marzNC
Angel Diva
When there are big snowstorms, often right afterwards only Lift 1 and Lift 8 run first thing the next morning. That happened the other week, as reported by @TNtoTaos in Post #90. Ski patrol needs much more time to do their work on the backside before Lifts 7/7A and Lift 4 can open. Sometimes that's just a delayed opening of an hour or two. Although Taos has an app, the info about lift status isn't updated that frequently.How concerning is the wind for Taos? Do they often have lift holds etc.? Or is some protected enough to keep running etc.?
Lift 2 and Lift 8 can go on wind hold. I was on Lift 8 once when it kept stopping because of wind gusts in the afternoon. There was someone midway up with a radio watching and letting the lifties know if they needed to stop the lift. Needless to say, once I got to the top then it was time to call it a day.
When it's windy on the front side, often it's not as bad on the back side. And vice-versa. Lift 8 can be a nice place to run laps that include Powderhorn bumps (near Whistlestop), White Feather Gully and/or Tell Glade in the afternoon. There is also a short section of bumps instructors use for teaching and practice near the top of Stauffenberg (unload right off Lift 8). Can go from there to Tell Glade or Poco Gusto if heading to Lift 2. Lift 8 never has much of a lift line. Especially if the Kachina Lift is open on the backside.