Mountain Dispatch: Spring Edition

Catch up with Cloudcroft: What's new, what's open, what's next

Apr 12, 2026

Spring is here, and the mountain is waking up. Get the latest happenings and business updates below.

Recreation

Sacramento Camp & Conference Center has been awarded a $28,000 trail enhancement grant through New Mexico’s Outdoor Recreation Trails+ Grant program.

The funds will go toward improving trail surfaces, grading, and directional signage, with a focus on accessibility for wheelchair users and older adults. The camp is located in Sacramento, about 44 minutes from Cloudcroft.

The Lodge Golf Course is open for the 2026 season. April hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with expanded hours coming in May. Memberships are not available this year.

Locals receive 20% off all rates all summer, including tee times, play and cart cards. Tuesdays bring an additional discount — Tee It Up Tuesday offers locals 50% off green fees all day.

Night golf, tournaments, and other events are planned for the season.

Holloman Air Force Base near Alamogordo is hosting its free Legacy of Liberty Air Show on April 18–19 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.), open to the public with no military affiliation required.

The headlining Patriots Jet Team — the largest civilian aerobatic jet team in the western hemisphere — will perform alongside F-16 and F-35 displays, parachute teams, and international aerobatic pilots.

On the ground, visitors can explore static aircraft displays, a weapons loading competition, a STEM zone, food vendors, and live music. Attendees should bring sunscreen, a hat, a folding chair, and a refillable water bottle; clear bags are recommended to speed up security entry.

Holloman Air Force Base opens to the public next week for the Legacy of Liberty Air Show (Photo: Dwight Raulerson)

On Tuesday, April 14th, the Combat Hero Bike Build organization will ride through Cloudcroft between 8:45 and 9:00 a.m. with a guest of honor, Army disabled veteran Shilo Harris, the 2026 recipient of one of their custom adaptive chopper builds.

Volunteer Fire Chief Erich Wuersching said there will be about 75 motorcyclists in their fleet, and that the VFD and local police will help coordinate their safe travel through the village highway.

Business Beat

Laughing Leaf Dispensary is temporarily closed, and the owners—Jim, Trish, and Madison—hope to reopen by 4/20.

Off the Beaten Path, the gallery and gift shop at 100 Glorietta Avenue, owned by Donna Rand and Berle Van Zandt, is closed for the month of April and will reopen for the season in May.

There’s a new grocer in town: Cloudy’s Market on Mexican Avenue plans a soft opening for Friday, May 1st, with starting hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., seven days a week, subject to change.

The Elk Shed in the Burro St. Exchange expanded with the She Shed, upstairs in the former Mountain Monthly office, where owner Susan Difani carries women’s clothing, jewelry, accessories, and more. She’s also expanded the store to the web—check out the online shop.

Dusty Boots transformed the former laundromat into an old-fashioned candy shop—they also carry sodas, fudge, candied apples, and ice cream.

Roadrunner Cannabis Co. cropped up between Be in the Mountains Yoga and High Rollin’ Coffee at the Village Plaza, open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed Mondays.

Crystal Tompkins Photography opened a new studio above the archery shop. Tompkins runs portrait sessions out of the new space. Book one at crystaltompkins.com.

This article continues after a brief message. Thank you to our sponsor, Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage Therapy:

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Dining & Drinks

Eighteen99 and Saint Andrew’s Lounge at The Lodge have added weekly specials, Wednesday through Saturday. A Mother’s Day Brunch is also on the calendar. Call 575-682-2566 or email reservations@thelodgeresort.com for reservations.

The Western is now offering a monthly specialty cocktail list, each festive and refreshing.

Noisy Water Winery in Cloudcroft is hosting themed trivia nights on Tuesdays starting at 6:30 p.m. The next mixing of the minds is scheduled for Tuesday, April 21st.

Cloudcroft Brewing Company (CBC) has two updates: Karaoke Mondays are now hosted by Kris Parks of K-Cloud, and head brewer Elliot Bell is retiring. Denver Weise, who has worked alongside Bell at the brewery, will take over as head brewer.

Matt Willett, co-owner of CBC, says “Elliot will be sorely missed,” and said they are looking for an assistant brewer.

Take a behind-the-scenes look at brewing at altitude: https://www.cloudcroftreader.com/p/brewing-at-9000-feet-inside-cloudcroft

Arts & Culture

Library Director Dr. Sandra Barr shares her art history chops with the community in a free art history series—the next one focuses on Egypt—join her on Thursday, April 23rd, from 1-3 pm. The library is closed on Thursdays, but come on in.

Going hard in the paint: Cloudcroft Art Workshops

Plan your summer stay around brushing up on your artistic repertoire. Cloudcroft Art Workshops (CAW) are now open for registration.

Black Bear Coffee Shop is featuring Aria Hanna's work on its gallery wall in April. Don't sleep on these works full of tenderness, humor, and verve from an emerging artist.

Osha Trail Depot is accepting submissions from regional artists working in any media. Sell your fine art in Cloudcroft—connect with the depot online or in store at 102 Mexican Ave.

Have a business update or upcoming event? Let us know at events@cloudcroftreader.com.

The Reader is proud to be sponsored by great companies like Instant Karma:

Thank you to our sponsors:

Cloudcroft Art Workshops
Enhance your artistry while enjoying the beauty and coolness of the mountains!
Noisy Water Winery
Family-owned winery crafting thoughtfully made wines from New Mexico grapes, inspired by mountain living.
Be in the Mountains Yoga & Massage
A cozy space for yoga and massage therapy at the Village Plaza
Osha Trail Depot
Your destination for unique, hand-crafted treasures
The Stove and Spa Store
We offer a variety of services to ensure your hearth and spa dreams are met!
The Lodge at Cloudcroft
Landmark Choice Among New Mexico Resorts
Sacramento Camp & Conference Center
Come to the Mountain — Let God Refresh Your Soul
Laughing Leaf Dispensary
Discover a world of wellness at Laughing Leaf
Instant Karma
Adventure Within: Transformative Yoga, Ayurvedic Wisdom, Nourishing Organics, Fair Trade Boutique
Off the Beaten Path
Eclectic gifts & original artwork
Future Real Estate
Raise your expectations.
Ski Cloudcroft
The Southernmost ski area in New Mexico.
Cloudcroft Therapeutic Massage
Maximizing Movement, Quality of Life Improvement
High Altitude
Your favorite little outdoor outfitter on Burro Avenue
Blushing Yucca Esthetics
✨ Book your glow-up today✨
The Elk Shed
Purveyors of Southwest + Mountain Provisions, Goods & Finery
The PAC
Pickleball Addicts of Cloudcroft—Pickleball in the Clouds
Peñasco Valley Telephone Cooperative
For all the ways you love to connect
Bre Hope Media
Professional photo and video services