Taos Ski Valley To Open Kachina Peak This Winter

TAOS SKI VALLEY, N.M., — This 2014-2015 winter season, Taos Ski Valley will open Kachina Peak to lift-accessed skiing and snowboarding as well as several additional new enhancements, including new hike-to terrain.

“Kachina Peak offers some of the most spectacular views and terrain in North America,” said Gordon Briner, CEO of Taos Ski Valley. “The new Kachina Peak lift provides the opportunity for everyone to enjoy this iconic terrain and have one of the most unique experiences in winter recreation. In addition, since Kachina Peak captures snow early in the season and holds it well into spring, we’re excited that the area that holds the most snow on the mountain is now lift-served.”

With a summit of 12,450 feet, the Kachina Peak lift is one of the highest chairlifts in North America and increases the mountain’s lift-serviced terrain by 50 percent, further establishing Taos Ski Valley as a premier ski resort. From the top of Kachina, guests can enjoy the unforgettable vistas of northern New Mexico and southern Colorado, and will have access to a broad range of terrain, from the wide open bowls of Main Street, to the narrow and steep lines of the K Chutes.

Those who enjoy the valley’s legendary hike-to terrain can still earn their turns, as the majority of Highline Ridge and West Basin will remain accessible by foot only. In addition to preserving the existing hike-to terrain,Taos Ski Valley is adding new hike-to terrain this season with the opening of The Wild West Glades. Accessible via the West Basin Ridge, The Wild West Glades will consist of 35 acres of some of the best tree skiing in the country.

New Season Pass, Ski School Perks
Taos Ski Valley’s season pass, has always been one of the best values in skiing, and it just got even better. The popular Millennium Pass (good for 70 days), the unlimited Adult Full Season Pass, and the Family Full Pass, will each include exchange days at Copper Mountain, Durango Mountain Resort, Crested Butte, Arapahoe Basin, Powder Mountain and new this year, Silverton Mountain. Taos Ski Valley will also continue to offer discounted season and day passes to active military, college students, seniors and children.

Taos Ski Valley’s famed Ernie Blake Snowsports School also will be unveiling the new Mountain Guide program, which connects guests with the valley’s top ambassadors who will show them the best spots to ski or ride on a given day, take them to off-the-map runs, and share some of the ski area’s local lore and history.

For those looking to take their skiing or snowboarding up a notch, the Snowsports Week is an incredible value at just $130. Running every Sunday-Friday throughout the season, guests receive personal attention from top instructors for two hours each morning.

Additional new developments
Taos Ski Valley has also upgraded its snowmaking system with two energy-efficient compressors. The upgrades will be part of helping Taos Ski Valley be prepared to open Thanksgiving weekend, as well as provide skiing from the top of the mountain as soon as possible.

Finally, guests will enjoy a new drop-off area that features views of the Sangre de Cristo mountains, and a walkway with stores and services that line the path to the base area and lifts. These improvements are the first stages of the renovation of the base area.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this upcoming snow season,” said Briner. “We are making positive changes while simultaneously preserving what makes Taos Ski Valley so extraordinary. Our commitment to delivering a world-class experience is stronger than ever.”

For more information about the 2014-2015 winter activities at Taos Ski Valley, go to www.skitaos.org.

About Taos Ski Valley
Located in northern New Mexico, Taos is one of North America’s premier ski and snowboard destinations, with more than 305 inches of average annual snowfall and more than 110 trails. Taos has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere, spectacular scenery, and amazing terrain, truly make it a world of its own.

To learn more about Taos Ski Valley or to plan a vacation, please visit www.skitaos.org.

Taos Ski Valley Lowers Season Pass Prices for 2014-2015 Season

Taos Ski Valley is offering its famous Millennium Pass for the 2014-2015 season at a discount over the current season rate – just $575 – if purchased by closing day, April 6, 2014. The pass will also be valid from March 17 through the remainder of this season for those who wish to ski or ride this spring.

“We are committed to keeping Taos Ski Valley one of the most affordable world-class skiing and snowboarding destinations in the world, and our historic decision to discount the Millennium Pass is to show our loyal visitors how much we appreciate and value them,” said Gordon Briner, Taos Ski Valley’s chief operating officer. “With new ownership now in place, our vision is to enhance the overall TSV experience while maintaining our affordable, family-friendly environment.”

