Taos Ski Valley Village
Taos Ski Valley’s village is an interesting hodge podge of small, independently-owned businesses that sprung up around the base area. 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.The Hondo Lodge (now the Inn at Snakedance) was his first building and the first lift was installed with the help of 16 locals and a mule. The resort was run by Ernie’s family until quite recently and this “hands-on” heritage gives the village a compact, cozy, welcoming feel. But don’t just take our word for it-editors at Ski magazine have given the resort their “Top Choice” accolade too.
However, there are those that would say that Taos’ base village is tired and somewhat rundown. A major base area redevelopment is underway to breathe life into the aging resort core while still respecting the unique “mom and pop” feel of the village.
Nearby, the town of Taos has plenty of accommodations and attractions. It is a former Spanish settlement featuring picturesque adobe architecture typical of the local Native American culture. (Adobe is earth mixed with water and straw, then either poured into forms or made into sun-dried bricks.) The climate and architecture made Taos an artists’ and writers’ colony-D.H. Lawrence lived here during the 1920s (his ranch is maintained by the University of New Mexico) and famous frontiersman Kit Carson lived here too. The local Indian (Pueblo) culture goes back over 1,000 years. Today Taos is well known as a haven for artists and it boasts many varied galleries. Taos is also the home of the oldest inhabited Native American Pueblo (village) in the U.S.