Ski Apache Summer Gondola Rides & Zip Line Adventure
For breathtaking mountain views and high-altitude family fun, head up to Ski Apache. In winter it’s a ski area, but in summer Ski Apache offers two fantastic attractions: scenic gondola rides to the mountaintop and the epic Apache Wind Rider ZipTour. Start with the eight-passenger gondola, New Mexico’s only passenger gondola lift, which carries your family up to 11,500 feet on Sierra Blanca Peak
innofthemountaingods.com. The ride itself is thrilling for kids – soaring above the treetops – and at the top you’re rewarded with panoramic vistas of the mountains and valleys (on a clear day you can see for miles). It’s an easy way for all ages to experience the high alpine environment without a difficult hike. There are picnic tables and a yurt at the summit, so consider bringing a lunch to enjoy in the cool mountain air
discoverruidoso.com. The gondola typically runs on summer weekends; check Ski Apache’s schedule for exact days and times.
For the adrenaline-seekers in the family (parents included!), Ski Apache’s Wind Rider ZipTour is a bucket-list experience. This is one of the longest zip line tours in the world: a series of three zip line spans that together stretch over 8,890 feet down the mountain
skiapache.com! Riders launch from an elevation above 11,000 feet and can fly side-by-side on parallel cables, racing each other at speeds over 60 mph while suspended high above the forest
skiapache.com. The views are unbelievable and the rush is even better – you’ll literally zip among the clouds. Age & restrictions: The Wind Rider ZipTour is for ages 10 and up; riders must weigh at least 50 lbs (and not more than 260 lbs for safety)
skiapache.com. This means younger kids will have to sit it out, but Ski Apache conveniently offers other kid-friendly options like short hiking trails near the gondola station and a disc golf course, so families can split up if needed for the hour-long zip tour. Tip: Make sure everyone wears closed-toe shoes and bring a light jacket – even in summer it’s cooler at the summit. Reservations for the zip line may be required or first-come, first-served on specific days
skiapache.com, so check the Ski Apache website or call ahead. Overall: A trip to Ski Apache in summer gives your family a mix of leisurely sightseeing and heart-pounding adventure, all set against some of New Mexico’s most stunning scenery