Taos?

I don't know anything about Taos, and have never even heard of anyone going there.

My wife wants to go somewhere this spring, but not skiing. She would like to go to Marco Island, but I really hate Florida. We went to Sedona last year and she enjoyed it, so I was thinking maybe Santa Fe this year. Then I realized Taos wasn't too far from there, and maybe we could spend a few days there. (She skis, but only very casually).

I live in upstate NY and wanted to try Western snow before I died. I have been to Squaw Valley and found the groomed trails great, but the ungroomed were like skiing in deep mud. My understanding is that the Rockies are very different.

So, should I consider Taos?

On Thursday, October 3, 2013 11:38:14 AM UTC-6, Toller wrote:
I don't know anything about Taos, and have never even heard of anyone going there.


My wife wants to go somewhere this spring, but not skiing. She would like to go to Marco Island, but I really hate Florida. We went to Sedona last year and she enjoyed it, so I was thinking maybe Santa Fe this year. Then I realized Taos wasn't too far from there, and maybe we could spend a few days there. (She skis, but only very casually).

I live in upstate NY and wanted to try Western snow before I died. I have been to Squaw Valley and found the groomed trails great, but the ungroomed were like skiing in deep mud. My understanding is that the Rockies are very different.

So, should I consider Taos?

I haven't been to Taos. But I would think of Las Vegas? 5.5 hrs to SLC and a couple of hours to Brian Head. Mesquite is a 80 miles closer and has casino's and golf courses, a mini Vegas. And Brian Head is an hour or so. The relative warmth of the area makes it GREAT in the winter.

If you don't golf, maybe you should learn. It would make Florida more enjoyable for you :-)

On Thursday, October 3, 2013 12:38:14 PM UTC-5, Toller wrote:

I don't know anything about Taos, and have never even heard of anyone going there.

My wife wants to go somewhere this spring, but not skiing. She would like to go to Marco Island, but I really hate Florida. We went to Sedona last year and she enjoyed it, so I was thinking maybe Santa Fe this year. Then I realized Taos wasn't too far from there, and maybe we could spend a few days there. (She skis, but only very casually).

I live in upstate NY and wanted to try Western snow before I died. I have been to Squaw Valley and found the groomed trails great, but the ungroomed were like skiing in deep mud. My understanding is that the Rockies are very different.

So, should I consider Taos?


Steep. Thin air (altitude is 10K at the base). Has a well-deserved reputation of having the most difficult beginner slope in North America. The local food is charitably described as "causes asses of fire." And they usually close in early March -- may be sooner this season, since the medium-range forecasts indicate a warmer and drier late fall and early winter.

Your average blue slope at Taos is marginally a black anywhere else. Your average black is a double-black or a "fall and die" everywhere else.

Unless there's fresh snow, some expert trails can be a little icy and treacherous (I've only seen one marked trail in the world that out-iced Longhorn). But if you've seen a photo of the "DON'T PANIC!" sign at the main lift -- well, it's true. There are some nice cruisers there, and the grooming has always been professional.

Since it's the closest ski hill to Texas, I go there the most often.

Santa Fe has more intermediate runs but it's got a higher base. Red River is a fun cowboy town with a fun little ski hill next to the city jail. Both are an easy drive from Taos.

So if you choose Taos, you've got two other resorts within an easy drive -- three if you count Angel Fire.

I would add -- northern New Mexico probably has more bluebird days than any other ski hill in North America.


Jim in Texas

On Thursday, October 3, 2013 11:38:14 AM UTC-6, Toller wrote:
I don't know anything about Taos, and have never even heard of anyone going there.



My wife wants to go somewhere this spring, but not skiing. She would like to go to Marco Island, but I really hate Florida. We went to Sedona last year and she enjoyed it, so I was thinking maybe Santa Fe this year. Then I realized Taos wasn't too far from there, and maybe we could spend a few days there. (She skis, but only very casually).



I live in upstate NY and wanted to try Western snow before I died. I have been to Squaw Valley and found the groomed trails great, but the ungroomed were like skiing in deep mud. My understanding is that the Rockies are very different.



So, should I consider Taos?

I've been there a few times and have always had good snow. Taos is a really nice town but the ski area is a bit of a drive from the town. The nice part is that it can be warm in town and still have good snow on the mountain but their season usually does end early. I wouldn't really compare Taos snow to 'Western snow' in Colorado, Utah or Wyoming. But Taos snow would generally be lighter than Squaw snow. As always, it varies.

Taos does have a lot of steep terrain but a lot of it is hike to off of Kachina peak. There are lots of well groomed blue and green runs and even casual skiers will enjoy them. As far as 'fall and die'? Well remember that's coming from a Texan.

On Thursday, October 3, 2013 11:38:14 AM UTC-6, Toller wrote:
I don't know anything about Taos, and have never even heard of anyone going there.



My wife wants to go somewhere this spring, but not skiing. She would like to go to Marco Island, but I really hate Florida. We went to Sedona last year and she enjoyed it, so I was thinking maybe Santa Fe this year. Then I realized Taos wasn't too far from there, and maybe we could spend a few days there. (She skis, but only very casually).



