You Can't Beat A Ruidoso Winter
Winter Trip Ideas
Explore the wonders of winter in Ruidoso, New Mexico
Discover the most amazing things to do during a Ruidoso winter getaway. We’ve compiled our winter vacation ideas—all our top attractions, best food, cultural happenings, most memorable activities – and popular holiday events are worth traveling for. Meet the locals, find the best deals from our partners, and learn how to get here, get around, and find accommodations.
Use these ideas to start planning your Ruidoso Winter getaway today!
What's the weather like in Ruidoso? Check out the official Village of Ruidoso Tourism Webcams from strategic points overlooking Midtown and Grindstone Lake. View Ruidoso’s daily weather forecast and learn when is the best time to visit.
Don't have a travel partner? No problem. Ruidoso is an ideal destination for travelers exploring alone. Enjoy solitary hiking, mountain biking, or paddling in summer. Ski and snowboard in winter. Ruidoso is a laid-back village with a friendly mountain town vibe, making it easy to socialize and find your way around. Visitors will find plenty of year-round solitary activities.
If seeing stars, constellations, and the Milky Way in the sky is your idea of a perfect vacation, forgo the city in favor of the breathtaking grandeur of the Ruidoso nightscape. To make your stay more memorable, we have put together a list of our top recommended meteor shower dates for the year 2024.
Get ready to experience the holiday magic like never before! CC Productions proudly presents "The Christmas Classic," a heartwarming feature film released on November 3, 2023. Filmed in and around Ruidoso, this timeless tale of love, family, and the true spirit of Christmas is sure to become an instant holiday favorite. Learn more at IMDb. Watch now at Amazon.
During the winter holiday season, there are sleigh rides through the historic upper canyon with Grindstone Stables. No snow is required to enjoy a crisp winter evening and the holiday decorations of Ruidoso's oldest neighborhood.
Pile everyone into the car and experience the Ruidoso Christmas Light Driving Tour to see some of the best, brightest, and most beautiful holiday light shows put on by Ruidoso area residents. Download the Ruidoso mobile app for iOS and Android today and help choose the winners of the 2023 Best Ruidoso Holiday Lights Displays challenge. Don't miss the fun!
Hit the slopes, backcountry trails, or town with gear designed to take you wherever you want to go. From winter clothing, to safety gear, or extra layers Ruidoso shops have you covered. Here's where to find everything you need for your Ruidoso winter vacation.
As winter kicks off in Ruidoso, the village fills with holiday lights after dark: from the holiday displays in Midtown and Upper Canyon to the festive glow of the Festival of Lights Parade and After Party. Pile everyone into the car and experience the Ruidoso Christmas Light Driving Tour on our App!
We’ve pulled together a list of some of Ruidoso’s favorite gift shops to help you find the perfect holiday gifts. Choose something special for yourself or someone you love. Discover friendly independent shops with unique jewelry, clothing, home decor, and skin care products, plus Southwestern turquoise, art, pottery, and New Mexico wine and spirits.
Winter in Ruidoso is a special time. Experience Ruidoso's winter magic with these recommendations for a cozy recipe, a tasty pizza spot, a scenic stroll, and a delightful movie suggestion to enjoy by a fireplace.
Winter is nonstop fun in Ruidoso. Hit the slopes at Ski Apache, fly down the tubing hill at Ruidoso Winter Park, walk our Midtown shopping district, and celebrate the many events we have going on all season long. Here are five winter experiences you won’t want to miss.
Light shows, holiday parades, and winter sleigh rides. Here's how Ruidoso shines at holiday time.
Dust off your skates! The outdoor ice rink at Wingfield Park returns for the 2023-2024 winter season. Opening day is Friday, November 24, 2023. A visitor Day Pass is $20, with a $20 season pass for Ruidosoans and a $30 season pass for Lincoln County and Mescalero residents. Here’s everything you need to know.
Celebrate Christmas at the Flying J Ranch with special White Mountain Christmas winter performances from late November to the end of December 2023. BOOK NOW >>
While you're in Ruidoso, check out these indie coffeehouses offering outdoor patios, welcoming interiors with cozy chairs in quiet corners, ample outlets and free WiFi, delicious pastries, baked goods and light meals—perfect for an afternoon or morning pick-me-up.
Wildlife and Ruidoso go hand in hand. From the quiet appearance of the majestic elk and wild horse herds that roam here to the impressive flight of the bald eagle and the entertaining antics of the bears that are frequently seen, here are some of Ruidoso's most amazing wildlife and some tips on where you can safely spot them on your next trip.
