Sometimes being a ski writer is the worst job in the world, especially when you come across a resort like Taos – I just want to get out there and experience it for myself. The resort trail guide is more inviting than a warm Mediterranean, with its tree-lined reds and blues, long blacks and endless opportunities for back-country skiing on fat-boys. The statistics are even more impressive – over 300 inches of annual snow fall and 300 days on sun (how do you get those two together?), 13 lifts giving an hourly capacity of 15000, 115 trails, 1000 meters of vertical, a terrain park and 100% snowmaking on all but the black slopes.
Located 180 kilometres northeast of Albuquerque in northern New Mexico, this hidden gem even has an airport a stones-throw away in the local town, which also has a great range of hotels and typical American dining opportunities. The resort also offers snow tubing, snowshoeing, snow scooter rides and a gym.
Taos is one of the premier resorts in the United States. It is a full service ski area frequented by celebrities. There are 1,294 skiable acres with a vertical drop of 3,274 feet. The average annual snowfall is 300 inches and they have the snowmaking capabilities to blanket the beginner and intermediate level slopes with snow.
The 115 trails vary in difficulty with the longest run being 30,360 feet. Beginners can enjoy 24 percent of the terrain while intermediates can play on 25 percent. Advanced and expert enthusiasts have exclusive use of 51 percent of the trails. There is a terrain park as well as a snow tubing area.
Lodging on the mountain is available and high end. Restaurants and lounges can also be found at the resort. It is not uncommon to eat dinner next to a movie star at Taos Ski Valley.