For kids ages 7-17, seniors over 65 and active duty military, their respective season passes will be discounted to $315 and valid March 17 through closing day as well. Those interested in unlimited skiing and riding next season can also secure a significant discount over the current price on the Adult Full Pass, if they purchase byApril 6.

In addition to offering visitors over 113 trails on more than 1,200 acres, Taos Ski Valley has announced plans to open a lift to Kachina Peak next season. Kachina Peak is the area’s famed 12,000+-foot peak that is currently only accessible by hiking. The new lift will be among the highest chairlifts in North America and will increase the mountain’s advanced and expert terrain by 50 percent.

“Our passes are an incredible value that’s hard to beat, and the prices demonstrate our commitment to our loyal customers who come from all over New Mexico, the southwest and the world to ski and ride at Taos,” continued Briner. “We hope that everyone is as excited as we are for what Taos will offer during the 2014-2015 season.”

To learn more about Millennium Passes or to purchase a season pass for the 2014-2015 season, please visitwww.skitaos.org or call 866-968-7386.

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.

Sipapu will be the first ski area to open in New Mexico for the 2013-2014 season!

The lifts at Sipapu Ski and Summer Resort in northern New Mexico will begin turning next Saturday, marking the earliest opening in the resort’s more than 60-year history. George Brooks, the executive director of Ski New Mexico, said Red River Ski Area is expected to open Nov. 27, followed by Taos Ski Valley, Ski Santa Fe and Ski Apache on Nov. 28. In early October, a strong storm brought wind, rain and high-elevation snow to New Mexico. Cold temperatures followed a few days later, with more snow for the mountains in the northern and central parts of the state.

Sipapu offers the best lift ticket prices during early season: beginning opening day, November 16, through December 12, 2013, you can take advantage of their early season lift ticket rates:

Adults: $20
Teens (age 13-20): $15
Children (age 7-12): $15
Seniors (age 60-69): $15

Click here to view their December Deal Week rates – all tickets are still on sale in December!

Please check our snow report for days of operation.

Don’t forget: 4th & 5th graders (report card required), guests ages 6 and younger, 40-year-olds, 60-year-olds and seniors 70 and better get FREE lift tickets everyday at Sipapu!

For more information, call 800-587-2240.
nov6top
Snowmaking above Lift #1

nov6top2
View from the ski patrol shack, just above Lift #1

nov6thumper
Thumper

nov6isa
Isa, Sipapu snowmaker and terrain park manager

Ski New Mexico: Apache Star Race Course Opens for the Season!

Apache Star Race Course Opens for the Season!

Date: December 21, 2012

This is a season long opportunity for you to race the gates whether you are a skier or a snowboarder. The race course gates will be up generally on the weekends throughout the season. The course is on the outside line (next to the trees) on Smokey Bear. You can turn this into a season long series for yourself or for you and those with whom you want to compete. Turn yourself into a racer this year at Ski Apache. Your fees entitle you to race the course and to get electronic times for each of your race runs. You will gain the experience of timed performance and how to find the qualities in yourself to improve on your performance. The events are produced by Robert Walker – ex-North American Ski Racer; so you might garner a pointer or two from the experts!

The price per individual is $5.00 for two runs in a day and $1.00 for each additional run on that day. Season race passes are available for $35.00 at the Special Services Window.

Awards ceremony on Plaza at 3:00 – same day 10:00am-2:00pm

Ski Apache: Open for business!

The mountain is now open seven days per week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. All lifts and the gondola will be open by Christmas 2012 along with Ski Apache’s two terrain parks featuring five standard and one rainbow box, three flat rails, one battleship rail, one flat-down-flat rail and one A-frame rail. Lift tickets are $55 for adults, $48 for seniors (60 years and older), $44 for military personnel, $46for teens (13-17 years) and $35 for children under 13.

Group ticket discounts are also available in addition to individual ski and snowboard equipment rentals. Lifts run daily including holidays and instructors are available for lessons, along with Flaik GPS systems making it possible to locate children and guests on the mountain in real time, while also providing a chance to track the day on the mountain, recording information such as lifts used and runs explored. For those who just can’t wait to see the fresh powder in all its glory, Ski Apache offers a live web cam, along with an interactive trail map, up-to-the-minute weather conditions and snow reports, also available via RSS feed and text alerts. For more details on Ski Apache call 575-464-3600. For more information on Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort & Casino or its associated enterprises, visit InnOfTheMountainGods.com or call 888-262-0478. For daily snow reports, call the 24-hour report line at 575-464-1234.

