Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
Change has come to Taos Ski Valley. In 2013, hedge-fund billionaire Louis Bacon bought the family-run ski area from the descendants of founder Ernie Blake, with a plan to invest substantial resources into modernizing Taos. A chairlift up the iconic, hikers-only Kachina Peak arrived the next year, followed by a redesigned base area and the opening of The Blake, a new luxury hotel at the resort’s base. Those upgrades were much needed, and so far, visitors are impressed, rewarding the ski area with high marks in Overall Satisfaction, Charm, Value, and Local Flavor.
Indeed, the new ownership seems determined to maintain the resort’s unique Old-World-meets-New-Mexico vibe while it puts new sheen on some old veneers. The small resort also goes big in the Challenge department, boasting 74 black or double-black runs (not counting all the sweet lines in between), which include a phenomenal diversity of patrolled, hikers-only tree- and chute-skiing. Taos is one of those rare, special spots where phenomenal skiing intersects brilliantly with the sport’s European heritage, and injected, this year, with the buzz of American entrepreneurship.
No. 23 in the West: Taos Ski Valley, N.M.
Taos Ski Valley Mountain Stats
| Average Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
| 300″ | 1,294 | 14 | 110 |
Taos Ski Valley Pass Info
Taos is on the Ikon Pass. Full pass holders get 7 days at the resort; Base Pass holders get 5 days. Taos is also on the Mountain Collective; pass holders get 2 days at the resort plus 50 percent off additional lift tickets.
Trip Planning
What’s New
Taos is now a certified CarbonNeutral ski resort, exceeding even its own B Corp status. This puts the resort ahead of its 2030 timeline to have a net footprint of zero carbon emissions, otherwise known as net zero.
The resort is also enhancing its family friendly products, now offering childcare for ages 0-3 and ski lessons for kids 3-6 years old. There’s also a new magic carpet replacing two aging carpets on the bunny slope.
On the steeper parts of the mountain, look for new and better lines in the Wild West trees thanks to glading over the summer.
Returning this year, Taos’ Ski Weeks serve up the Euro-style week-long ski programs that the resort became known for in the 1950s. They’ll run throughout the season from Sundays through Fridays. Also on the instruction front Olympic Gold medalist Deb Armstrong will host three-day Ski Strong sessions designed to help all levels of skiers escalate their skills.
Bragging Rights
There’s so much of it. Taos is known for its uninterrupted fall-line skiing. May we suggest: the tight trees on North American; Pierre’s, a super-narrow chute; and Stauffenberg, a hike-to area in West Ridge Basin, for scare-yourself steeps.
On-Mountain Eats
The beloved Bavarian Lodge sports a large deck on which to snack on ripped-from-Bavaria bratwurst and huge mugs of German beer.
Off-the-Map Trail
The Wild West Glades are a bit of a trek to get to off West Basin Ridge, but, thanks to recent trail work, totally worth it.
Must Do
Ski the infamous moguls of Al’s Run, top to bottom, without stopping. Extra points if you maintain a mostly straight zipper line. Then do it again until you can’t walk. Crawl into Tim’s Stray Dog Cantina for the best margarita you’ll ever have accompanied by some delicious chips and guac.
Down-Day Activity
Check out the Taos Pueblo (a UNESCO World Heritage site), and the 200-year-old San Francisco de Asís church. Want a good view of the dramatic landscape framed by the rugged Sangre de Christo Mountains? Drive out to the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, the fifth-highest bridge in America.