Susan L
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Unfortunately that snow dump only lasted 2 days. We are now in late spring skiing conditions…
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Taos 2024-25, Conditions, News, Comments about TSV
- Thread starter TNtoTaos
- Start date
TNtoTaos
Angel Diva
Yep, still up here. Hoping for a small refresher Feb 11-14...
marzNC
Angel Diva
It's been a groomer week but that's about to change tonight at TSV. Tue, Feb. 12, was a disappointment for some people because Lift 1 was only open from 9:00-9:45. Could drive over to Lift 4 but few people bothered.
People doing a Ski Week Feb. 16-21 are going to have winter conditions. Seems as if there shouldn't be issues with wind holds.
From OpenSnow at Thu evening, Feb. 13:
People doing a Ski Week Feb. 16-21 are going to have winter conditions. Seems as if there shouldn't be issues with wind holds.
From OpenSnow at Thu evening, Feb. 13:
marzNC
Angel Diva
Employee housing for TSV is a side issue for people traveling to NM to ski. Although one way that the resort chose to provide more employee housing had an impact on travelers because the three lodges a couple miles of TSV were bought for that purpose. When my friends and I first started doing trips to TSV, we stayed at the Columbine Inn or the Austing Haus instead of paying a higher price to stay slopeside at Alpine Village Suites.
May 2024
"Taos Ski Valley announced that it continues to grow its commitment to workforce housing and below-market local housing. In 2018 the resort had three housing units for approximately 20 staff members. This year the resort will expand its workforce housing from a current capacity of 150 staff members to close to 200 staff members by Fall 2024. Additionally, Taos Ski Valley is now directing a $2 per room, per night community impact contribution to hotel stays at the resort’s slopeside property The Blake to the Taos Housing Partnership to support its efforts to address below-market housing solutions in Taos. Funds totaled more than $13,000 for the Winter 24 season. Taos Ski Valley is matching the amount contributed by its guests for a total donation of just over $26,000 to Taos Housing Partnership this spring.
. . .
In recent years, Taos Ski Valley has prioritized providing housing options for its seasonal and year-round employees, recognizing the crucial role housing stability plays in employee satisfaction and community vitality. This commitment has led to significant investments in housing infrastructure: beginning with the acquisition of the Columbine Inn in 2018, Taos Ski Valley expanded its housing offerings with the purchase of the Austing Haus in 2019, and the Amizette Inn in 2020. The latter is being expanded this year to accommodate 16 additional employees this fall and another 20 in 2025. The properties range from dormitory-style housing to individual rooms and apartment-style accommodations. Each unit has been thoughtfully designed to meet the specific needs of staff, ensuring comfortable and secure living arrangements.
. . ."
May 2024
"Taos Ski Valley announced that it continues to grow its commitment to workforce housing and below-market local housing. In 2018 the resort had three housing units for approximately 20 staff members. This year the resort will expand its workforce housing from a current capacity of 150 staff members to close to 200 staff members by Fall 2024. Additionally, Taos Ski Valley is now directing a $2 per room, per night community impact contribution to hotel stays at the resort’s slopeside property The Blake to the Taos Housing Partnership to support its efforts to address below-market housing solutions in Taos. Funds totaled more than $13,000 for the Winter 24 season. Taos Ski Valley is matching the amount contributed by its guests for a total donation of just over $26,000 to Taos Housing Partnership this spring.
. . .
In recent years, Taos Ski Valley has prioritized providing housing options for its seasonal and year-round employees, recognizing the crucial role housing stability plays in employee satisfaction and community vitality. This commitment has led to significant investments in housing infrastructure: beginning with the acquisition of the Columbine Inn in 2018, Taos Ski Valley expanded its housing offerings with the purchase of the Austing Haus in 2019, and the Amizette Inn in 2020. The latter is being expanded this year to accommodate 16 additional employees this fall and another 20 in 2025. The properties range from dormitory-style housing to individual rooms and apartment-style accommodations. Each unit has been thoughtfully designed to meet the specific needs of staff, ensuring comfortable and secure living arrangements.
. . ."
cosmicplanks
Angel Diva
Most people here support these measures and agree that the community desperately needs more affordable housing. Of course, it’s not an issue that is exclusive to Taos. Airbnbs have finally seen some regulation outside of the Town of Taos, but there is still plenty of options for travelers.
marzNC
Angel Diva
I bet all the small businesses in town will be very happy when the road construction finally ends. I figured out the shortest way to get to Wyndham Taos, but still couldn't always remember to make the first turn if driving back after dark.
