Less that 150 miles from the Texas border, nestled amongst cool mountain pines, lies the beautiful village of Ruidoso, N.M. and America’s southernmost ski area, the Ski Apache resort. With a great snowfall this season and a wealth of entertainment options for the entire family, now is the perfect time to get reaquainted with one of New Mexico’s favorite winter destinations.

For skiers and snowboarders, it all starts with Ski Apache. The resort offers some of the best warm weather powder skiing in the world with snowmaking on 33% of the mountain. The slopes offer a mix of wide beginner slopes, tough bump runs, a huge bowl, nice cruising runs, and a terrain park with jumps, tubes, and rails.

One of the most special features of the resort is the Gazebo just below the 12,000-foot Sierra Blanca peak. Accessible by New Mexico’s only passenger Gondola, the ride to the top offers sweeping views of the pristine forest below followed by breathtaking panoramic views at the mountain top.

For those looking for an adrenaline-pumping ride back down the mountain, the Apache Wind Rider Zip Tour is a three-part zipline adventure that whisks you nearly 9,000 feet with top speeds hitting 65 miles per hour. Plus, with parallel cables, you can glide down the mountain side-by-side with your favorite person.

Back on terra firma, there’s plenty more to explore.

The sparkling Inn of the Mountain Gods — owned and operated by the Mescalero Apache Tribe — offers impeccable service, mouthwatering cuisine, hot gaming action, lively entertainment, a championship golf course, and more incredible alpine scenery to nurture your soul. From the moment you arrive, you’ll be enchanted by original works of art throughout the property, roaring fireplaces in the lobby, and a tranquil setting that makes the everyday world feel a million miles away.

Any season is the perfect time to wander the boutiques of Ruidoso’s walkable midtown shopping district for unique clothing, art, and hand-crafted Native American and designer jewelry. There’s also plenty of fabulous restaurants and bars to keep your palate happy.

Meanwhile, Old West buffs will love immersing themselves in the history of Billy the Kid Country by discovering historic Lincoln and Fort Stanton, where the Wild West lives on.

At the end of the day, do what Ruidoso does best — find a cabin in the woods, a full resort or luxury vacation rental and put your feet up on the deck. Take time to observe the wildlife, enjoy the cool breeze, and revel in the scenic beauty of one of the Land of Enchantment’s most unique mountain villages.