SKI APACHE WILL OPEN ON SCHEDULE WITH THREE NEW CHAIR LIFTS AND $15 MILLION IN IMPROVEMENTS

Rendering of the new gondola at Ski Apache.

Ski Apache, the United States’ southernmost ski area known for epic warm-weather skiing and unbelievable views of the surrounding Lincoln National Forest, returns for its 51st year on Sierra Blanca with three new chair lifts for the 2012 season. The new season boasts a brand new Doppelmayr Gondola. Home to the first and only passenger gondola in the state of New Mexico, the new eight-passenger Gondola climbs 1,646 feet to the mountain’s peak in just eight minutes, almost twice as fast as its predecessor. The 2012-2013 ski season is anticipated to open Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 22, and season passes are on sale now.

As the new gondola carries nearly 2,000 skiers and snowboarders up the ski resort per hour, two new Doppelmayr chair lifts, one triple and one quad, help Ski Apache achieve the highest lift capacity in the state with another 3,600 guests ascending the mountain per hour. Combined with its already immense snowmaking capabilities and an annual snowfall over 180 inches, Ski Apache is prepared to serve up another memorable winter to visitors from throughout the region.

“We are happy to invest in something that has proven such a valuable asset not just to the tribe but to the surrounding communities as well, particularly considering the effects on the region from the Little Bear Fire,” said The President of the Mescalero Apache Tribe Frederick Chino Sr. “During the 2011-2012 season, more than 130,000 people visited Ski Apache, and we look forward to seeing that number continue to climb with the addition of these new lifts. Not only do they expand our capacity for winter visitors but the new Gondola also enhances our summer recreation offerings with mountain biking and hiking. This considerable enhancement allows us to attract visitors to the area throughout the year. The Tribe recognizes the economic impact Ski Apache has on our neighbors and we are happy to make the investment to continue to grow our local economy.”

The Mescalero Apache Tribe has dedicated $15 million to the new chair lifts, and continues its ongoing commitment to such popular events as the Dummy Gelunde, Warren Miller movie premiere, Sisters on Snow, and terrain park competitions.

“We are proud of the investment our Tribe has made in Ski Apache for the upcoming season,” said Frizzell Frizzell Jr., chief operating officer for Ski Apache, Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino and Casino Apache Travel Center. “Last year was a record-breaking year on the mountain and the effects of the Little Bear Fire will not stop us from having another strong season. The new chair lifts and gondola will reduce lines and will give our guests the ability to spend more time skiing and snowboarding and less time waiting for a chair lift.”

Adding to the new amenities at Ski Apache, favorite events including the Torchlight Parade, Music on the Mountain, terrain park competitions, and the Dummy Gelunde Downhill Race return to the mountain, creating a winter wonderland full of fun and entertainment. New events for the 2013 season include Sisters on Snow, which appeals to women looking to improve slope-side skills from intensive instruction, and the Big Mountain Challenge for two-person teams of intermediate skiers and boarders, with prizes to the top six finishers.

Ski Apache is located in Mescalero, N.M. just 85 miles southwest of Roswell and two hours north of El Paso, Texas. Situated high in the picturesque mountains of Mescalero and resting at 11,500 feet with a vertical drop of 1,900 feet, Ski Apache’s dry, arid climate makes for optimal snow conditions for skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Fifty-five trails are served by 11 lifts, including New Mexico’s only gondola. After a full day on the slopes, skiers can visit the main ski lodge for an afternoon snack, play a hand of poker at one of 12 video poker machines, or head down the mountain to the resort’s award-winning accommodations at Inn of the Mountain Gods. Featuring both fine and casual dining options, a sports bar, live entertainment, indoor pool, hot tub, and saunas, the Inn is a welcome retreat for skiers looking to rejuvenate.

Starting Thanksgiving Day the mountain is open seven days per week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All lifts and the gondola will be open by Christmas 2012 along with Ski Apache’s two terrain parks featuring five standard and one rainbow box, three flat rails, one battleship rail, one flat-down-flat rail and one A-frame rail. Lift tickets are $54 for adults, $47 for seniors (60 years and older), $43 for military personnel, $45 for teens (13-17 years) and $34 for children under 13. Group ticket discounts are also available in addition to individual ski and snowboard equipment rentals, $20 for adults and $12 for children. Lifts run daily including holidays and more than 100 instructors are available for lessons, along with Flaik GPS systems making it possible to locate children and guests on the mountain in real time, while also providing a chance to track the day on the mountain, recording information such as lifts used and runs explored.

For those who just can’t wait to see the fresh powder in all its glory, Ski Apache offers a live web cam, along with an interactive trail map, up-to-the-minute weather conditions and snow reports, also available via RSS feed and text alerts.

For more details on Ski Apache call 575-464-3600. For more information on Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino or its associated enterprises, visit

ABQ Balloon Fiesta To Provide Collegiate Film Makers With Unique Opportunity

This year will mark the 41st time that the Balloon Fiesta has filled Albuquerque’s crystal blue skies.  Still the premier international ballooning event powered by the perfect October climate and a phenomenon called the “Albuquerque Box,” (a combination of weather patterns and geographic landscape, the box allows balloonists to control and even retrace their adventure), this year the Balloon Fiesta Film Fest Presented by Comcast will provide collegiate filmmakers the opportunity to develop short films/digital videos featuring different aspects of the 2012 Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta.