Go tubing at Ruidoso Winter Park. There are lanes for racing your friends and a Magic Carpet conveyor belt for an uphill ride. Adrenaline junkies can descend individually, in tandem — or for the fastest and longest ride, in group clusters in a giant tube. After your chilly thrill, retreat to a warming VIP Igloo to cozy up in with a hot drink and a snack.
From Outerwear and layering to helmets and goggles plus skis, boots, and boards, Ruidoso ski shops have you covered.
What to do on a Ruidoso ski vacation if you don’t ski or snowboard? Just off the ski slopes, there are galleries, restaurants, and easy access to multi-use trail systems.
Tubing, OHV adventures, sleigh rides — there is so much more to a Ruidoso winter vacation than skiing. The village location is perfect for those who want to hit the slopes at Ski Apache, but with so many activities — both on and off the slopes — including cozy lodging, shopping, dining, and live music, Ruidoso is a winter family vacation everyone will love.
Yelp reviews answer the question: Where do locals in Ruidoso go to eat? Discover the Top 10 Ruidoso restaurants according to Yelp reviews.
Stay safe during your Ruidoso winter vacation with these winter driving tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
From downhill excitement at Ski Apache and the tubing runs of Winter Park Recreational Area to horse-drawn sleigh rides through Upper Canyon, here are some of our most popular winter activities.
Grindstone Lake Recreation Area returns to low-season operations effective September 6, 2022. Open 5:00 am to 11:00 pm, weekend reservations are no longer required, and while the WIBIT Water Park is closed for the season, you can still kayak, paddleboard, hike, bike, horseback ride, picnic, and enjoy disc golf.
A Ruidoso vacation cabin can be a fairy-tale escape — a place to curl up with a good book in front of the fireplace or conquer the nearby ski hills. Ready to cozy up to your own slice of cabin bliss? Here are a few visitor favorites to help get you started.
This adrenaline-pumping, three-span zip tour begins above 11,000 feet with parallel cables so riders can ride side-by-side. It also spans over 8,900 feet in length, making it one of the longest in the world while offering a thrilling and unforgettable experience.
“Ruidoso is one of southern New Mexico's top mountain destinations during both summer and winter, but it especially shines during the chilly seasons. The town receives an average of three feet of snow each year and has an incredible, rustic atmosphere.” — OnlyinYourState.com
“…take the scenic route back through the Sierra Blanca Mountains and spend the night in Ruidoso. This little mountain town is one of the coolest in America, and few people have heard of it. It’s home to North America’s southernmost ski resort if you want to get a few last runs in before heading home. Plus, loads of mountain hiking and welcoming restaurants to get a last taste of New Mexican cuisine.” —MatadorNetwork.com
“If your Christmas feels like a three-ring circus inside a small tent, consider taking your show on the road to Ruidoso. In the heart of southern New Mexico’s Sierra Blanca Mountains, the town bursts with outdoor recreation, cozy cabins, and made-to-order holiday cheer.” — New Mexico Magazine
DISCOVER WHAT’S HAPPENING DURING YOUR RUIDOSO WINTER VACATION
Here are 5 Ruidoso winter experiences you won’t want to miss
Zoom Down Snow Tube Runs at Ruidoso Winter Park
Get in touch with your inner child and go snowtubing. It’s a Ruidoso winter activity that’s fun for the whole family. There are lanes for racing your friends and a Magic Carpet conveyor belt for an uphill ride. Adrenaline junkies can descend individually, in tandem — or for the fastest and longest ride, in group clusters in a giant tube. After your chilly thrill, retreat to a warming VIP Igloo to cozy up in with a hot drink and a snack.
Stroll Midtown and Discover Great Shops and Restaurants.
From early December to mid-March, Ruidoso is like a fairyland Christmas village of lights, decorations, snow, and outdoor adventure. The jingle of sleigh bells ring out throughout Midtown and Upper Canyon where visitors can enjoy a winter sleigh ride and holiday lights sparkle in anticipation of the holiday events and New Year’s celebrations.
Celebrate the Season at These Holiday Events
Make holiday magic in Ruidoso! Gather your family and friends and come together for fun-filled holidays full of festive events. Don’t miss the beautifully lit and fantastically festive, Festival of Lights Parade and After Party.
Hit the Slopes at Ski Apache
Nestled on the northern flank of the 12,003-foot Sierra Blanca peak near Ruidoso, Ski Apache is southern New Mexico's premier ski and snowboard resort offering dozens of trails for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
Take Advantage of the Free Winter Activities in Ruidoso
Snuggle in front of the fire. Build a snowman. Take a walk in the forest. Ruidoso embraces winter weather with plenty of no-cost activities to keep your vacation on budget.
Tips on how to dress and gear up for your Ruidoso winter vacation. Think warm layers, a hat and gloves, waterproof jackets, cozy pullovers, wool socks and more.