Snuggle in front of a fire. Build a snowman. Take a walk in the forest. Stargaze. Ruidoso embraces winter weather with plenty of no-cost activities to keep your vacation on budget. 

Escape to Ruidoso's winter serenity in the Sierra Blanca mountains. Relax with peaceful strolls on snow-covered trails, breathe in crisp air, and enjoy a magical horse-drawn sleigh ride. Rejuvenate with spa treatments that soothe the spirit, and cozy up by the fire as night falls. Surrounded by stunning scenery and local charm, Ruidoso is the ideal mountain retreat for a tranquil winter getaway.

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 2025.

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.

Experience a magical Christmas in Ruidoso with winter adventures, festive events, and cozy mountain cabins. Hit the slopes at Ski Apache, enjoy the holiday charm of Midtown's lights and find unique gifts in local shops. Relax by the fire in a rustic cabin and explore scenic drives. From snow sports to festive dining, Ruidoso offers everything for a memorable holiday escape!

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.

Celebrate Christmas at the Flying J Ranch with special White Mountain Christmas winter performances from late November to the end of December 2024. BOOK NOW >>

Light shows, holiday parades, and winter sleigh rides. Here's how Ruidoso shines at holiday time.

Experience the magic of the holidays in Ruidoso! From festive sleigh rides and ice skating to Christmas in the Park and the beloved Festival of Lights Parade, Ruidoso is filled with seasonal cheer. Stroll through twinkling Midtown shops, enjoy heartwarming performances, and create unforgettable moments with family and friends. Discover the ultimate holiday getaway in Ruidoso, where every event is a reason to celebrate!

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 to see some of the best, brightest, and most beautiful holiday light shows by Ruidoso area residents. Don't miss the fun!

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

Stay safe during your Ruidoso winter vacation with these winter driving tips from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

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.