How long has the main road through the center of town been 1-way?
How long has the main road through the center of town been 1-way?
marzNC
Angel Diva
In general, signage is better at TSV than when I was there two years ago. The big signs with trail status of black/double-black terrain on the mountain were refreshed. The clapboard signs are more solid and have bigger lettering. At the same time, when lifts were on hold, the trusty whiteboard was brought out.
Sign at Lift 7 when Lifts 1, 2, 8 on wind hold
Signs at Lift 7A
Windhold updates on whiteboard for Lift 1
Signs near ticket office, note ticket machines on the left outside the office for day tickets (not RFID)
Sign at Lift 7 when Lifts 1, 2, 8 on wind hold
Signs at Lift 7A
Windhold updates on whiteboard for Lift 1
Signs near ticket office, note ticket machines on the left outside the office for day tickets (not RFID)
marzNC
Angel Diva
@TNtoTaos pointed out the relatively new Wolly Mammoth's Way. With low snow, that area wasn't open so we couldn't go exploring. When it's open, apparently there are signs in the glade for kids (or anyone) to check with notes about an animal. The entrance is near the base of Lift 2, below Whistlestop.
TNtoTaos
Angel Diva
They've made a lot of progress this wk. I saw them pouring the cement in the La Cueva lot today, and it looks like all of the sidewalks and curbs are done. Only needs the actual road pavement done now.
TNtoTaos
Angel Diva
It's Willy Mammoth , and several trees have pull-down shade-type signs that have info about a dinosaur discovered in NM. The idea is to find them all, which requires skiing varied terrain and bumps thru the glade. It's quite a fun feature as an intro to glade skiing - when there's enough snow.
marzNC
Angel Diva
For future reference, in addition to @TNtoTaos and her ski buddy staying in town for all of February, there were Divas doing Ski Weeks all month. Several just finished Women's Ski Week, which is usually the last week of February. Others did either a regular Ski Week based on a ski-off on Sunday, or set up a Private Ski Week with a favorite instructor together with a few friends.
Informal meetups at lunch, and sometimes for a dinner or two in a given week, were coordinated in Meet On The Hill (MOTH) threads (only visible to active posters in the Divas Only section). Always fun to meet a new Diva in person.
Most Divas who stayed slopeside (TSV about 9300 ft) were at the Alpine Village Suites. There were also Divas at Snakedance (ski club trip) or Edelweiss. Staying in town is a less expensive option (7000 ft) when renting a car after flying into Albuquerque or Sante Fe. ABQ is about a 3-hour drive from TSV, mostly not mountain driving. Sleeping somewhere in town can be better for people more sensitive to high altitude. The drive up to the main base takes about 30 minutes and isn't that bad. AWD is a good idea but not absolutely necessary.
Informal meetups at lunch, and sometimes for a dinner or two in a given week, were coordinated in Meet On The Hill (MOTH) threads (only visible to active posters in the Divas Only section). Always fun to meet a new Diva in person.
Most Divas who stayed slopeside (TSV about 9300 ft) were at the Alpine Village Suites. There were also Divas at Snakedance (ski club trip) or Edelweiss. Staying in town is a less expensive option (7000 ft) when renting a car after flying into Albuquerque or Sante Fe. ABQ is about a 3-hour drive from TSV, mostly not mountain driving. Sleeping somewhere in town can be better for people more sensitive to high altitude. The drive up to the main base takes about 30 minutes and isn't that bad. AWD is a good idea but not absolutely necessary.
marzNC
Angel Diva
What we learned about the free bus between Taos and TSV is that it does not run every day. In February it was running Wed-Sun. A friend from Albuquerque, C-ABQ, who stayed at El Pueblo for a few nights and got a ride up in the mornings decided to only ski the morning he was going to drive back home. He checked out the 1:10 bus to town before he was going to need it. Learned from a couple of employees waiting for the bus that there is a bus for employees that leaves TSV at 1:45. Sounded like a guest who misses the 1:10 public bus might be able to talk their way onto the employee bus.Bus Service to Taos Ski Valley: Well, it seems the bus is running again this season, for those without a rental car who are staying in the town of Taos.
