Tag Archive for: taos

Mike Roth

A New Yorker Discovers New Mexico Resorts

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A Veteran Skier Can’t Find Ice On His Visit To Taos, Angel Fire, Ski Santa Fe.

Taos Kachina Peak is at 12,481 where the snow stays cold. Credit: Taos

The past three times I skied here in the East the skiing was good.  That means the trails were all skiable but every run you would encounter different conditions.  Most mornings after a cold night, you will find nice groomed corduroy which had set up overnight due to the cold temperatures.  We have not received much snow but thank God for snow making.  After a run or two the firm corduroy changes to loose large granular pieces. Then after a couple more runs that will change to a fine granulated sugar, again very skiable.  As the day progresses that sugar finds its way to the sides of the trails and the rest of the trail, especially the slightly steeper spots get scrappy and eventually Boiler plate.  Time to go home!

Now once in awhile you will hit a day when it was snowing or had just snowed.  Here in the Northeast this seems to be happening less and less and I am convinced that it is a product of global warming.

As Eastern Skiers we can usually ski any condition as it changes throughout the day and lately that has been the norm.  I still love it but it can get frustrating.

Compare that to skiing out West. West, as in New Mexico. Mountains? You bet.

Here’s what I discovered on a recent trip. The New Mexico ski areas are much higher than the Northeast and as you climb up you get colder and receive more major snowstorms.  Skiing at Taos, Red River and Santa Fe you will be skiing approximately from 9,000 ft. to 12,000 feet, that’s 6,000 feet higher than the tallest mountain in the Northeastern United States which is mount Washington in New Hampshire (6288″). 

The average snowfall in Taos is around 300″ per year of very dry fluffy powder due to the high elevation.    It’s 220″ at Ski Santa Fe, 214″ at Red River. With the higher elevations the temps are lower and the snow sits longer. Compared that to the Eastern ski areas where the elevations are below 4,000 feet.  Whiteface is the highest ski area at 4,650′ with average snowfall of just over 100″. Altitude, acreage, the snow and  weather is all the difference.

In the East we fight icy weather conditions up to 4,000 ft., whereas the higher and drier climate of the Rockies are well above 10,000 feet above sea level.

In the East there are wind chills that are very, very cold, where out West it is sunny during the day with Blue Bird sunny skiers. (Most of the time, it seems.)

Moguls are hard and icy here in the East but in the West they are constantly soft snow. No matter how big the moguls may be they are usually always soft so you actually can be a hero out West while in the East you battle the ice on the downside of almost every one. 

Length of trails at all the New Mexico areas were substantial, open Bowls compared to dense trees of the Eastern trails.  Bigger vertical gets plenty of skiing in the West compared to skiing shorter lifts in the East and more runs. 

Taos has the most expert terrain especially now that you don’t have to hike Kachina peak with 1294 acres 51% expert 25% intermediate and 21% beginner. There was only one main lift that gets you to the numerous other fixed grip lifts on the mountain.

Angel Fire has some two mile runs, and best of all 70-75 seniors pay $29, 75+ pay zero. Credit: Angel Fire

Angel Fire has 560 acres of skiing  with 23% expert 56% intermediate and 21% beginner with  their main Chile Express lift over 2 miles long so all the runs down are very long. Their two main lifts are hi speed and you get plenty of skiing in a day. And Angel Fire loves seniors: 70-74 pay $29 a day, over 75 free. 

SkiSantaFe has super senior (72+) tickets for $0. Thanks guys.

Ski Santa Fe was the smallest in skiable acres with 660 acres 40% expert 40% intermediate and 20% beginner but still had plusses. One of which is that you can stay in Santa Fe and drive to the ski area and enjoy the culture. And seniors 72 plus ski free at this resort. Thanks, Ski Santa Fe.

Bottom Line: New Mexico Ski Resorts enjoy low humidity, consistently low temperatures due to elevation and enough snowfall that ice doesn’t form.  It is consistently packed powder from top to bottom

Val E

SeniorsSkiing Guide: Taos—High, Dry, And Full Of Culture

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Some People Say The Best Four Letter Word About Skiing Is “Taos.”

