Taos ski resort in New Mexico has just officially announced that they will be building a chairlift to access their 12,481-foot Kachina Peak. Up to this point, Kachina has been hike to terrain. There will certainly be mixed feelings from locals. Some will wish Kachina stays the way it is to preserve powder, others will be stoked to be able to lap Kachina’s terrific terrain.
– Will be operational by the 2014/15 winter season.
– Will be a fixed grip triple chair.
– Will rise 1,100 vertical feet in 5 minutes to 12,450 feet.
– Will expand advanced and expert lift-serviced terrain at Taos by 50%.
– With this chair, Taos will offer over 3,000 vertical feet of lift served skiing/riding.
– Will be one of the highest chairlifts in the USA.
Taos is steep…
KACHINA PEAK CHAIRLIFT PRESS RELASE:
TAOS, N.M., Jan. 14, 2014Taos Ski Valley today announced that beginning in 2014 – 2015 ski season, visitors will be able to access the mountain’s celebrated Kachina Peak via a chairlift for the first time. The Kachina Peak Lift will be installed during the summer of 2014 and will summit at 12,450 feet, making it one of the highest chairlifts in North America. The lift will increase the mountain’s advanced and expert lift-service terrain by 50 percent.
The Kachina Peak Lift will serve the iconic Kachina Peak terrain, long recognized as some of the most spectacular in North America, and which has only been accessible via hiking trails. Taos Ski Valley founder Ernie Blake originally envisioned the lift nearly 50 years ago.
“In many ways this lift is a tribute to Ernie and his legacy,” said Mickey Blake, son of Ernie and current President of Taos Ski Valley. Blake recently announced the sale of Taos Ski Valley to conservationist Louis Bacon.
Taos with Kachina in background.
The Kachina Peak Lift will offer access to a variety of terrain, including advanced trails, tree chutes and open bowls. Additionally, skiers and riders will be able to hike from the lift drop-off to the summit of Kachina Peak to enjoy some of the most spectacular scenery in the Rocky Mountains.
Taos Ski Valley has also committed to preserving a majority of the hiking terrain that is currently available.
The triple-seated fixed grip lift will rise 1,100 vertical feet in five minutes to a top elevation of 12,450 feet. The additional elevation will give Taos a lift-served vertical drop of more than 3,000 feet.
“It was Ernie Blake’s vision to establish a ski area that was as spectacular as the resorts he knew in Europe with above tree line, wide open terrain and fantastic views,” said Jean Mayer, owner and operator of the Hotel St. Bernard and Technical Director of the Ernie Blake Ski School.
“The new Kachina Peak Lift will allow snow sports enthusiasts who come from low altitude to enjoy the total beauty of Taos Ski Valley, while also preserving most of the hiking terrain for those of us who enjoy the climb. This lift will be an important development on Ernie’s goal of building a challenging mountain that can be shared with all.”
By installing lift service to Kachina Peak, Taos Ski Valley will also be able to increase ski patrol in the area and perform more snow control efforts, which will likely result in the terrain being open more often. Skytrac, an American company based in Salt Lake City, will manufacture the lift.
“The Kachina Peak Lift will bring us to the forefront of skiing experiences in North America, providing new access to unparalleled terrain that is uniquely Taos,” said Gordon Briner, Taos Ski Valley Chief Operating Officer.
About Taos Ski Valley, Inc. With more than 305 inches of average annual snowfall and more than 110 trails, Taos Ski Valley is New Mexico’s premier skiing and snowboarding destination. Taos Ski Valley boasts a unique, relaxed atmosphere, pristine scenery and unparalleled skiing and snowboarding. To learn more about Taos Ski Valley or to plan a vacation for the 2013-2014 season, please visit www.skitaos.org.
2 thoughts on “12,481′ Kachina Peak Chairlift To Be Built at Taos, NM”
Looking forward to skiing this new lift-accessible terrain! Purists may understandably be upset, but the nature of ski resorts is to construct lifts to allow people to ski down the mountain without hiking (or in this case with less hiking). Kudos to the decision makers on this one.
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Looking forward to skiing this new lift-accessible terrain! Purists may understandably be upset, but the nature of ski resorts is to construct lifts to allow people to ski down the mountain without hiking (or in this case with less hiking). Kudos to the decision makers on this one.