboarding from November – May, with the only gondola lift at a ski resort in New Mexico. In the spring, summer and fall, Ski Apache hosts zip tours, chair lift rides, and hiking on the mountain.  With so many year-round activities, it is no wonder everyone flocks to Ruidoso, the little ski town nearest Ski Apache, with year-round amenities to rival the big ski destinations, including camping, hiking, fishing, restaurants, shops and galleries, and lodging, including cabin rentals. Story Book Cabins, in upper canyon Ruidoso, offers year-round cabin rentals for skiers and outdoor enthusiasts.

{This stay was hosted by Ruidoso Tourism but opinions and photos are my own.}

 

Story Book Cabins

When staying at a destination with so much skiing and outdoor activities, some people prefer a hotel setting, but most visitors enjoy the flexibility of a cabin rental, with more room to spread out, and a kitchen to cook in.  Story Book Cabins, a collection of twenty-seven cabins set in the woods of upper canyon Ruidoso, offers lodging that is as functional as it is cozy.  Story Book Cabins can accommodate a romantic weekend for two up to a group of twenty: 1-6 bedroom cabins with full, queen, and king size beds, a full kitchen, dining, and living room area, full bath, and large stone fireplace. Some cabins have a front porch, backyard seating and grill, and an outdoor jacuzzi tub.  All cabins have parking for 1-4 cars, cable television, and Wi-Fi.

Thoughts

Deb and I stayed in Cabin 15, a two-bedroom pine wood cabin with two king beds and two bathrooms.  Our cabin was adorable, with rustic country accents in the living room and bedroom.  The cabin was cold when we arrived that night, but Story Book cabins provides cut wood and matches, and we warmed up quickly after lighting a fire in the brick fireplace.  A flick of the furnace warmed the bedrooms and bathrooms, and we had snuggly soft comforters on the beds to keep us toasty while we slept.  The cabin was spacious, with dining table seating for four, and living room seating for five. The kitchen had a range and oven, full fridge, sink, microwave, coffee maker, cook pans, glassware, and dishes for four. The backyard had a picnic table, grill and jacuzzi tub; the front had a covered porch that looked out over the other cabins in the woods.  In the morning, as we were packing up the car, a little mule deer came right up to the front porch.  The cabin was clean and well-maintained, comfortable and cozy, perfect for vacationing families.

 

Fall was a great time to visit Ruidoso.  The weather was cooler but not too chilly, and the leaves were just starting to change color.  I imagine Ruidoso is magical during the holidays, as the village, with twinkle lights in the trees, cute shops, restaurants, and art galleries, is already charming.

Things to Know

• Rates average $164 – 404 per night and include housekeeping, but do not include taxes.
• Most rates require a two-night minimum stay except on holidays and summer nights, when the minimum is longer.
• All stays require a one-night deposit.
• Story Book Cabins is 4.6 miles from downtown Ruidoso, with area shopping and restaurants within two miles.
• Ski Apache is 45 minutes away; the closest international airport is 78 miles away in Roswell, NM.
• Albuquerque is 183 miles away; Las Cruces is 226 miles away.
• The area does have an abundance of wildlife critters, including bears–do not feed them!
• For summer fun, try mountain biking, fishing and hiking.  Winter fun includes skiing, tubing, and sleigh rides.
• For those who like to gamble, check out Casino Apache.
• Sacred Grounds Coffee and Tea House, a local coffee shop, has terrific coffee, pastries, breakfast and lunch fare.
• Please contact Story Book Cabins for rates and availability.

 

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