Big, high, dry, up in the sky: That’s Taos. Credit: Val E.

When I looked up at the main slope, I was speechless, then the words came—steep, moguls, trees. Wow. At 12,000 ft, Taos’ Mt. Kachina is close to the top of the World.

The resort is located in northern New Mexico, which one seasoned skier described as “a mix of a desert and mountains, unusual and beautiful.” The Blake family discovered, founded, developed, and an Taos Ski Resort since the mid fifties.

In 2013, new management built new lifts, hotels, and other facilities. The result is a cute, small, Euro-style village with an obvious French-Swiss touch and a huge mountain with well groomed slopes, moguls, cornices, glades, and trees almost up to the very top. Snow is quite dry there because of the altitude. Taos is a breathtaking resort in more ways than one; the town is the highest municipality in the US.

Secret Knowledge

Note single chair on left. Credit: Val E.

Kachina Peak is the highest peak reachable by a triple chair in the North American Continent.

Resort lodging options include hotels, condominiums, and bed and breakfasts. The new jewel of Taos is the luxury Hotel Blake, named for the resort founders. The interior is elegant, the restaurant is high-end, and the rental area looks like a high tech lab.

The Ernie Blake Snowsports School is one of the highest rated ski schools in North America. Ski instructing services for groups, especially for ski clubs, were quite reasonably priced.

One of the best parts, besides the slopes and snow, is super friendly employees. Ski lift operators and ski patrol people were waving and smiling like old friends. One ski resort host kindly ride with me just to introduce to the mountain.

Community

During my week stay at the resort, I talked to a few local skiers, some of them were from the 50+ category.

Here is what an expert skier, originally from Hollywood, said: “I moved to Taos after 16 years in Los Angeles in the film business. Taos is a ski town which has world class skiing and an ancient cultural heritage—one of the oldest in the US. It’s also an artist’s town and has dozens of galleries. Taos gives you access to a wider choice of restaurants and apres ski activities. It is great for couples where one doesn’t ski or who like cultural activities.”

A very confident female skier shared: “We came to live in Taos from NYC after years of skiing here. My husband doesn’t ski anymore. He wanted to retire in a friendly community with a synagogue. Now I ski Kachina peak almost every day.”

Another young looking retiree told me: “I am from St. Louis, flat country. I ski in winter and hike in summer. People come to Taos because you can be whoever you want to be, and nobody is asking questions here.”

Taos Ski Valley is a rugged mountain, pioneered by people who put skiing first and all else second. If Virginia is for lovers, then Taos is for skiers!

Taos By The Numbers

2.5 hours by car/bus from Albuquerque International airport

4 espresso bars, including one ski in, ski out

15 lifts

25 miles to Colorado

$105—one day adult ski ticket (18-64); $85—one day senior ski ticket (65-79); 80+ year old – ski free

$408 ski pass for 6 days (65-79); shorter day pass combinations are available

110 trails 55 for beginner/intermediate and 55 for advanced/expert skiers.

305 in—average annual snowfall

7,000 ft—Taos city altitude

9,207 ft—Taos Ski Resort

12,481 ft—Kachina Peak

Click here for Trail Map

Click here for Taos Ski Resort Website

Trees up to the top are a trademark of Taos. Credit: Val E.

 

seniorsskiing

SHORT SWINGS!

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CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley Alpine Meadows won USA Today’s 2017 Readers’ Choice Poll for ‘Best Ski Resort.’ The resort secured top spot in the 2016 poll, as well.

IDAHO

McCall, ID is near from Brundage Mountain, the 2000′ vertical resort advertising the “best snow in Idaho. About 10 minutes from the mountain is Shore Lodge, with luxury accommodations and a spa built around natural hot springs. McCall’s annual Winter Carnival with many motor- and non-motorized activities will happen January 27-February 5, 2017.

