Mardi Gras in Red River

Alert: The Ponderosa has extended our deadline for reserving a room to January 13, Wednesday, 9 P.M. You may not be able to reserve a room after that time. We need volunteers to stay in the meeting room so we can secure it. Thanks! It's time to mark your calendars, pack your skis, poles, snow shoes and Mardi Gras beads and head to Red River, New Mexico. Did I say Mardi Gras beads? You read correctly, for 'tis the season for "Mardi Gras in the Mountains," an annual event that combines winter sports and New Orleans carnival in the high country. We will arrive Friday and stay two nights, leaving Sunday Feb.14. Red River is located 35 miles north of Taos, at 8700 feet, in a scenic valley surrounded by 11 to 12,000 feet mountains. It has a downhill ski resort right in the middle of the village. The Enchanted Forest XC ski and showshoe area is just a few miles east of town. There are also abundant trails on public land for XC skiing or snow shoeing nearby. We will stay at the Ponderosa Lodge, in the center of the village at Main and 5th St., convenient to dining skiing, hiking or just plain gawking at the attendees. It provides a perfect spot to watch the Mardi Gras parade (that is if you're not in the parade yourself.) Cost: $89 per night including taxes for the motel room (two queen beds) (44.50 per person assuming 2 people in a room) $123 per night including taxes for the common room (three queen beds) ($41 per person assuming 3 people in the room). Meeting room includes wood burning fireplace, sofa, and equipped kitchen. This room will act as a gathering place for the group at times. You will need to call the Ponderosa Lodge at 1-800-336-7787 to reserve your room. They are holding motel rooms and the meeting room until January 13th, so please call by then. Mention Meetup in your call. Please arrange your own roommates, or if you need help, contact us or use the meetup email.