We just got back from vacation. A friend of ours has a little cabin in the Cloudcroft area (near Ruidoso) I have been thru the state before but never had time to tour. I have to say I really enjoyed it.
The mountains in that part of the state are beautiful. Cloudcroft is about 8k and sierra blanca is about 10k. Hiking at 7k was a bit of a chore for a guy from sea level and I can tell that at 44 years old I need more treadmill work LOL. We drove up to the top of Sierra Blanca (or mount Baldy depending on who you ask) The view was amazing!
If I was a skier I might go back in the winter just to check it out. It didnt look like it had the yuppies that Colorado attracts but I could be wrong.
Anyhow if your from the area
its a nice place 