Click the link above for more info and a route timetable. There are also several park and ride parking locations noted.
Taos County:
The Blue Bus will start service from the town of Taos to Taos Ski Valley during the winter ski season. Winter service for the 2024-2025 season begins Saturday, Dec. 20, 2024. Call us to confirm service.
Routes:
The 341 TSV Green route (provided by "The Blue Bus" -- I know, confusing) operates seasonal winter service, typically running from December to March. The 341 TSV Green route provides fare-free service Thursday through Sunday.through the Town of Taos, El Prado, Arroyo Seco, Valdez to the Village of Taos Ski Valley.
The bus schedule has a few buses in the morning, the 1:10, and then two late afternoon times leaving TSV at 4:10 and 4:40.
Better than no bus service but nothing like the free buses for Colorado resorts such as Aspen/Snowmass, Steamboat, Crested Butte or along I-70.
marzNC
Angel Diva
Happy to report that all the ski shops at TSV were in full operation for 2024-25. A deal was struck for the shops that were closed by Christie's in April 2024. The new branding is Big Kahuna, with Boot Doctors, Cotton's, and Alpine Extreme continuing in the same locations as before at TSV. For Boot Doctors at TSV, Ian is the manager. Robbie, Bunny, and other staff members remain the same as well.
Le Ski Mastery and Taos Sports (resort ski shop and rentals) remain as well.
Fair to say that most, if not all, of the Stöckli skis seen on racks at TSV were probably bought at Le Ski Mastery.
8:30am on a Sunday morning, early February 2025
Le Ski Mastery and Taos Sports (resort ski shop and rentals) remain as well.
Fair to say that most, if not all, of the Stöckli skis seen on racks at TSV were probably bought at Le Ski Mastery.
8:30am on a Sunday morning, early February 2025
marzNC
Angel Diva
Plans for improving lifts at TSV reached a milestone with the approval of the Master Plan by the U.S. Forest Service. Includes the new gondola between the two bases, plus upgrades to Lift 2 and Lift 8. Per usual, there are many more steps before construction will begin.
March 27, 2025
www.taosnews.com
March 27, 2025
Carson National Forest approves TSV Inc. gondola, Master Plan projects
Regarding the gondola, some village residents and other members of the public who recreate in the ski valley had expressed concern the new transport system would primarily serve real estate
TNtoTaos
Angel Diva
Finally! Although it was interesting to note the concerns of the two commenters regarding possible loss of public access to the Wheeler Peak trails and the upper road. Will be interesting to see how that plays out, although I can't imagine the USFS would sign off on that sort of limited public access.Plans for improving lifts at TSV reached a milestone with the approval of the Master Plan by the U.S. Forest Service. Includes the new gondola between the two bases, plus upgrades to Lift 2 and Lift 8. Per usual, there are many more steps before construction will begin.
March 27, 2025
Carson National Forest approves TSV Inc. gondola, Master Plan projects
Regarding the gondola, some village residents and other members of the public who recreate in the ski valley had expressed concern the new transport system would primarily serve real estate
marzNC
Angel Diva
I'm not likely to pay attention to details as the planning process progresses. All of the major projects at TSV since the Blake family sold the resort have taken longer than might have been expected based on early timelines. Although not really that different from other major projects at destination resorts where terrain is mainly on U.S. Forest Service land but there is also private land involved with key structures.
marzNC
Angel Diva
If I didn't know the dates below are for TSV in early April, would be a nice forecast for early March instead. Or even early February when it ended up much warmer than later next week. The storm that gets going on April 4 could drop a foot of snow before moving out. Closing weekend is April 5-6.
From OpenSnow for Taos Ski Valley on March 30, 2025
From OpenSnow for Taos Ski Valley on March 30, 2025
TNtoTaos
Angel Diva
Yep, it looks like Mother Nature is going to give TSV a big sendoff, and it might push them well over 100" for this season, albeit belatedly.
Susan L
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
It was amazing what 2” of snow on Saturday has done to TSV. It was surprisingly ok all weekend long. TSV also did a great job harvesting snow from one place to another to keep the season going. Ski Santa Fe closed today, a week early.
There was, unfortunately, a fatal accident on Wednesday at TSV.
There was, unfortunately, a fatal accident on Wednesday at TSV.