NEW YORK

The Spa at the Mirror Lake Inn Resort in Lake Placid, has undergone a $1 million makeover. Always a terrific location, Mirror Lake Inn Resort has just become even better.

 

PENNSYLVANNIA

At least 18 of the state’s ski areas are now open. Check local details before going.

QUEBEC

Mont-Sainte-Anne and Stoneham Mountain Resort have a lot planned for Christmas and New Years. Learn about Santa’s visits, treats, kids activities, music, banquets, races, fireworks at: Stoneham / Mont-Sainte-Anne

UTAH

Deer Valley published a You Tube tribute to Stein Eriksen. It is lovely and will bring back memories.

OTHER

Clean Trails is establishing a national network of trail stewards for the country’s pristine wild places, collective community spaces, and access points to its natural wonders. It’s mission is to keep trail systems litter-free. The group’s slogan, Love the Land. Lose the Litter. says it all. To participate visit http://cleantrails.org 

Orsden is a new line of extremely good looking and reasonably priced high quality 4-way stretch ski parkas. Features are comparable to much more expensive brands. Orsden parkas (on-line, direct-to-consumer, only): $330, with free shipping.

GetSkiTickets.com, the online lift ticket seller, is offering a free trip for two to Taos with three nights lodging, three days of skiing, ski and/or board rentals, and two pairs of hand crafted mittens.

Anti-Freeze Face Tape reduces risk of frostbite for people playing in the cold. Each package contains four pre-cut pieces to cover nose and cheeks or to cut your own. Haven’t tried it yet, but unlike masks and tubes, this won’t fog your goggles. Available in flesh, blue and pink. $4.99 per pack. Available at select x-country ski centers and online.

seniorsskiing

Short Swings!

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trailmasterimage_CALIFORNIA

Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows announced that the The Audi FIS Women’s Alpine World Cup at Squaw Valley (March 9 – 12, 2017) will be 100% carbon neutral. The area will materially reduce and offset emissions directly related to the event. Activities will include composting, fresh water stations (both areas discontinued sale of single use plastic ater bottles last season — the first in the nation to do so), and a variety of car-pooling and other eco-friendly transportation options.

Mountain High, 90 minutes from Los Angeles and Orange County, is open for the season. It bills itself as   Southern California’s learn to ski and snowboard resort. 70+ are free, every day.

NEW MEXICO

The Town of Taos was selected as the country’s top ski town in a USA Today 10Best Reader’s Choice contest. Other cities in the running included Whitefish, Montana and North Conway, New Hampshire.

QUEBEC

The annual Quebec Winter Carnival will take place January 27-29. It is the classic winter event. If you plan to go, dress for the cold!

UTAH

Brighton Resort is open and operating from top to bottom.

Park City Mountain Resort lifts are now running for the season. It is the largest ski resort in the US and has something for every skier and boarder. Like most other Utah resorts, it’s a short ride from the airport.

VERMONT

Okemo announced that opening day featured top to bottom terrain, a feat it has achieved for four opening days in a row. Thank you, snow making crew!  Okemo is also planning demo days on 12/10-11.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Several resorts are planning to open this weekend in New Hampshire.  Black Mountain, Cranmore, Gunstock, and Ragged Mountain are making snow and grooming.  Check conditions before you go with Ski New Hampshire. 

OTHER

Patagonia’s Black Friday sales hit $10 million, 100% of which was donated to grassroots environmental organizations working around this fragile planet of ours. Thank you, Patagonia!

Mountain Collective provides two days of skiing at 14 iconic North American resorts, including Alta/Snowbird; Squaw Valley/Alpine Meadows, Jackson Hole, Revelstoke, Whistler Blackcomb, and Stowe. The pass costs $419. Pass holders get 50% off additional days (no blackouts). It is ski value at its best if travel plans take you to those great locations.

Timber Creek Lodge is a new relaity show on the Bravo network. It’s set in an upscale ski lodge and, based on the trailer, features a selection of curvaceous and hard body youngsters doing what they can to please the patrons and each other. Premiers Monday, December 5th at 10pm ET/PT.