Taos 2024-25, Conditions, News, Comments about TSV

[TNtoTaos]

OK, Divas, here goes with this season's thread on all things TSV. Hopefully it will be a central place to look for and post any info about Taos Ski Valley.

My plans are to be in Taos for a few days in mid-December, after spending a week at Wolf Creek Ski Area (a great place for early snow), and then again from
Feb 1-March 14, so I'm hoping to see many Divas at TSV this season. Sadly, I won't be coming to Diva West in Alta, mainly because it's too close to my trip to TSV, and I didn't want to have to pull it all together so quickly for a long road trip. But I do plan to be in Alta in April again, so not missing out completely.


For trip specifics in the past most Divas have used the MOTH (Meet on the Hill) forum, but it seems lately that several have started posting about specific posts in the main areas; to each, her own, but be aware that only the Divas Only, Dahling! forum is available to Certified Ski Divas only -- all other forums are public.

So Taos is showing a dusting of snow on the snow stake; OpenSnow reports that it has received 14" of snowfall so far this season.



For threads about past seasons, here are the links:
Taos 2021-22, conditions and more.
Taos 2022-23, conditions and latest upgrades at TSV
Taos 2023-24, conditions and latest upgrades at TSV

 

[TNtoTaos]

TSV Winter 25 Season Passes On Sale​

More Perks. More Passes
Buy your Winter 25 Season Pass during our fall sale to get lower pricing.
Plus, you can still take advantage of your complimentary Summer 24 pass that comes with your Winter 25 pass for a few more weeks!

 

[marzNC]

For 2024-25 the full lift ticket price for an adult 18-64 is $195. Buying in advance online the price can be as low as $115. As I remember, needs to be at least two days before and better if more than a week before. Multi-day tickets include at least one "skip day" and the 5 or 6 day multi-day include 2 ski days.

Taos is on any Ikon pass this season. No Ikon reservations are required.

For the Mountain Collective, the MCP card is not direct-to-lift.

From MCP website:
"On or before your first day of skiing or riding at Taos, you must visit the main Lake Fork ticket office at this resort to activate your Mountain Collective pass. Please be prepared to present your Mountain Collective confirmation email and ID to an agent. To purchase additional days at 50%-off the walk-up ticket rate, you may buy on-site at the Ticket Office or call 844.264.8794 after receiving your initial lift ticket(s)."

 

[marzNC]

Feb 1-March 14, so I'm hoping to see many Divas at TSV this season. Sadly, I won't be coming to Diva West in Alta, mainly because it's too close to my trip to TSV, and I didn't want to have to pull it all together so quickly for a long road trip. But I do plan to be in Alta in April again, so not missing out completely.

Looking forward to skiing with you at Taos. I'll be around for a couple weeks the first half of February. You were skiing far more terrain at TSV last season than the last time we were there together.

 

[santacruz skier]

@TNtoTaos what was that run we skied down together ? You're probably zooming down now ! I don't have February ski plans yet as want to be flexible ....... so you never know where I may show up.

 

[TNtoTaos]

@TNtoTaos what was that run we skied down together ? You're probably zooming down now ! I don't have February ski plans yet as want to be flexible ....... so you never know where I may show up.

LOL -- It was Chicken Blitz! Not quite zooming, but did it with Stephanie last season. I'm getting there...

 

[TNtoTaos]

GOOD NEWS from OpenSnow!​

New Mexico Daily Snow​

Halloween snow, storm possible Nov. 4-5
By Forecaster Julien Ross
Thursday October 31, 2024 10:26am MDT

View This Post on OpenSnow

Happy Halloween to everyone!
A storm passing to our north overnight Wednesday brought several inches of natural snow to the highest elevations at Taos Ski Valley. Combined with the 13" that fell on October 19-20, the high elevations at Taos Ski Valley are primed nicely heading into November.

Keep dancing, everyone!

 

[marzNC]

Will take a few more years, but sounds like eventually there will be a gondola between the two bases at Taos. For skiers, that would mean having an alternate way to get to the other side when Lift 2 is on wind hold. Also would allow intermediates who are tired could ride back to the main base without having to do the long cat track, Rubezahl, that gets flat in the middle.

October 31, 2024

Forest Service Approves Taos Base-to-Base Gondola, Lift Improvements

More than three years after it was first proposed, Taos’ Base-to-Base gondola is closer to reality. In a draft decision published today, the Forest Service proposed approving both the gondola…

liftblog.com

" . . .
The gondola’s purpose is multifold. First, it would provide much-needed alternative to Lift 1, the only non-beginner lift out of the Resort Center. When Lift 1 goes down, the only other way for skiers to access the mountain is via road to Kachina Basin. The detachable gondola would also improve skier access to backside lifts 4 and 7. In summer, the gondola would link the village and Taos Ski Valley’s summer summer activity hub with bike park, via ferrata and hiking trails. The gondola would become the longest lift at Taos with eight seat cabins transiting 7,300 linear feet. While the base-to-base would not directly service much skiing, it would rise 800 vertical feet and provide access to a green trail running between Kachina Basin and the village. A small cabin maintenance facility is planned adjacent to the Kachina terminal.
. . ."

