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’s highly recommended for newcomers to receive professional guidance as they begin to navigate the powder.

“To get a lesson is great,” Reed Weimer, Red River sales and marketing manager, said. “You see a lot of people that say, ‘Oh my friend will teach me or my spouse will teach me,’ and that can work, but it usually does not result in the most enjoyable experience from either party involved — whether it’s the person teaching or the person learning. So lessons are a great way to start.”

As far as choosing between skiing or snowboarding, a lot can depend on one’s athletic aptitude — and patience level.

“Physicality has a lot to do with it,” Weimer said. “I think a lot of people try snowboarding, and the one thing with snowboarding is you’re going to be up and down a lot more … The general rule we kind of tell people is like skiing is easier to learn, harder to master.

“That’s kind of like a good starting point for people. For skiing, we’ll 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’re used to. But if they’ve never done (either sport) before, I’d probably steer someone towards skiing.”

In terms of apparel, it’s essential to have extra layers — three are ideal according to skinewmexico.com — so one can shed or add clothing as the weather dictates. It’s 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’s 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.

“Even if you’re just learning a lesson, you can fall, you can injure your head,” Weimer said. “You don’t have to be going fast to really injure yourself. I can’t stress that enough with how important helmets are.”

Oftentimes, a novice skier or snowboarder doesn’t need to fully commit to buying equipment when taking lessons. The majority of resorts will offer rentals for gear — including skis and boards — to accompany the instruction. In some cases, there are also different types of rental packages.

“If they’re just getting into it, they take their lesson, they rent the equipment — that equipment’s going to be more tailored to their ability levels,” Weimer said. “That’s important in terms of getting what’s going to help you learn.

“Then you’re also not tied up financially and committed to having equipment. So when you’re 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.”

Once on the slopes, it’s important to recognize and adhere to signage along the way. Trail markers — green, blue and black diamond — indicate the difficulty of the trails, and there are a multitude of other signs that can be found on the mountain, whether it’s for trail closures, hazards, slow skiing or boarding zones, to name a few.

Weimer says it’s also key to understand one’s own limits and to stay within those parameters.

“It’s a matter of staying within your ability level,” he said. “Picking 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.

“Comfort 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’s slow. It’s not enjoyable.”

Whether you want to learn to ski or snowboard, New Mexico's Alpine ski resorts can get you started