There’s a Beautiful Town in New Mexico Where You Can Ski in Winter & Watch Horse Races in the Summer

Ruidiso, New Mexico

Ruidoso is New Mexico’s sneaky-good mountain town, where ski slopes meet Southwest culture and nobody’s in a hurry. This pine-covered escape serves up year-round mountain vibes, serious hiking trails, and a surprisingly solid food scene. Plus there’s a racetrack, because why not?

The Town’s Name

The name “Ruidoso” comes from “Rio Ruidoso,” which means “Noisy River” in Spanish. Early settlers named it after the rushing waters that flow through the village.

Walk alongside the river and listen to its natural soundtrack, especially beautiful during spring when snowmelt increases the water flow. Captain Paul Dowlin built his mill at the meeting point of Carrizo Creek and Rio Ruidoso back in 1885, marking the beginnings of what would become Ruidoso.

The Mountain Where Apache Life Began

Sierra Blanca, the massive 12,000-foot mountain that watches over Ruidoso, holds deep spiritual meaning for the Mescalero Apache. Their creation story tells how White Painted Woman gave birth to two sons during a storm on this mountain, beginning all life.

On clear days, you can see this “White Mountain” from over 100 miles away. The mountain nurtures the region by providing water through three important rivers: Rio Ruidoso, Rio Tularosa, and Rio Bonito.

Where You Can Ski in Southern New Mexico

When you visit Ski Apache, you’re skiing at the southernmost major ski resort in the United States. The Mescalero Apache Tribe owns this winter paradise, where the high elevation (12,000 feet on Sierra Blanca) ensures good powder despite the southern location.

Take a ride on New Mexico’s only eight-passenger gondola or try any of the 55 runs spread across 750 skiable acres. In summer, the resort transforms into a mountain biking haven with seven miles of scenic trails.

The Only Race Track with Two Different Tracks

The Ruidoso Downs Race Track is only venue in both America and Europe that has two different tracks in one location: a quarter horse straightaway and an oval thoroughbred track.

Racing here began simply in the 1930s in a local farmer’s cornfield before growing into today’s celebrated facility. Visit from Memorial Day through Labor Day (Friday through Sunday) and join thousands of other racing fans. The All American Futurity draws around 20,000 spectators each year.

The Million-Dollar Horse Race

Every Labor Day, Ruidoso hosts the All American Futurity, where the $3 million purse makes it both the richest quarter horse race worldwide and the richest race for two-year-olds of any breed in North America.

Horses dash 440 yards (one-quarter mile) in about 21 seconds. This race broke barriers by becoming the world’s first $1 million race for any breed before growing to its current prize amount. Around 20,000 people attend each year, bringing significant money into the local economy.

Where Billy the Kid Made His Famous Escape

When you explore Lincoln County, you’re walking through more frontier history than anywhere else in New Mexico, with Ruidoso at its heart. The whole region was caught up in the Lincoln County War of 1878, involving Billy the Kid, John Chisum, and merchants L.G. Murphy, James Dolan, and John Tunstall.

Visit the Lincoln County Courthouse, just 30 minutes from Ruidoso, where Billy made his famous escape. Drive the Billy the Kid Scenic Byway to connect historic sites from the outlaw’s adventures across the area.

From Cutting Trees to Welcoming Tourists

As the 20th century began, Ruidoso changed from a logging town to a vacation spot as people noticed its potential for mountain getaways. By 1914, visitors were building cabins in Upper Canyon, and by 1935, the first ski area opened at Cedar Creek on a simple sloping meadow.

Look around at the architecture and you’ll see this history in the mix of old logging cabins and newer vacation homes. Today, more than 1.2 million visitors come each year, making tourism the backbone of the local economy.

The Tribe That Built Their Own Las Vegas

When you gamble at the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino, you’re at the only Las Vegas-style gaming facility in Southern New Mexico. The Mescalero Apache Tribe owns this 273-room resort.

The property sits beside beautiful Lake Mescalero, which gets its water from Carrizo Creek. Gaming started here in 1975, and the current resort opened in 2005 after $200 million in renovations. Try a round of golf at their course, which ranked 23rd in Golf Digest’s “Top 40 Casino Golf Courses.”

The Apache Ceremony You Can Only See Once a Year

Mark your calendar for July 4th weekend when the Mescalero Apache hold their annual Ceremonial Dances and Rodeo. This rare event lets you witness the coming-of-age ceremony for Mescalero Apache maidens.

The four-day celebration centers on the puberty ceremony for girls becoming women, typically ages 12-13. Each ceremony takes a full year of preparation and includes building a special tipi. Remember that photography isn’t allowed during sacred parts of the ceremony, so be respectful of tribal customs.

Grindstone Lake and All the Outdoor Fun

Year-round outdoor activities await in Ruidoso, with Grindstone Lake as a central attraction. The lake offers 18 miles of trails designed by the International Mountain Biking Association, three disc golf courses including a championship-level course, and hosts the XTERRA Ruidoso triathlon (August 15-17, 2025).

Explore over 300 miles of hiking paths through the surrounding forests, spot some of the 200+ bird species that live here, and try the Wind Rider ZipTour at Ski Apache, one of the world’s longest ziplines at 8,890 feet.

Planning Your Visit to Ruidoso

Ruidoso sits in south-central New Mexico at 6,970 feet in the Sierra Blanca mountains, about a 3-hour drive from Albuquerque. The village makes a perfect home base for exploring the region.

Here’s what not to miss in 2025:

• Opening Weekend at Ruidoso Downs Race Track (Memorial Day Weekend)
• All American Futurity (Labor Day)
• XTERRA Ruidoso Triathlon (August 15-17)
• All American CowboyFest & Aspenfest (First weekend in October)
• Festival of Lights (December)