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Cool mountain air. Shimmering, fish-filled lakes. Miles of forest trails for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter. Not exactly what comes to mind when you think of New Mexico, is it?

Welcome to Ruidoso, a pine-shaded oasis in the sea of desert that comprises much of southern New Mexico. Offering an abundance of outdoor activities, a vibrant art scene, and rich history, this laid-back village of 7,500 residents is the perfect cure for Coloradans itching to discover mountain towns outside our borders.

That抖阴ap easier than ever now, thanks to from Denver to Ruidoso鈥檚 Sierra Blanca Regional Airport. The new route — the airport抖阴ap first commercial service offering in more than 15 years — provides a double benefit, according to Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford.

鈥淚t gives our locals access to other markets, where they can fly to Denver and then anywhere in the world,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t also opens our doors to visitors from the Denver market so they can discover what makes our town special.鈥�

Here鈥檚 what you can expect if you venture down to this lesser-known corner of our neighboring state.

Endless outdoor adventure

Ruidoso lies just outside the 1.1 million-acre Lincoln National Forest, making it a prime basecamp for all manner of outdoor recreation. Hundreds of miles of trails are available for hiking, biking, horseback riding, and off-roading, and three scenic lakes beckon anglers, kayakers, photographers, and wildlife spotters. Much of the forest is open to hunting, as well.

, located minutes from downtown, is a veritable one-stop shop for all of the above. It features 18 miles of multi-use singletrack paths ranging from moderate lakeside loops to steep ridgeline climbs. Its waters are open to nonmotorized vessels and are regularly stocked with rainbow trout and occasionally catfish and smallmouth bass. There鈥檚 also a beach, a floating water park, a horse stable, and a 27-hole, 81-par disc golf course that hosts the annual New Mexico Disc Golf Championships.

Lincoln National Forest is also home to Ski Apache, the country鈥檚 southernmost ski resort. Averaging 15 feet of snowfall each winter, the resort claims to offer the 鈥渂est warm-weather powder skiing in the world.鈥� During summer, adrenaline junkies can get their fix on the downhill mountain biking trails and extensive zip line course.

Brilliant night skies

Because of its minimal light pollution, reasonably priced lodging options, and proximity to superb stargazing spots, Ruidoso is ranked No. 5 in the nation for affordable astrotourism, . Celestial enthusiasts can opt for an聽evening drive into the surrounding wilderness or make an entire night of it in one of the forest抖阴ap numerous campgrounds.

White Sands National Park, located less than an hour鈥檚 drive southwest of Ruidoso, stays open late each month on the night of the full moon so visitors can experience the radiance of the dunes under lunar glow. These events often feature live music, ranger programs, and special guest presenters and artists.

Authentic Southwestern art and culture

For the second year in a row, Ruidoso was named the No. 1 in the country by USA TODAY. Midtown, the walkable heart of the village, is lined with locally owned galleries and shops featuring everything from fine art and handmade jewelry to regionally sourced antler lighting and antique guns.

Collectors won鈥檛 want to miss The Adobe Fine Art, an award-winning 10,000-foot space filled with oil paintings of cowboys and gunslingers, fiber sculptures of Native American warriors, traditional Pueblo pottery, and much more. Tanner Tradition specializes in turquoise jewelry and handcrafted textiles made by skilled Navajo, Zuni, Hopi, and other Indigenous artisans. At Wooly Bears, shoppers can tap into their inner mountain spirit and take home a genuine buffalo coat, a mounted moose skull, or a breastplate made with animal bones, beads, and leather.

Colorful murals painted by local artists adorn many of the buildings around town, and the nearby Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts hosts world-class performances in theater, music, and dance — not to mention four Dale Chihuly glass installations.

The highlight of Ruidoso鈥檚 cultural calendar is the annual Art and Wine Festival, a juried fine art show that brings together more than 100 celebrated artists from across the country.

An eclectic look into the past

Ruidoso is situated along the , an 84-mile loop named after one of the most infamous outlaws in American history. Visitors can walk in his footsteps at the Lincoln Historic Site, a real Wild West town preserved as it was in the 1880s. The main attraction here is the Old Lincoln County Courthouse, where Kid made his last daring escape from jail and killed two deputies in the process. John Tunstall鈥檚 store, the establishment of which instigated the Lincoln County Wars, is still stocked with original 19th-century merchandise such as ammunition and men鈥檚 suit buttons.

Another must-see stop along the route is Fort Stanton Historic Site. Established in 1855 as a military post to fight against the Mescalero Apache, the fort went on to play a minor role in the Civil War and later served as a tuberculosis sanitorium and a World War II internment camp.

Visitors can poke around in buildings like the soldiers鈥� barracks, the hospital, the officers鈥� quarters, and the Catholic chapel, many of which contain period artifacts and informative exhibits. Those feeling brave can join a flashlight-only night tour led by historians and paranormal researchers.

Up the road in Capitan, kids will enjoy learning how an orphaned bear cub with burnt paws became a national ambassador for wildfire prevention at Smokey Bear Historical Park. The park contains the final resting place of Smokey himself, as well as a memorial honoring fallen firefighters and a small museum.

For more information and to plan your trip, visit .com.