Driving to Ruidoso, NM from TX (Roswell, Capitan: casino, living in, cabins)
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My family and I are planning to visit Ruidoso this December before New years. We want to play with snow, stay in a cabin and just have a quality time. We will be coming from Austin. I want to know if the road going to Ruidoso is safe, any precaution like snow tires to consider? How is the weather condition in the interstates 285, 380 and 70 in the last part of December? Im only bringing regular SUV. Are there any roadside assistance/help available in these highways? How is the terrain is it going uphill? Do you advice to go in Dec or should we rather go in March where there are less snow? We want to check out Winter Park or maybe Ski Apache.
My family and I are planning to visit Ruidoso this December before New years. We want to play with snow, stay in a cabin and just have a quality time. We will be coming from Austin. I want to know if the road going to Ruidoso is safe, any precaution like snow tires to consider? How is the weather condition in the interstates 285, 380 and 70 in the last part of December? Im only bringing regular SUV. Are there any roadside assistance/help available in these highways? How is the terrain is it going uphill? Do you advice to go in Dec or should we rather go in March where there are less snow? We want to check out Winter Park or maybe Ski Apache.
If it were me, I'd stick to a freeway route (10/285/380/70) and avoid as much of the back/country roads in rural NM and TX as possible. We've traveled from TX to NM quite a bit and the only time I've ever seen a closure was back in late 90s. We got as far as roswell and the highway patrol had 285 closed and detoured onto 380. We made it through to ABQ with a truck/trailer & FWD car with no issues. With as little precipitation/snowfall the SW has been seeing, you should be fine regardless.
We did almost eight years in the mountains of Utah in 4wd and FWD vehicles and never bought snowtires or studs.
My son lives in Round Rock and other than it being a PITA driving on those West Texas 2 lane roads for 10+ hours, it should be OK. If you come in on 70, would be really surprised if you run into any issues-other than maybe the occasional dust storm. Once you come up the hill from Roswell, you might run into some weather, but again, unless you manage to hit a big storm (which we are hoping for, by the way) should be no issues. There might be slush as you get higher in elevations, but at 6900 ft, you shouldn't have much trouble getting into town, and to your cabin, assuming you're staying at Upper Canyon or similar. As you go north on 37, you might start to run into some issues, especially as you go up Swiss Chalet hill. Again, depending on the weather, you will probably need chains to drive up to Ski Apache, but you have options-like a free ride from the IMG casino-and they do sell chains at the Western Auto just in case.
Have a great time, and have fun planning the trip. That's how we started, came for a vacation and ended up moving there, so once you get here you may not want to leave! Be sure to leave time to check out Lincoln, Capitan, and of course you HAVE to see the alien museum in Roswell!
How is the weather condition in the interstates 285, 380 and 70 in the last part of December? Im only bringing regular SUV... Do you advice to go in Dec or should we rather go in March where there are less snow?
There might be lots of snow or none. It could be stormy and 0 degrees or sunny and 70. Most likely it will be fine. And the main roads are cleared quickly. RUIDOSO 2 NNE, NEW MEXICO - Climate Summary.
Does your SUV have 4wd? If so I think you will be good. But note that a lot of cabins in town have 20% grades that must be climbed to get to them and they could be icy.
March would be my pick for the worst month of the year. Windy, dry, and not very warm. Don't come then.
There might be lots of snow or none. It could be stormy and 0 degrees or sunny and 70. Most likely it will be fine. And the main roads are cleared quickly. RUIDOSO 2 NNE, NEW MEXICO - Climate Summary.
Does your SUV have 4wd? If so I think you will be good. But note that a lot of cabins in town have 20% grades that must be climbed to get to them and they could be icy.
March would be my pick for the worst month of the year. Windy, dry, and not very warm. Don't come then.
I was thinking exactly the same thing. Often even Ruidoso doesn't get much snow, especially before Jan.
After living in Lake Placid and New Mexico, 4x4 is no match for snow tires. However, since you live in Texas, probably not enough reason for snow tires.
Be sure to check out Smokey Bear Historical Park and Museum while in the area. (Capitan)
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