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Taos, NM

Taos

If you fancy your skiing steep and deep in an uncrowded resort with views of the New Mexican desert, then Taos Valley is your Valhalla. Unless, that is, you are a snowboarder—in which case forget it, boarders are not allowed. There are few ski areas left that are still run by the founding family with a passion for skiing, and with such a welcoming feel, But Taos is one of them.
 

Our Rating:

Advanced ****
Intermediate ***
Beginner *
The cacti and sagebush of the arid New Mexican desert might not seem an obvious location for a ski resort, but the big mountain that overshadows Taos Ski Valley offers some of the most legendary double black diamond skiing to be found in the United States. And intermediates and beginners won’t feel left out either, with plenty of varied runs and an excellent ski school that all levels are encouraged to join. Taos is about as far south as you can get for big skiing in the Rockies, and it is very Alpine, very welcoming, very secluded, and very much still family-run. You’ll not find a big development with lots of razzamatazz, just good, honest, challenging skiing in unique and breathtaking surroundings.
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Taos, NM at a glance
 

On the mountain

Ski area

Taos Valley is set in a north-facing bowl in the Carson National Forest and is known for its expert terrain. more...

 

Lift system

There are 12 lifts in total, which is double what it used to be: 4 fixed grip quads, 1 triple, 5 doubles, and 2 surface lifts. more...

 

Ski schools & guiding

Taos has excellent ski schools and its instructors are second to none —indeed, Ski Magazine named Olympic Gold Medallist and Taos Valley Ski Instructor Deb Armstrong one of three “Instructors of the Year”. more...

 

Beginner

Although Taos was built as a ski resort for advanced and expert skiers, the current management is very insistent that it is an equally good place for first-time skiers. more...

 

Intermediate

The intermediate class is the broad church of skiing and intermediate skiers in Taos will enjoy it more if they are not at the lower end of the performance curve. more...

 

Advanced

Taos lives up to its reputation as the resort for hard, fast skiers. more...

 

Mountain restaurants

Taos features an amazing array of intimate restaurants for such a compact resort. more...

 

Ski Map

open Taos Ski map

Off the mountain

Village

The resort grew out of one man’s vision: Ernie Blake spotted from his Cessna 170 what seemed to be a vast natural snow basin and he moved to Taos valley lock, stock, and camper van in 1955. more...

 

Accommodation

For somewhere in the American Southwest, the Taos Valley has a strangely Austrian feel. more...

 

Après-ski

There are some half dozen bars including Martini Tree Bar (upstairs from Tenderfoot Katie’s) which is one of the hot spots for après-ski action with live music, pool tables, a sushi selection, and wall hangings displaying Taos’s history. more...

 

Other activities

Taos Ski Valley is not Colorado so don’t go there expecting non-stop glitz and entertainment. more...

 

Getting there

Taos, in northern New Mexico, is not really near anywhere. more...

 

 

Navigation

Quick access

Resort shortcuts

Taos facts

Ski Area

Base9,207 ft
2,806 m
Summit12,481 ft
3,804 m
Elevation3,274 ft
988 m
Area size1,294 a
524 ha

 

Trails/runs

Number of trails110
Advanced51 %
Intermediate25 %
Beginner24 %

 

Lifts

Surface lifts2

 

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