2009 Powder Resort Guide - Taos Ski Valley
Current Conditions : 43.7F / 6.5C, Clear - 12:02 PM MDT Mar. 16
Temperature: 43.7°F / 6.5°C | Humidity: 46% | Pressure: 30.48in / 1032.1hPa (Rising) | Conditions: Clear | Wind Direction: NW | Wind Speed: 3.0mph / 4.8km/h
Rest of Today as of Mar. 16 11:26 AM MDT
Rest of Today - Mostly sunny. Highs in the upper 40s to lower 50s.
Tonight as of Mar. 16 11:26 AM MDT
Tonight - Mostly clear. Lows 10 to 20.
Last spring, Taos Ski Valley opened its doors to snowboarding for the first time in 53 years of operation. The change rattled some traditionalists, but the presence of snowboarders doesn’t make Taos any less of a skier’s mountain. The Sangre de Cristo Mountains of New Mexico remain a pilgrimage every devout skier should make. Taos packs it all into 1,300 acres—steep chutes, technical trees, launchable cliffs and notorious fall line moguls. Three miles of interconnected ridges offer a week’s worth of entry points and hike-accessed Kachina Peak delivers a high alpine off-piste experience reminiscent of the Alps. And that feeling extends to the service and ambiance. Taos embodies authenticity. From old world inns serving family style dinners to crawling double chairs to a roster of lifelong employees, Taos remains the most soulful ski area in the West.
What’s New:
Taos is doubling the size of its terrain park (see, snowboarding ain’t all bad). The resort is also awaiting Forest Service approval to cut a new run for 2008-09. Expect steep glades similar to what you’d find on Taos’ famed Longhorn stash.
Inside Line:
For two of the steepest lift accessed runs in the country, hang a hard left at the Lorelei entrance, keep a high traverse and drop into Werner Chute (skier’s left) or Pierre’s (far skier’s right). The steep and obscure entrance generally deters any riff-raff. When you’re ready to hike, head for Trescow off Highline Ridge.
DETAILS
- Skitaos.org, 866.968.7386
- Lift Ticket: $66
- 12,481 feet (11,819 lift-served)
- Skiable Acres: 1,294
- Vertical: 3,244 feet (not lift-served)
- Annual Snowfall: 305 inches
