The resort community of Ruidoso has all the magic that the New Mexico slogan promises, truly…the Land of Enchantment! Because Ruidoso is a hub for skiing and horseracing, accommodations may be tricky at peak periods. No problem, if you keep a few simple facts in mind.

1) Plan EARLY. A lot of people are amazed that some lodging can be full a year or more in advance of arrival. If you’re headed for Ruidoso during summer or winter weekends, advance reservations can be a lifesaver!

2) Have the exact information regarding your exact needs and dates. Don’t rely on “We’ll be coming in the weekend of the 4th”. Be specific… “We’ll be arriving on the 3rd and departing on the 7th” will leave no margin for error. Have the exact number of people handy. Strange as it may seem, children are actually people and do count. If you’ll be using a credit card to make the reservations, have it nearby.

3) Ruidoso presents a LOT of lodging choices. In addition to a hotel you may choose to stay in a cabin, lodge, condo or vacation home. If you’re completely lost on making a decision try the service offered by Ruidoso Central Reservations. They make reservations for many types of lodging throughout Ruidoso and can help match your exact expectations with the perfect accommodations. They can also provide a depth of information on area activities and attractions.

4) Make sure that you understand the policies and procedures for the accommodations you’ve secured. Find out about check-in and check-out times as well as the cancellation policy. Cancellation can vary widely and ranges from just 24 hours prior to arrival up to 14 days.

5) Keep records. File documents in a folder for the trip. Have directions, confirmation data and the name and local phone number for where you will be staying. I’ve seen many souls wandering Ruidoso trying to figure out where they are supposed to stay because they’ve lost their lodging information. Enjoy your stay! Don’t allow these inconveniences to cost even one minute of your precious Ruidoso vacation.

6) Ruidoso, New Mexico averages only 2 days per year over 90 degrees. Because Ruidoso’s climate is so moderate, many of the cabins, condos and homes for rent in the area do not have air conditioning.

When you visit Ruidoso during the summer months, do not assume that all accommodations automatically have cooling systems. If cooler temperatures are important to you, ask up front if the property you’re considering has air. And note the differences between the types of “air conditioning”.

Good old central, refrigerated air conditioning remains the favorite. It provides consistent, whole house comfort. A window air conditioning unit also provides refrigerated air, but just to a section of your rental. It may provide just enough cool in just the right area to help insure your comfort. Evaporative cooling (aka swamp coolers) are an effective way to cool areas in a extremely dry environment. Evaporating water can provide surprising cooling results in a desert climate.

With a temperate climate, air conditioning should not be a major consideration for most when visiting Ruidoso. The warm dry days and the rather crisp evenings make for some of the most ideal weather known to man. Add the consistent mountain breezes and you have an ideal climate for your summertime…or anytime…visit.

These simple tips can save you a lot of time and energy when visiting Ruidoso. Along with a little common sense, you’ll insure a carefree stay in enchanting Ruidoso!

Ruidoso, New Mexico is a lot of things to many people. A ski resort, a thriving horse racing destination and, more than anything, a great place to spend time with your family. And where can you find a more fun mix of activities and events for the kids than in Southern New Mexico!

Ruidoso has a wonderful assortment of activities for children of all ages. Enjoy horse back riding with four stables in town and one on the nearby Mescalero Apache Reservation. If it’s fishing you’re after the hot spots are at the Grindstone Dam, Mescalero Reservation and the mighty Rio Ruidoso River, stocked with plenty of good sized trout. Just be sure and have a local fishing license, easily obtainable at the local WalMart and Western Auto. If you don’t catch anything there, head on past the racetrack to Seeping Springs Trout Pond. They furnish the gear, the fishin’ hole and you only pay 50 cents an inch for what you catch no license required. Here’s the very best part…they clean them for you! My daugther took the family and came back with 4 lovely 12+ inch trout all ready for the grill.

Naturally, being in the mountains of New Mexico there’s plenty of hiking and nature. The Lincoln National Forest is a start with plenty of other diverse scenery nearby. If you’re after more urban pursuits, Fun Trackers Amusements in Ruidoso has go karts, bumper boats and goofy golf. That’s just for starters. Add in the history of the region and you’ve got a plateful.

Ruidoso has it’s own historical spots. There’s Dowlin’s Mill where Billy the Kid stayed. Don’t forget a stop at the Hubbard Museum of the American West for an enchanting look at the past for all ages.

Capitan, a scant twenty minutes from Ruidoso is home to the only American figure with their own zip code…Smokey Bear. The Smokey Bear Historical Park is packed with tips on preventing wild fires with plenty of interactive display for the children. There’s a small theater with regular showings, an informative garden area with many types of indigenous flora and of course the final resting spot of old Smokey himself. Always a tear there it seems.

In Lincoln, only 30 minutes away you’ve got the hub of the Lincoln County Wars. Characters like John Tunstall, Sheriff Bob Ollenger and of course William Bonney who became better known as Billy the Kid. It’s the bloodiest street in America…in any era…with a nice selection of museums, shops and original buildings. The classic Wortley Hotel which still operates seasonally and the Ellis Store, now a splendid bed and breakfast are just examples.

