Ruidoso: Your next New Mexico getaway.
Explore Ruidoso: New Mexico's Award-Winning Cultural Oasis Gains New Denver Flights.
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Ruidoso, New Mexico is a pine-covered mountain town tucked into the Sacramento Mountains — and it just got a lot easier to reach. Contour Airlines recently launched nonstop flights from Denver to Ruidoso's Sierra Blanca Regional Airport, marking the airport's first commercial service in over 15 years, according to Trentonian.
The small town is also riding a wave of national recognition. USA TODAY named Ruidoso the No. 1 "Best Small Town Cultural Scene" in the country — for the second year in a row, Boston Herald reported.
A Mountain Escape Surrounded by 1.1 Million Acres of Forest
Ruidoso sits just outside Lincoln National Forest, which spans 1.1 million acres across southern New Mexico. The forest offers hundreds of miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and off-roading, according to Sun Sentinel. The town itself sits at around 6,900 feet in elevation, keeping temperatures cool even in summer.
The landscape is a sharp contrast to the flat desert that surrounds much of the region. Tall ponderosa pines line the streets. The Rio Ruidoso river runs through town. It feels more like Colorado than the New Mexico most people picture, Twin Cities noted.
New Nonstop Flights Put Ruidoso Within Easy Reach
The new Contour Airlines route from Denver is a big deal for a town that had no commercial flights for more than 15 years. Sierra Blanca Regional Airport now connects Ruidoso to one of the West's busiest travel hubs. That opens the door for quick weekend trips without a long drive through the desert, Journal Advocate reported.
Ruidoso is also reachable by car from El Paso in about two hours and from Albuquerque in roughly three. The new flight option adds flexibility for travelers coming from further away, according to Orlando Sentinel.
Art Galleries, History, and a Thriving Cultural Scene
Ruidoso's cultural pull is hard to miss. The town is home to the Hubbard Museum of the American West and dozens of local art galleries. Its arts scene draws collectors and casual visitors alike. That reputation helped earn it the top spot on USA TODAY's small town culture list two years running, Delco Times reported.
The area also carries deep history tied to the Lincoln County War of the 1870s — the same conflict that made Billy the Kid famous. The nearby town of Lincoln is a New Mexico state monument. History fans can walk the same streets where one of the Old West's most famous gunfights played out, News Herald noted.
Ski Slopes, Horse Racing, and Year-Round Things to Do
Ski Apache, one of the southernmost ski resorts in the U.S., sits just 16 miles from downtown Ruidoso. The resort sits at 11,500 feet and typically opens in late November. It draws skiers from Texas, Arizona, and beyond who want slopes without flying to Colorado, according to Boston Herald.
In summer, Ruidoso Downs Race Track hosts quarter horse racing — including the All American Futurity, one of the richest quarter horse races in the world with a purse that has reached $3 million. Between the outdoor adventure, the arts, and the events calendar, Ruidoso offers a packed itinerary in a small package, Sun Sentinel reported.
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