Taos, NM Trip Report: It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This

Taos 9 — Looking down Reforma on Saturday morning. Photo Credit: Author

Report from Saturday, March 23rd, 2019

This past weekend I returned to New Mexico and visited Taos Ski Valley. Saturday morning saw 5 inches of fresh snow on the upper part of the mountain. The runs off Lift 2 (Castor, Reforma, and Blitz) offered great skiing throughout the day. Even though it was a powder day the mountain never became crowded. It seemed that much of what little crowd there was dispersed along Highline & West Basin Ridges.

Taos 10 — The top of Blitz. Photo Credit: Author

My friend Elliott joined me Sunday. A warm-up run down Castor would prove to be the hardest run of the day. Shaded from late afternoon and early morning sun the snow had hardened up. In conjunction with tight trees (at the top of the run) and deep troughs between moguls, it made for some interesting skiing. After Castor, we headed for Kachina. Conditions on Kachina Peak were soft and chalky and made for some great skiing.

Taos 1 — Elliott emerging from the trees at the top of Castor: Photo Credit: Author

While sunny, this morning was colder than the previous two mornings. I spent much of the morning ripping up groomers around the mountain while waiting for the sun to warm things up. Once I was warm and the sun had done its work I ventured to the steeps once again. I hit Bob’s run under Lift 7A before venturing up Kachina one final time. Despite the sun and warming temperatures, Kachina had remained soft and chalky.

All in all, the three days I spent at Taos was some of the best skiing I have had in the past few seasons. The coverage was great, the snow was great, the terrain was great, the weather was great, and the people were great. I can’t wait to go back.