Snowboarding (and Snow) give Taos a Lift

Don't really think it should be a surprise...

Denver Post: Addition of snowboarding gives lift to family-owned Taos Ski Valley

TAOS SKI VALLEY —Four years ago this week the Blake family opened the slopes of their then 53-year-old ski area to snowboarders, ending one of the longest standing bans on single-plank riding in the world's resort industry.

The idea was to grow business. Attract families. Stir spending that could fund improvements designed to stem a steady decline in visits.

So far, it's worked.

The 1,268-acre ski area — one of the few family-owned and operated hills in the West — has seen visitation climb. Thanks to both the snowboarders and bountiful snow, Taos' 2011-12 season is tracking toward its busiest in more than a decade, with expectations for 250,000 visits.

While understandable from the ski area's perspective, putting a lift on Kachina Peak will not go over well with a lot of its clientele. But that's what a lot of people said about allowing snowboarders and ultimately it was much ado about nothing.

No debt , solid cash flow , controlled expansion sounds like all smart moves..

So many places to visit , so little time..

Being that I'm not in my 20's anymore or my 30's for that matter Taos putting a lift where it was only hike to sounds like a great idea to me.  I'd like to go there but the hike to thing for the best skiing ruled it out for us.

Jamesdeluxe wrote

While understandable from the ski area's perspective, putting a lift on Kachina Peak will not go over well with a lot of its clientele.

I think maybe it will. That's a major old school mountain, and, well, that means a lot of aging Boomers still spending a week there, as they have for decades, but in no mood to hike. You're allowed to cheat if you made it to 66 and can still ski Taos powder. I mean, you know, personally, Benny's getting on, you know, and he has a hard time acclimating...... but, i'm not 66. Yet.

The only time I ever skied there was three weeks before the lifting of the snowboard ban, so I saw the last of whatever. I really really want to go back and spend a week at the St. Bernard.

Coach Z wrote

Being that I'm not in my 20's anymore or my 30's for that matter Taos putting a lift where it was only hike to sounds like a great idea to me.  I'd like to go there but the hike to thing for the best skiing ruled it out for us.

I've skied Taos twice, the year before, and the year after the ban was lifted. The experience was no different to me with, or without, boarders.  I contemplated hiking Kachina, I intercepted someone finishing their run, and asked them how long it took them to hike it. They told me an hour and forty five minutes. When I asked them if it was worth it, they just said, "That was some F'n awesome snow". So, I guess they really didn't answer my question. I do regret not doing it, but that is a large chunk of your paid for day spent hiking.

Somewhere there's got to be a formula:

Snow Quality as a function of Moisture Content, Age, Accessibity or Traffic. (What else?)

Let's face it, all things equal the harder snow is to access the better it is.  I like a mountain with different levels of ease of access.  The uphill climb for the Slides, Burnt Ridge at Gore, The Dip at Jay, any sidecounty, backcountry.  

Variety is good. IMO everything should not be served by a HSQ.

Good to see that Taos is doing well. It's a fantastic mountain, and I'd love to get back there. Top-notch steeps and bumps, great vibe, plus the town is really distinct with some excellent food.

I can see why they would want to add a lift up Kachina. It is the only open bowl on the mountain, plus I hear the lines aren't as difficult as the West Basin or parts of the Highline. The addition of a lift up there would help them remain competitive, and possibly attract new visitors. Sure it would get tracked out quickly, but there are lots of tough to get to spots along the ridge that would remain. I would think the West Basin lift would be more contentious since more of the gnarly shots are over there.


Looking up to Kachina Peak during last year's low snow year

Harvey44 wrote

Variety is good. IMO everything should not be served by a HSQ.

I think that this calls out for a nice slow fixed grip double or triple chair.  It probably gets pretty windy that high up so it would run more often.  The business model of the family that owns Taos is no debt.  They could greatly add to their appeal by buying a used old triple and installing it up to that awesome terrain.