To find out more about this unique opportunity, visit http://www.balloonfiesta.com/media and register your credentials.

The place to be in October is at Balloon Fiesta Park. The 200 acres of grass and booths will be filled with balloons and vendors selling everything from traditional New Mexican food to balloon memorabilia. Each year balloon teams from around the world participate in the event and news coverage originates from more than 50 countries. It has become the most photographed event in the world.

Photo taken by Paul D deBerjeois

Mark Your Calendar: New Mexico State Fair, Sep. 12-23

The New Mexico State Fair in Albuquerque remains one of the largest fairs in the nation, with PRCA rodeo and nationally known country-western recording stars, and the Indian and Spanish villages – everything and anything for fantastic family fun!

Visit their Facebook page and “Like” the Fair – they’re giving away thousands in Concert Tickets and State Fair Admissions just for clicking!

Dates to Remember:

  • Tuesday, September 11: Arts Preview Night @ 5:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, September 12: Opening Day—carnival, exhibits, livestock shows, etc. open at 2 p.m.
  • Thursday, September 13: First Full Day—carnival, exhibits, livestock shows, etc. open at 9 a.m.
  • Friday, September 14: International Indian Final Rodeo begins at Tingley Coliseum, 7 p.m.
  • Saturday, September 15: Annual State Fair Parade Leaves the Fairgrounds at 8:30 a.m. (heading east on Central to Eubank); International Indian Final Rodeo continues at Tingley Coliseum, 7 p.m.
  • Sunday, September 16: International Indian Final Rodeo final run at Tingley Coliseum, 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, September 18: PRCA Rodeo and State Fair Concert Series begins at Tingley Coliseum, 7 p.m., runs through Sunday, September 23 (see Rodeo Concert Entertainment for details)
  • Sunday, September 23: Closing Day

General Parking will be FREE throughout the run of the Fair!

All American Labor Day @ Ruidoso Downs

The All American Futurity: The World’s Richest Quarter Horse Race

The Quarter Horse race that every owner, breeder, trainer and jockey wants to win is Ruidoso Downs’ signature event, the All American Futurity.

Run over 440 yards every Labor Day, the All American Futurity gained its lofty status through unique financial cooperation between the track and horsemen. Ruidoso Downs contributes “added money” to start the race’s purse, and then horse owners make payments to keep their young horses eligible. Many of these payments are made before the horse ever starts in a race.

This system made the All American Futurity the world’s first $1-million race for any breed of horse and enabled the All American to become the first $2-million race in Quarter Horse racing. Now the All American Futurity has a purse of $2.4 million and is the richest race for a two-year-old of any breed in North America. Read more and see more at the Ruidoso Downs Racetrack site!

Quarter Horse racing’s biggest races are on Labor Day weekend!
  
The $2,400,000 All American Futurity is on Labor Day and the $2,234,539 All American Derby is on Sunday, Sept. 2.

 

Ochoa
Ochoa, Winner 2011 (Courtesy of Ruidoso Downs Racetrack)

 

More on the race at Ruidoso News…

 

Meet the Neighbors…

What do you see when YOU look out your window? When you decide to leave the hustle and bustle of the big city behind and head for the wide open range, you’ll find your outlook—on life and out your windows—changes considerably for the better.

Take a peek at what awaits you in New Mexico and find out just how easy it is to go from bumper-to-bumper traffic, noisy neighbors and pesky pollution to a wandering trail through the National Forest, a herd of curious elk and pristine night skies.

 

“A Land So Strange” @ The Hubbard Museum

Depression Era Rendering of the Altar Sanctuario Chimayo
Depression Era Rendering of the Altar Sanctuario Chimayo

 

Over the past four centuries, a distinctive culture has evolved in New Mexico, an area described 400 years ago in the journal of Cabeza de Vaca as Una Tierra Tan Extraña…… A Land So Strange. The Hubbard Museum is proud to present its newest interpretive exhibit, A Land So Strange, which opens Saturday, June 16th, and runs through February 8, 2013.

As the State of New Mexico celebrates its 100th anniversary, A Land So Strange was created and designed by Curator of Exhibits, David Mandel and Curator of Collections, Adele Karolik, to provide a unique and educational journey through nearly 400 years of New Mexico history. With hundreds of artifacts and images from the 16th century to the 20th century, the exhibit tells the story of the Native Americans, the Spanish, and the Euro-Americans who created the New Mexico we experience today.

Take a closer look at materials drawn from collections around the nation that represent these separate cultures at Ruidoso Downs’ The Hubbard Museum, just minutes from Vera Cruz Mountain Ranch.

Hours

9:00 am-4:30 pm daily

Address

26301 Hwy 70 West

Ruidoso Downs, NM 88346

Map

Contact

Phone: 575-378-4142
Email: info@hubbardmuseum.org

Ruidoso construction values see jump

Dianne Stallings dstallings@ruidosonews.com of RuidosoNews.com reports good news on the real estate front in Ruidoso:

Construction values in Ruidoso jumped nearly $1 million from June to July with two large commercial projects leading the way.

