Hi: I am planning a 7-10 day vacation to Ruidoso for a family of 4 with a 15 year old & 12 year old. I need advice in picking the best time of the year to get the most out of our visit. It's either March (Spring Break) or June-August (Summer Break). We are all pretty laid back and are easily entertained. We have never skied, but wouldn't mind trying...maybe tubing, sledding? We would be driving from the Austin, TX area. Any thoughts or comments as to the best time of year to get the most out of our visit to Ruidoso? How about any recommendations for lodging/cabins? And is there anything we shouldn't miss seeing or doing during our visit. Thanks!!!

I'm not sure what to say about March or June-August, but if you are looking for snow for tubing, Ruidoso Winter Park is open through mid-March. My parents took my niece and nephew and they loved it. We made the trip to Ruidoso via El Paso. We made a loop to White Sands National Park (amazing), Alamogordo (space museum), Ruidoso, Roswell (great fun), and then Carlsbad Caverns (also amazing). Besides Carlsbad Caverns, you could make day trips to see most of these or visit on your drive in. To be honest, besides visiting the casino and shopping downtown, we didn't do much in Ruidoso but sit in our cabin and relax. I would like to suggest Story Book Cabins if you need a place to stay. Wonderful property and people. It's an interesting area and if you can stay a night in Carlsbad, I wouldn't miss the caverns. Enjoy.

Just got back from a week trip to Carlsbad and Ruidoso, also from Austin. 7.5 hrs to Carlsbad (man, I-10 is nice at 80mph) and another 2.5 hrs to Ruidoso. Don't know about SB vs summer as this was our first time there. I recommend one of the many cabins in the Upper Canyon area. We stayed at Dan Dee and would recommend them. As for other things to do, White Sands and Cloudcroft are a must. The hikes and dune sledding in White Sands were really neat, and Cloudcroft is a cool little town. Skating and sledding in the winter, biking and hiking in the summer. For some great FREE sledding (Winter park in Ruidoso is OK, but it is expensive and VERY crowded), go to the National Forest recreation area around mile marker 6 on the Sunspot Highway south of Cloudcroft. Check out Cafe Rio for dining in Ruidoso, with a great mixture of foods and an "Austin" feel.

Are you completely sold on the idea of Ruidoso? We are from the San Antonio area and took our 2 boys to Ruidoso years ago for a ski trip. I didn't realize that to ski would be a harrowing drive up to the ski area each day. The worst thing was the employees passing cars on this narrow, winding, no-pass road going up the mountain. Also, we found the lodging to be expensive, and the snow was not great. If you are open to other spots, for skiing I would suggest Angel Fire, which is where we've gone 7 or 8 times since the ill-fated Ruidoso trip, or Cloudcroft for the summer time frame. Angel Fire has an excellent ski school and makes snow if there's not enough. We've been to Cloudcroft quite a few times, it's a good location for day trips and there's forest for hiking, etc.

Carlsbad Cavern along the way is a must see if you haven't been before. If you are there in the summer be sure and see the bat flight. See them in morning and night, it is worth it. They have an annual Bat Flight Breakfast one time per year that is very very good. This is usually first week in August. They set up telescopes all night and give stargazing lessons and advice. 2 years ago Mr. Hale (Hale-Bop Comet) was even there. Check the website for this year. Reguardless of when you go, I would highly reccomend a WILD CAVE TOUR. Hall Of The White Giants is fantastic. Don't miss it. Be one of the 10 people per week that get to see it. If you can't do that one, then do Spider Cave. No spiders in the cave, just a name. Make reservations now for any wild cave tour. They fill up fast. There are age and weight restrictions. Min age is 12. Our daugther did it at age 12 and loved it. If you are overweight, forget it. You won't fit through. I would skip Ruidoso, unless snow skiing there. I am not sure if they have tubing hill or not. You would want to spend 1.5-2 days at Carlsbad to experience everything.

White Sands is National Monument. Not National Park.

Ruidoso is a beautiful little village in the tall pines. We have visited it many times over the past year and a half. We like to stay at JD's Tree House in Ruidoso. It has a full kitchen, and a hot tub. Lots of Texans in town.

Could someone recommend a wild tour at the caverns for 2 kids (10 and 12) and 2 adults (one adult on the large side but in good physical condition). Thanks