Nestled beneath the summit of 12,000-foot Sierra Blanca, highest peak in the Sacramento Mountains of southeastern New Mexico, Ruidoso (Reo-do-so) is an oasis of green surrounded by vast expanses of rugged high desert. With a year-round population of only 8,000 (it swells to 30,000 during the summer), Ruidoso offers a relaxed lifestyle and an array of attractions that make much larger resort destinations envious. Come for a long weekend or a week and discover it for yourself.

Spring, summer, and fall turn the town into a hub of almost limitless outdoor fun and adventure. Explore miles of backcountry trails meandering through fragrant evergreens and desert brush of the Lincoln National Forest; play golf on a half-dozen challenging courses; spend a day at renowned Ruidoso Downs racetrack, home to the All American Futurity, the richest quarter-horse race in the nation; tour the Hubbard Museum of the American West with its collections of Native American artifacts, artworks, historic wagons and stagecoaches, and exhibits from the Ruidoso Downs Racing Hall of Fame; or wander through the shops and galleries in Midtown, searching for just the right western painting or sculpture for your private collection.

Winter turns Ruidoso into a white wonderland. Ski Apache, tucked in the shadow of Sierra Blanca, draw skiers and snow-boarder to slopes that challenge novices and experts alike. Interestingly, Ski Apache and Georgia's Sky Valley compete for the title of America's “southernmost" ski resort. However, the New Mexico slopes, situated above 9,000 feet, receive nearly 15 feet of snow each winter - about ten times the amount that falls in northern Georgia.

There is something for the entire family along the Billy the Kid National Scenic Byway, tracing a 40-mile loop through the surrounding countryside. Begin your adventure into the "Wild West" at the Byway Visitors' Center in Ruiodoso before traveling into the ruggedly beautiful hill and mesa country beneath New Mexico's fabled blue skies. Sites along the way include historic Fort Stanton, once a remote cavalry post and home to the famous Buffalo Soldiers led by "Black Jack" Pershing (who later commanded allied forces in World War I). Just a short distance away, you may take a trip back in time aboard the Lincoln County Overland Stage, an authentically reproduced stagecoach that carries passengers along a five-mile section of the 150-year old Ozanne Trail that once connected Fort Stanton with the village of Lincoln.

Billy the Kid earned fame as a cold-blooded outlaw in Lincoln - or was he a Robin Hood-like character as some believe? Visit the museum and explore the town. Sift through facts and myths, and then decide for yourself. Today, the entire community is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (locals say that if the "kid" came riding into town, he would still recognize it as home).

Further along the Byway is the village of Capitan, birthplace of "Smokey the Bear." More than a half century ago, a small cub was found clinging to a tree following a fire in the nearby Capitan Mountains. The injured animal was nursed back to health and nicknamed "Smokey," becoming the U.S. Forest Service's official fire prevention "spokes-bear." Stop in at the museum to learn the story and visit Smokey's grave.

On the return to Ruidoso, make a short side trip to the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts outside Alto. The strikingly designed building of sharply angled limestone and glass reflects the silhouette of Sierra Blanca rising above the horizon to the south. This $22 million center was a gift from the late Jackie Spencer Morgan, a now deceased Ruidoso resident and generous art patron. Today, the intimate, 514-seat theater presents theatrical and musical performances by artists from around the world. In summer, audiences are treated to outdoor concerts beneath a tapestry of luminous stars.

Ruidoso is also an ideal hub for exploring attractions beyond the Byway. Roswell with its UFO mysteries, Alamogordo and the glistening dunes of White Sands National Monument, Three Rivers Petroglyphs National Recreation Area, and Valley of the Fires State Park near Carrizozo are each less than two hours' drive away.

Lodgings in and around Ruidoso range from motels, cabins, and rustic B&B's, to the luxurious new Inn of the Mountain Gods Hotel, Resort and Casino located on the Mescalero Apache Reservation. The inn offers elegant accommodations, world class dining, 24-hour gaming and entertainment, and championship golf and tennis, all in a spectacular natural setting amid the Sacramento Mountains.

Despite its ranking as the third most popular tourism destination in New Mexico (behind Albuquerque and Santa Fe), Ruidoso seems almost unknown outside the Southwest. With its rich mix of scenic beauty, history, and outdoor recreation, it may not remain a secret much longer.

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