 

[TNtoTaos]

Finally! Looks like it's going to run right over Rubezahl -- that will be interesting. I'm wondering about the requirement of a ticket to ride -- I'm assuming that means a lift ticket. I can't imagine them trying to charge skiers to ride! It really will change the traffic flow -- being able to go directly to Lift 4 without having to wait in line for List 2 will be great!

 

[marzNC]

Finally! Looks like it's going to run right over Rubezahl -- that will be interesting. I'm wondering about the requirement of a ticket to ride -- I'm assuming that means a lift ticket. I can't imagine them trying to charge skiers to ride! It really will change the traffic flow -- being able to go directly to Lift 4 without having to wait in line for List 2 will be great!

A lot more has to fall into place before a date for construction can be announced.

I would guess that requiring a ticket means that someone without skis or a snowboard won't be able ride that gondola for free just to go over to have lunch at the Bavarian. In contrast to the gondolita (pulse gondola) that connects the main base with ski school, which doesn't require a ticket or gear.

The Whiteface gondola is an example where people can ride up just for the view by buying a ticket even though they aren't into snowsports.

Can also buy a ride ticket for the Snowbird tram just for the experience and the views.

 

[santacruz skier]

Same with Heavenly

 

[marzNC]

The former owner and co-creator of the Edelweiss Chalet, Ilse-Mayer, died this spring. She retained ownership of the Edelweiss after the divorce from Dadou Mayer in 1988. She sold out in 2020.

Edelweiss Chalet has hotel rooms, private and rental condos, and the Blonde Bear Tavern.

May 2024

Ilse Mayer Obituary 2024 - DeVargas Funeral Home of Taos

View Ilse Mayer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

www.devargastaos.com

 

[marzNC]

Oh my! Even the towns of Taos and Santa Fe may be getting up to a foot of snow from the storm this week.

OpenSnow New Mexico Daily Snow, November 6, 2024:

 

[cosmicplanks]

Still coming down! Can’t wait for opening day.

 

[marzNC]

Still coming down! Can’t wait for opening day.

Looking forward to a pics once TSV opens. Never seen a foot of new snow in town.

 

[TNtoTaos]

Open Snow Summary​

Wednesday brought double digits to all mountains, and the storm is just getting started. We are well on track for 2-3+ feet in the northern mountains and up to 2 feet in the central and southern mountains through Friday. A dry pattern will follow this storm starting November 10th. But there are chances for additional storms in mid to late November.

Short Term Forecast​

If we think of Storm #2 as a three-act structure, the first act finished overnight Wednesday with double digits at all mountains, and we are jumping right into the second act on Thursday morning with ongoing heavy snowfall. The third and final act will be Friday.

By the time the curtains close, we will likely have a historic November storm with 2-3+ feet of snow in the northern mountains and record snowfall on the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristos.

Here are the first act totals on Thursday morning as of 7:30am:

• 13” Taos Ski Valley (TSV website report)

The Taos Poco Stake is partially buried on Thursday morning.

 

[TNtoTaos]

The BOOTDOCTORS shop is back!!!

After I posted this regarding the demise of BootDoctors at TSV, I decided to touch base with the TSV Chamber of Commerce, figuring they would know, if anyone did, what was going on. I got a response from Daniel Vaughn, the Exec Director, on Oct 7, who mentioned this in his response to me:

"I do know there is a new ownership group that is taking over the business and plans on opening 'outfitters' in those TSV locations. What those businesses will look like, i do not know. Communication has been thin to this point. In terms of bringing in a master boot fitter - i have heard nothing. I do know that Ian from Bootdoctor's is being retained by the new ownership group - and he is pretty good and been fitting boots for years." (emphasis mine)

So I decided to check in again yesterday, and, lo and behold!, here's what he said:

"As luck would have it - i stopped in the 'new' Bootdoctors & Cottam's shops today, and they are stocking the shelves with new gear and rental equipment. In terms of bootfitting - i think your best bet in TSV is going to be Ian at Bootdoctors... he's the best up there right now, unless Charlie [Bradley] returns!"

So I, for one, am very excited about this news -- I am seriously considering new boots this season (interested in trying some BOA boots), and was hoping not to have to go to Bluebird Mountain Sports in Santa Fe to see Charley Bradley (one of the original BootDoctors).

 

[TNtoTaos]

Also found this:

 

[cosmicplanks]

Also found this:

View attachment 23849

This was a good summer sale! I picked up two pairs of Hestra gloves for 60% off.

 

[marzNC]

The BOOTDOCTORS shop is back!!!

After I posted this regarding the demise of BootDoctors at TSV, I decided to touch base with the TSV Chamber of Commerce, figuring they would know, if anyone did, what was going on. I got a response from Daniel Vaughn, the Exec Director, on Oct 7, who mentioned this in his response to me:

So I decided to check in again yesterday, and, lo and behold!, here's what he said:

So I, for one, am very excited about this news -- I am seriously considering new boots this season (interested in trying some BOA boots), and was hoping not to have to go to Bluebird Mountain Sports in Santa Fe to see Charley Bradley (one of the original BootDoctors).

Yippee! Ian got my Intuition liners re-molded correctly a few years ago.