2021.03.26 TAOS
We caught Taos on a high-elevation powder day in late March. Amelia grew to love powder trees. Joel is now intrigued by the idea of New Mexico as a ski destination. A real happy place find.
A Southern Ski Spot
Latitudes of select ski mountains
Taos is arguably the southern-most big mountain ski experience in North America (perhaps world?)
I’m now intrigued by the idea of New Mexico skiing. Will want to check out some of the others
Where we went this time
After this southern Colorado road trip, we’ve skied most of the big-name destinations in Colorado - Green names are those we’ve skied thus far.
There are about 5 more, those shown in yellow, and maybe a few local learning areas that don’t warrant a visit from out of state.
On this road trip, we visited (purple):
Wolf Creek
Telluride
Crested Butte
Monarch
Taos
a look at Taos geology and climate
Taos is near the great divide, at the southern end of the Colorado Rocky Mountain range.
Prevailing climate patterns bring moisture from the Pacific across warm low-lying regions of Mexico, New Mexico, and Texas. Colder air migrating south from the frigid Rockies at 10,000 to 14,000 ft creates a storm front to drop powder in Northern New Mexico and Colorado, with dry dessert snow plentiful at higher elevations (above 10,000 ft)
Taos elevation begins at ~9200 ft and tops out around 12,500 (source TaosSkiValley.com). The back bowl under lifts 4 and 7 is all above 10,000, with mostly northern-facing terrain.
The southern powder dumps provide Taos an average of about 300 in/yr, an average average for the region. Other resorts such as Copper, Keystone, Breckenridge, Monarch, etc. get about the same. The difference is the traffic. New Mexico does not have the name recognition among ski tourists, and Taos can keep their powder for days after the busy resorts are all tracked out.
Like many of its Colorado peers, Taos is right along the great divide, meaning that much of it is a valley nestled among even higher peaks.
At 36.4 degrees Latitude, Taos is almost as far south as Sugar Mountain NC. What it lacks in latitude, it makes up for with elevation and shade from nearby peaks to block the winter and spring sun.
The region offers a nice combination of mildly cold winters in lower-lying regions and big dumps up high.
Because of the low air pressure above 10,000 ft, the powder stays light and fluffy .. southwestern dessert snow.
A lodging suggestion: Best Western Red River
If you’re looking for a big mountain luxury ski experience on a budget, ski Taos and stay at the Red River Best Western.
the Best Western at Red River ski area (we stayed here, but skied Taos. Red River ski area closed previously when the lease was up, despite the nice snow pack
advance the reel below to check hotel and outdoor area…