An hour south of Ruidoso is Alamagordo. Pay a visit to their zoo. Perhaps the really big screen calls from the IMAX theater. Mystified by the stars? The Space Museum is bound to enthrall. Don’t forget the allure of the magical White Sands National Monument…all great reasons to make the 60 minute drive.

Only 75 minutes out is the infamous Roswell, home to UFO buffs from around the world. Is it a weather balloon or something else? The UFO Museum has their opinion on the matter. Check them out!

If it seems like there are a lot of things to keep the kids loving the area, well that’s because there are! Frequently concerned parents who come to enjoy the race track or casinos ask, “Is there anything for the kids to do?”. You bet!

Ruidoso, New Mexico is in the southern part of the state, about 120 miles north of El Paso, Texas. Ruidoso is a resort community of approximately 8,000 people that can grow to over 30,000 during the winter peak of our skiing season and in the summer for horse racing. When the snow flies thousands head for the slopes of Ski Apache, owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Nation. In the summer, the attention turns to the Ruidoso Downs Race Track, the home of the richest quarter horse event in the world!

If you’re not into skiing or horse racing you may want to consider a stay in Ruidoso during our “low season”. There are some outstanding values from the last week of March through the middle of May or from the last week of September through until Thanksgiving. Area lodgers have specials during these periods and Ruidoso abounds with low cost accommodations. Local restaurants, galleries and attractions are less crowded and you can enjoy the “Mountain Cool” of the area.

Noted wild west outlaw Billy The Kid hung out in Lincoln County and there are many museums and displays depicting the times. Smokey Bear Park in Capitan is perfect for the youngsters and the young at heart. Particularly emotional, Smokey’s final resting spot is on the park grounds. Did you know that old Smokey is the only celebrity with his own US zip code? Several staff members answer thousands of letters yearly as the message of Wild Fire Safety continues.

Ruidoso is truly an artist’s community. Almost everyone, the guy at the convenience store, your waitress or the folks next door are aspiring artists. Ruidoso is alive with galleries containing every form of expression imaginable. At the very least plan on one of the rather unique carved bears…a Ruidoso signature!

Three casinos add the element of chance the year round. The Billy the Kid Casino, and two Mescalero Apache casinos will give ample opportunity to try your luck in search of the elusive “jackpot”.

If you like the excitement of a bustling resort community, by all means come in season! Ski Apache, at 12,000 feet, has the largest lift capacity in the state. More skiing…less waiting! Horse season has it’s own magic…with summer residents from all over the country. Naturally, lodging in Ruidoso books solidly for many prime weekends. Due to the laws of supply and demand, room rates rise during the “high season”. During many periods Ruidoso is booked solid, with many quite content to stay in adjacent communities as much as an hour away.

One of the more economical lodging alternatives are the area’s vacation rentals. Private owners place their cabins, condos and homes on the rental market when they are not occupying them. Units offer amenities not available in commercial accommodations…private hot tubs and pool tables only begin to scratch the surface. Due to the fluctuation in lodging rates they can be an economical and enchanting alternative for your stay. The key to staying in Ruidoso is….BOOK EARLY! It’s NEVER too early to plan that journey.

Ruidoso has a variety of lodging accommodations. The big chains are here…Motel 6, Hawthorn Suites, Comfort Inn and many more. After having traveled more than a few times on business, I’ve seen enough of the chains formula. It is clean, comfortable and predictable but then again that is what they want! For my money, locally owned and operated hotels, cabins and lodges add charm and intrigue to your stay. No two are the same and each has their own brand of amenities and environment. Let’s meet some of Ruidoso’s best!

The Village Lodge in an all suite facility. The entire lodge is non-smoking with one and two bedroom suites. Each suite has a kitchenette and fireplace with a shared hot tub and picnic area on the grounds. The Village Lodge is owned and operated by Charles and Jane who have a knack for making each and every stay enjoyable. The lodge is located at 1000 Mechem (Hwy 48) in Ruidoso.

Further north on Highway 48 is the Casa del Cocinero Bed and Breakfast. Translated from Spanish that would be “House of the Chef”. The inn is operated by Hal who happens to be quite a chef and one of the most accommodating men I’ve ever met. Breakfast is the event but other amenities including an in-room hot tub make the Casa del Cocinero one of the areas most rewarding “finds”.

The Sitzmark Chalet is a touch of old world Europe in the heart of the New Mexico Mountains. Your hosts, Todd and Lori have a small but extremely comfortable hotel. Located near the heart of Ruidoso on Sudderth Drive the Sitzmark has reasonably priced rooms, a hot tub and picnic area. Stop and say Hi! Todd and Lori will provide a generous dose of area hospitality.

Nestled in the heart of Ruidoso is the West Winds Lodge. Bob and Kristine will welcome you to a warm, inviting getaway complete with a hot tub and indoor swimming pool. The lodge is just a short walk from the restaurants, galleries and shops dotting the Ruidoso mid town area. A walk through the Porticos of the West Winds Lodge will create memories for a lifetime.