Ski Apache: 2012/13 Season Update

SKI APACHE WILL OPEN ON FRIDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2012 WITH BEGINNER CHAIRLIFTS 3 AND 5 OPERATING!

Ski Apache, the United States’ southernmost ski area known for epic warm-weather skiing and unbelievable views of the surrounding Lincoln National Forest, returns for its 51st year on Sierra Blanca with three new lifts scheduled to open during the 2012 /2013 ski season. The new season boasts a brand new Doppelmayr Gondola. Home to the first and only passenger gondola in the state of New Mexico, the new eight-passenger Gondola will climb 1,646 feet to the mountain’s peak in just eight minutes, almost twice as fast as its predecessor. The 2012-2013 ski season is scheduled to open on Friday, December 7, and season passes are on sale now.

The new gondola will carry nearly 2,000 skiers and snowboarders up the ski resort per hour, and two new Doppelmayr chair lifts, one triple and one quad, will help Ski Apache achieve the highest lift capacity in the state with another 3,600 guests ascending the mountain per hour. Combined with its already immense snowmaking capabilities and an annual snowfall over 180 inches, Ski Apache is prepared to serve up another memorable winter to visitors from throughout the region. “We are happy to invest in something that has proven such a valuable asset not just to the tribe but to the surrounding communities as well, particularly considering the effects on the region from the Little Bear Fire,” said The President of the Mescalero Apache Tribe Frederick Chino Sr.

“During the 2011-2012 season, more than 130,000 people visited Ski Apache, and we look forward to seeing that number continue to climb with the addition of these new lifts. Not only do they expand our capacity for winter visitors but the new Gondola also enhances our summer recreation offerings with mountain biking and hiking. This considerable enhancement allows us to attract visitors to the area throughout the year. The Tribe recognizes the economic impact Ski Apache has on our neighbors and we are happy to make the investment to continue to grow our local economy.”

For more details on the Ski Apache season update, click here!

February Ski Apache Events

It was snowing on the mountain on Saturday and they’re making more today: the entire area at Ski Apache is open and ready for business! This month is filled with challenges and a chance to do some good while having a lot of fun. Check out the event calendar and strap on those skis!

Cross Your Heart Cup

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Help Ski Apache support the fight against breast cancer.

Race starts at 10:00 am to 12:00 pm with parade on Easy Street to follow.

Ladies and Guys welcome to enter, but guys must dress up as “Tootsies” (female apparel)

Entry is $10.00. Come help us support a great cause.

For more information call (575) 464-3641

Terrain Park Competition

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Come try your skills in our terrain park competition located at the bottom of the mountain on the gondola lift line. Entry fee is $10.00. Compete for prizes, medals and bragging rights. Call (575) 464-3641 for more information.

Sisters on the Snow

Friday, February 24, 2012

Women’s Ski Seminar Camaraderie, Control & Confidence
This special two day clinic is designed for women and conducted by women. The Women’s Seminar offers an opportunity to explore the slopes with women instructors who know how to provide a supportive and relaxed learning experience. This clinic is for all levels of skiers, from first time beginners to intermediate and advanced skiers, ages 18 and over.

Seminar includes two days instruction, video analysis and a personal improvement plan. Breakfast and lunch will be provided both days as well as a wine and cheese get together at 4pm the final day. Participants will need to rent or provide their own equipment.

Ski Apache Cup

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Come compete with your friends for a one day event on the Smokey Bear race course.

Teams of 3 race each other:

One Snowboarder
One Female
One of your choice

Entry fee is $15.00 per team. Race for prizes, medals and bragging rights. For more info call (575) 464-3641.

New Mexico Ski Season Off To A Fierce Start!!

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) – From Red River and Taos south to the mountains around Ruidoso, the state’s ski areas are enjoying a stellar start to what many thought would be a questionable season given the dry conditions that have plagued New Mexico for the past year.

Red River’s slopes were dusted Friday with snow as a steady stream of skiers waited their turn for the chairlift.

At Taos Ski Valley, skiers and snowboarders were celebrating the best opening in years this holiday weekend and had the rare option of taking in the backside of the mountain so early in the season. Read more…

Sipapu was the first New Mexico ski resort to open, followed by Ruidoso’s Ski Apache.

AfIeGvnCMAAox7Q.jpg_large — Snow at Ski Apache, November 25, 2011

Want to see more? Click here for snow cams around the state!