I live in upstate NY and wanted to try Western snow before I died. I have been to Squaw Valley and found the groomed trails great, but the ungroomed were like skiing in deep mud. My understanding is that the Rockies are very different.



So, should I consider Taos?

I've been there a few times and have always had good snow. Taos is a really nice town but the ski area is a bit of a drive from the town. The nice part is that it can be warm in town and still have good snow on the mountain but their season usually does end early. I wouldn't really compare Taos snow to 'Western snow' in Colorado, Utah or Wyoming. But Taos snow would generally be lighter than Squaw snow. As always, it varies.

Taos does have a lot of steep terrain but a lot of it is hike to off of Kachina peak. There are lots of well groomed blue and green runs and even casual skiers will enjoy them. As far as 'fall and die'? Well remember that's coming from a Texan.

As far as the town goes, it is a large artist community with many galleries and restaurants. Lots of good food and lots of Native American culture to view. You can easily spend a day there checking things out.

Toller wrote:
I don't know anything about Taos, and have never even heard of anyone going there.

My wife wants to go somewhere this spring, but not skiing. She would
like to go to Marco Island, but I really hate Florida. We went to Sedona
last year and she enjoyed it, so I was thinking maybe Santa Fe this year.
Then I realized Taos wasn't too far from there, and maybe we could spend
a few days there. (She skis, but only very casually).

I live in upstate NY and wanted to try Western snow before I died. I
have been to Squaw Valley and found the groomed trails great, but the
ungroomed were like skiing in deep mud. My understanding is that the
Rockies are very different.

So, should I consider Taos?

Taos is a pretty small ski area for a destination resort. The snow
conditions can be pretty questionable at times. I skied there once, and I
thought it was okay with I can see some very good ski runs and lines if
they get a good snow dump. If you are planning to ski there 2-3 days only,
and spend the rest of the time in Santa Fe, I think that is the way to
handle your ski trip. If you want to ski more than 2-3 days, you should
probably choose another place..

"Western Snow" comes in many shapes and forms... Basically it is
divided into two categories, Snow in Little Cottonwood Canyon (Aka
Snowbird and Alta) and other places in the Wasatch range and everywhere
else. Any snow coming from Pacific Storms and ski areas near the Pacific
Ocean will be moisture laden snow, aka "Sierra Cement" and "Cascade Crud".


My opinion is that if you are looking for Spring Skiing to Late Spring
Skiing, with some cultural attractions nearby, I would suggest
Whistler/Blackcomb. You and your wife can spend time at
Whistler/Blackcomb, and spend a couple days in Vancouver, walk around
Jericho Beach, see the Cherry trees blossom, go to the UBC (Univerisity of
British Columbia Anthropology Museum) the Vancouver Art Museum downtown,
have a very good meal in Kitsilano Neighborhood, etc.

However, if you want dry sunny weather as in the Southwest/Southern
Rockies, then Whistler Blackcomb is not the place.

The other itinerary is Lake Tahoe, with an emphasis on South Lake Tahoe
than North Lake Tahoe. A couple days at South Lake Tahoe, and then a
couple days stay in San Francisco, before flying out of SF Int'l Airport..

My Wild Card itinerary is Mammoth Mountain then to San Diego, with a
stay at the Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, or a stay at a Condo at Mission
Beach/Mission Bay with a couple fish tacos and Pacifco beers would make a
great note for a good vacation...

So Taos isn't much...
I had no idea Santa Fe had a ski area. From a quick read it doesn't seem that much different than Taos and it would be much more convenient if we were going to Santa Fe.
Any strong feelings about that?

Looking around made me look up Arizona Snowbowl; but I have a separate post on that.

I appreciate the help.

On Thursday, October 3, 2013 5:52:58 PM UTC-6, Toller wrote:

Tahoe has much the same appeal to me as my Las Vegas recommendation. Average show condition isn't as good though.

On Thursday, October 3, 2013 8:34:56 PM UTC-4, pigo wrote:
On Thursday, October 3, 2013 5:52:58 PM UTC-6, Toller wrote:



Tahoe has much the same appeal to me as my Las Vegas recommendation. Average show condition isn't as good though.

I don't really care for LV; I don't gamble, but have climbed at Red Rocks a couple times. However it is warm and 5.5 hours to SLC isn't a bad drive. And I've wanted to see Bryce Canyon. (Saw Zion last trip to LV) Good idea, I will run it by her.

On Thursday, October 3, 2013 7:10:52 PM UTC-6, Toller wrote:

If you don't gamble Moab might be a good idea. It's just so warm in LV or Mesquite. Moab get's warm early too. But you drop a level to St. George = warmer. Then you drop another level to Mesquite = warmer. From Moab 5 hours to SLC. Arches and Canyonlands NP's right there. Deadhorse Point SP is the best view of Canyonlands. Lot's of stuff in the area. Bryce is a few hours away too. There's a ton with a couple of hours.