“Single family permits were down a little bit, but I’m not worried,” said Ruidoso Building Official Shawn Fort. “Stuff is coming in. We permitted a large commercial project (this month) that will show up on the next report.”

The second of two Dollar General stores being developed by Faith Construction contributed the most value to July at $985,166. The 9,000-square-foot structure, which Fort described as “very similar” to the Dollar General going up on Sudderth Drive, is being built at 1110 Mechem Drive by the same company, Les File Dry Wall of Albuquerque.

Mark Marquez of Recom Construction is building the second commercial project, a dental office of about 2,500 square feet at 456 Mechem Drive. Marquez is a popular local builder, who several years ago created Boulder Plaza at the intersection of Mechem and Sudderth. The building value is listed at $335,496. The structure is two floors with the lower level designed as a garage and for storage, Fort said. Parking is planned for the back and front of the building off of Rainbow Drive.

In July, 98 permits were issued for a building value of $2,072,110, generating permit fees for the village of $18,351, according to Fort’s just-released monthly report. That compares to 110 permits in June for a building value of $1,104,477, generating $15,463 in fees.

Although only one new single-family housing start was registered in July, the value was a hefty $479,035 and the two commercial projects added up to $1.32 million. Other contributors to the healthy July showing this year were 13 residential deck permits valued at $88,625, and $78,759 for seven residential additions and alterations.

The month was on a par with July of 2011, when 139 permits were issued for a value of $2,086,193 and $25,392 in permit fees. Construction was fueled that month by five single-family housing starts totaling $570,756 in value, and a sizable residential renovation value at $121,707.

 

White Sands International Film Festival workshops announced

Emmy nominated actor Jeffery Tambor among the presenters

LAS CRUCES, NM – The 2012 White Sands International Film Festival will feature four unique workshops presented by film industry professional along with Emmy nominated actor Jeffery Tambor. This year’s festival will be held August 22-26, 2012 at Cineport 10 with workshops being held at various locations around town.

Workshops will cover independent filmmaking, the history of film in New Mexico, screenwriting, and the art of performance.

‘Independent Filmmaking,’ a panel discussion featuring Stephen Griffin, David Spence, Mark Medoff, Cesar Alejandro, and Rod McCall, will take place August 23 from 2 PM- 4PM at the Black Box Theater. Film professionals will discuss tips for making independent films.

‘100 Years of Movie Making in New Mexico,” presented by Jeff Berg and Rod McCall will take place August 24 from 4:30 PM- 6 PM at Cineport 10. The workshop will provide a history of film in the state to include movie clips, audience participation, and a pop-quiz.

Mark Medoff will present ‘Screenwriting: the Hero’s Journey’ August 24 from 1 PM- 4 PM at the Black Box theater. This workshop provides information on character development and screenwriting.

The final workshop will be presented by Emmy Award-winning actor Jeffrey Tambor on August 25 at 10:30 AM in the Rio Grande Theater. ‘Performing Your Life’ will explore the art and process of performance with insight into human nature and Tambor’s professional experience. It is expected to be both entertaining and informative.

Those with VIP Passes have complimentary admission to all workshops but are still required to reserve a space. For non VIP Pass holders, tickets for ‘Performing Your Life’ are $35 per person until July 31 and $45 after. Students are $25. All other workshops are $25 and $15 for students.

Those wishing to attend any of the above workshops must register by August 10 due to limited space by emailing Dawn@HelpingHandsEvents.com. VIP Passes and tickets are available online at www.WSIFF.com.

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Opening Night Film Premiere

Wednesday, Aug. 22

Invited guests at this exclusive premiere include stars Milla Jovovich and Bill Pullman!

Bringing Up Bobby is the story of a European con-artist and her son Bobby, who find themselves in Oklahoma in an effort to escape her past and build a better future. Olive and Bobby blithely charm their way from one adventure to another until Olive’s criminal past catches up with her. Consequently, she must make a choice: continue with a life of crime or leave the person she loves most in an effort to give Bobby a proper chance in life.

Mark Your Calendar: Old Lincoln Days, August 3 – 5

Once one of the wildest of all western towns, Lincoln, Ruidoso is considered by many historians to be the most authentic old west town remaining in the United States. The single road through town was once described as “the most dangerous street in America”. Among the many Lincoln landmarks is the Murphy / Dolan store- which became the Lincoln courthouse and jail- which became famous when Billy the Kid escaped in 1881, killing two deputies in the process. Legend has it – one of the bullet holes from Billy’s gun still decorates the courthouse wall.

Street vendors, food, parade & mountain man camp. Activities happen throughout the day. Join us Friday and Saturday at 8:30pm and Sunday at 3:30pm for the “Last Escape of Billy the Kid” folk pageant.  This re-enactment was first presented in 1940 and centers around the life of the legendary outlaw, Billy the Kid. Many of the players are descendants of the original pageant participants!