Snowboarding has not screwed up Taos Ski Valley. Expert riders love the place/terrain/vibe. If you are not an expert- prepare for the challenge or stay away. Same goes if you are a skier, though skiers have an advantage of the world class coaching available at TSV. It's yet to be determined whether the snowboard instruction will measure up. TSV is small (but skis BIG), STEEP, fast, and inspiring. Night life is weak but the apres ski is classic. Male to female ratio 60/40 (with the most beautiful women this side of Aspen). Other than Christmas week and Texas spring break, there are no crowds- no lines. TSV offers the ultimate ski and RIDE experience.
Anonymous - April 11th, 2008
No one has yet recommended this Resort Review.
Overall
5 of 5
Family Friendly
3 of 5
Downhill Terrain
5 of 5
Terrain Park
2 of 5
Apres Ski
2 of 5
I just returned from Whistler/Blackcomb where they have two mountains. One is designed and laid out for boarding and one for skiing. You could do either at either mountain but each was set up to favor one or the other. Seemed like a great way to accomodate both types and it worked well for our group that included both. Might be something to consider since Taos is divided into two distinct sides already. Just a thought, I'll really miss the ski haven that Taos once was but we'll be back either way.
Anonymous - March 24th, 2008
No one has yet recommended this Resort Review.
Overall
5 of 5
Family Friendly
5 of 5
Downhill Terrain
5 of 5
Terrain Park
1 of 5
Apres Ski
3 of 5
HAHA! Looks like the boarders are winning. I've skied Taos and have always love it but now that I can board there, that makes me excited! As for the guy who wrote about the class element of skiers vs boarders, to each his own, yes I admit there are some D-Bags that make us look bad and rude, but we're really not all that bad. :) Can't we all just get along?! lol
Anonymous - March 7th, 2008
1 of 1 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
5 of 5
Family Friendly
4 of 5
Downhill Terrain
4 of 5
Terrain Park
n/a
Apres Ski
3 of 5
I just returned from my first trip to Taos and I really enjoyed it. In large part that's because I'm a skier and there were no snowboarders. I know boarders take that personally, but (for me at least) it's not a personal thing. As far a rudeness, attitude, lack of class - well, I know a lot of skiers that fit that description, too. But the fact is snowboarding messes up the terrain for skiing. I respect snowboarders and snowboarding - it's an incredibly athletic, demanding sport. But it's just really nice to have at least a few places where the conditions are really great for skiing, and they stay great. Boarders have lots of places to do their thing - I don't see why it's such a drama for skiers to have a few (a precious few) high-quality preserves.
Anonymous - March 6th, 2008
1 of 1 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
4 of 5
Family Friendly
5 of 5
Downhill Terrain
5 of 5
Terrain Park
3 of 5
Apres Ski
2 of 5
Returned from Taos on March 4th - first time trip. What a mountain! They should forgo the trail ratings and just mark all as "Challenging". Even the "green" runs are skinny fire trails that you can bomb down. Having said that, the ski schools are fantastic - both of my kid's had beginner lessons and were able to cruise down Strawberry Hill on Day 2. They have several classes for all abilities - very impressive. Next time I would ski over to the back-side and explore - I did 4wheel over to the Bavarian Lodge (Great place!) and the runs looked a "little" less steep. Stayed at the Taos Inn (great historical hotel in town). Found some great pizza at Outback Pizza, EXCELLENT New Mexican food at Orlando's and affordable dinners at Doc Martin's and Apple Tree Inn. I was born and raised in Colorado and have skied many of the resorts in the west but I will say that Taos cannot be beat in terms of friendliness, terrain and value. It is sort of sad that Taos will allow snowboarders in the next few weeks (no doubt an economic decision) BUT, it might be fun to see a snowboarder (try to) navigate down Al's run from the Martini Bar patio!! Yehawww!
User Photos (click to enlarge)
Anonymous - March 4th, 2008
No one has yet recommended this Resort Review.
Overall
5 of 5
Family Friendly
3 of 5
Downhill Terrain
5 of 5
Terrain Park
n/a
Apres Ski
4 of 5
Just got back from another great trip. Been 6 times now and I live on the East coast. Like others say this is a place to ski, and ski hard- the conditions this year are just amazing. Too bad they close on March 30 because they could ski until the end of April with all the snow. Still a bargain, lift tickets are inexpensive- basic hotels are fairly priced,( yes they have the over the top places, but if you go to ski who needs them) decent to fantastic restaurants and just enough shopping to fill in an hour or two at the end of a long day on the slopes.
Can I just say "Wow"??!!!! If your a local, or anywhere near Toas, NM, then you know what I am talking about! I live 5 hours away, and I can't get enough! We have been there at least 5 times, and let me tell you, the snow has never been better, well, at least not in my lifetime!!!! I am wicked excited when its 2:30 in the afternoon, and I am still gettin fresh tracks!!! The mountain is great; aggressive, extreme, challenging, all that you can ask for and more! How can anyone turn down one of the most challenging runs, Al's Run ROCKS! What about the Ridge, YOU JUST CAN'T BEAT IT!!! TAOS 2008 is my choice for PRESIDENT!!!
We just returned from Taos. They are definitely having a phenomenal snow year -- if you're a better-than-blue-cruiser skier, you'll love it. For the rest of us, it was tougher than usual. Bambi and Shalako are just about my favorite runs anywhere. I'm sad to hear that snowboarders will be allowed but I understand the business decision. It would be nice if they would improve the grooming on the greens and blues -- leave the tough stuff as is for the die hards, but accomodate those of us who ski with them. I still love Taos -- it feels like family!
Anonymous - February 19th, 2008
1 of 1 people found this Resort Review helpful.
Overall
4 of 5
Family Friendly
4 of 5
Downhill Terrain
5 of 5
Terrain Park
1 of 5
Apres Ski
3 of 5
My wife and I spent President's Day weekend in Taos.It had been four years since our last visit.It was perfect.Lots of sun and mild temps.We stayed at the ElMonte Sogrado which is beautiful.A word of advise...bring your wallet.Pretty pricey.Taos is a great place for intermediate and advanced skiiers.I would not recommend it to beginners...too steep.
Food.We ate at Pizza Outback for the first time.It is the best pizza I have EVER eaten.The Stakeout for dinner is very nice.We like Orlandos as well.You are cheating yourself if you don't stop by the Bavarian for a beer and a burger.On the way up from town is a hole in the wall named Abe's.One half is a little grocery;the other half is a bar.Stop and get the rolled tacos or just get some salsa to go.You will love it.Room service at the ElMonte is very good.(did I mention to bring your wallet)
There are only a couple of knocks on Taos.It is exceptionally dirty.Doubly so in restaurant parking lots that are not paved.You track the mud into your car and room.The other is the wide gap between the haves and have nots.I have never seen so many vagrants in one place at one time.It is a little creepy.
That said...Taos has great food, shopping and world class skiing.All of this is 8 hours from home by car.
Taos has fantastic terrain no doubt and when the snow is good its great, but on that note we must consider that New Mexico has not gotten the snow that we remember in the 80’s and early 90’s. Taos gets infrequent storms which leave the slopes bumped out and hard packed most of the time. I love Taos’s steep and challenging terrain and if your lucky enough to be there to ski the storm it is a lot of fun, unfortunately that scenario takes good timing and a bit of luck.
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