Like hiking? Skiing? Golfing? Are you a gambler who likes to bet the horses or play blackjack or poker? Or, maybe you’re more of a shopping and dining out kind of person. The wonderful thing about vacationing in the mountains of Ruidoso, NM, is that there are sure to be activities to cater to all types and age groups, but that no matter what you do, it’s against the backdrop of the stunning mountain scenery. But what of the weather, you ask?

Is vacationing in the mountains only for certain times of the year? Not at all! Pick your favorite season, choose your Mountain Air Cabins accommodation, and experience the beautiful year-round Ruidoso, NM weather.

Spring and Summer in the Ruidoso, NM Mountains

Early June to late August is pretty much the warm season for Ruidoso, NM. Plenty of shade from those 100-foot-tall pines you’ll be surrounded by to keep the climate bearable: during the spring and summer months, it rarely goes above 88 degrees. It typically stays around or below 81 degrees even in the middle of summer.

The summer nights enjoy an average temperature of 58 degrees, so you might even turn off that A/C and take in that sweet mountain air for an incomparable night’s sleep.

This makes it quite agreeable when it comes time to bike, hike, fish in the river, or relax around the outside of your cabin, where you can grill or take in the spectacular views from your front porch. You might also take long walks to view the wildlife or go bird-watching. Deer, elk, and turkey are just a few beautiful animals you might come across in these mountains. Even a black bear might be spotted!

From Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend, there’s the famous Ruidoso Down Race Track for exciting quarter horse and thoroughbred racing. All American Futurity purse for the quarter horse racing event is even larger than the Kentucky Derby purse!

Ruidoso, NM in the Fall 

Every Fall, people flock to mountain areas to take in the dazzling color that nature offers, and the Ruidoso, NM, mountains do not disappoint.

Fall is the time to ride the gondola at Ski Apache: it’s possible you won’t see the foliage in this way anywhere else! There are also trails for mountain biking (try the Grindstone Trail Loop or Cedar Creek: two of the more popular trails in the area).

You can also enjoy walks in the cooler, crisp air, where you’ll still encounter birds and other wildlife. Fishing is also a great activity. You can do the same in Fall as you can in the summer months.

The Ruidoso, NM, Winter Months

As you’d expect, the mountains get cold in the winter. However, it rarely falls below 18 degrees, even at night. But does this mean you can’t enjoy a lovely mountain vacation between November and February?

If you love this season, you can thoroughly enjoy a Mountain Air Cabin vacation in the winter! Cabins come with wood or gas fireplaces so that you can make it a cozy vacation for two during these cold months.

There’s also skiing if that’s your thing, as well as tubing and snowboarding at Ski Apache. This resort has 55 runs and trails and boasts the only eight-passenger gondola in the entire state! And you’ll love the horse-drawn sleigh rides offered at the Grindstone Stables.

For indoor activities, there’s your choice of three casinos (or hit them all), as well as lots of shopping at boutiques, specialty stores, and art galleries. While in town, you might also stop at a winery and one of the amazing Ruidoso local restaurants.

Best Weather Conditions in Ruidoso, NM

Of course, rain would be the biggest downer on a mountain vacation, so it’s important to know that Ruidoso experiences the most rainfall in August, with an average of 2.1 inches of rain during this time. From November – May, total rainfall is an average of 0.2 inches.

Throughout the winter, Ruidoso might see a total snow accumulation of just over 11 inches.

The greatest chance of humidity is between June and September, but the humidity levels stay at or below 30% even at its worst. 

Your Stay in the Ruidoso, NM Mountains

No matter the season, an outdoor vacation in the rustic mountains wouldn’t be complete without staying in rustic accommodations, and Mountain Air Cabins answers the call.

Cabins and cottages are found in the Upper Canyon, where you can hear the Rio Ruidoso River and be at one with the wildlife and surroundings. Cabins are one- to five-bedroom, with A/C, fireplace, fully stocked kitchens, grills, and even WiFi! We even have pet-friendly cabins in Ruidoso! Or, you might choose a three-bedroom condo complete with a game room (Ping Pong, foosball, and pool table) and multiple decks.