I agree -- I've been a loyal SW flyer since the 1990's (? maybe), and now they've become just another one of the corporate pack. I'll fly on whatever airline gives me the best deal.
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Travel Tips, News, and Conditions for Taos Ski Valley (TSV) 2025-26
- Thread starter marzNC
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I booked on United....
Back in 2022, I wrote about why I thought TSV was unique as a destination resort. Here's a slightly updated version for the 2025-26 season.
Taos seems unique as a destination resort in the Rockies or Tahoe. There were many reasons Ernie Blake thought it was possible to create a resort in those mountains in the 1950s, even though getting there wasn't easy compared to the big resorts in Utah or Colorado. I use the term "Rockies" loosely to mean all the big mountains from New Mexico to Montana and on into the Canadian Rockies.
These are unique features at TSV that come to mind:
1). Ski Week lesson program every week of the season, 6 mornings with the same instructor, usually 7 students max and often 3-5 students, under $550 (including tip)
2). Plenty of bump terrain at all levels
3). More days with sunshine than fog or snow, not frigid that often Jan-Feb
4). A range of tree terrain for adventurous intermediates through experts
The fact that Taos doesn't get big snowstorms that often and has people who like to ski bumps of every level is one reason there are many ski days with plenty of bumps. My #1 favorite mountain is Alta. In contrast, Alta gets snow more consistently and therefore huge bumps rarely form. It's pretty hard for Alta instructors to find green/blue bumps for intermediates to learn technique and gain confidence. @snoWYmonkey said the same about Jackson Hole during my first semi-private lesson with her a decade ago when the goal was to improve bump skiing.
Intermediates who do lessons can get more comfortable on groomers with chopped up or pushed around snow even if skiing bumps is not of interest. A Ski Week provides 6 morning lessons. There is also a 3-lesson package worth considering.
Even someone who doesn't do a Ski Week and only skis 3-4 days at Taos is likely to be able to add something to their bump technique. Or at least their experience dealing with getting down a bump run with no way to bail one way or another if they the adventurous type.
For an overview of Ski Weeks based on experiences of Ski Divas in the last decade:
https://www.theskidiva.com/taos-ski-week-complete-guide/
Taos seems unique as a destination resort in the Rockies or Tahoe. There were many reasons Ernie Blake thought it was possible to create a resort in those mountains in the 1950s, even though getting there wasn't easy compared to the big resorts in Utah or Colorado. I use the term "Rockies" loosely to mean all the big mountains from New Mexico to Montana and on into the Canadian Rockies.
These are unique features at TSV that come to mind:
1). Ski Week lesson program every week of the season, 6 mornings with the same instructor, usually 7 students max and often 3-5 students, under $550 (including tip)
2). Plenty of bump terrain at all levels
3). More days with sunshine than fog or snow, not frigid that often Jan-Feb
4). A range of tree terrain for adventurous intermediates through experts
The fact that Taos doesn't get big snowstorms that often and has people who like to ski bumps of every level is one reason there are many ski days with plenty of bumps. My #1 favorite mountain is Alta. In contrast, Alta gets snow more consistently and therefore huge bumps rarely form. It's pretty hard for Alta instructors to find green/blue bumps for intermediates to learn technique and gain confidence. @snoWYmonkey said the same about Jackson Hole during my first semi-private lesson with her a decade ago when the goal was to improve bump skiing.
Intermediates who do lessons can get more comfortable on groomers with chopped up or pushed around snow even if skiing bumps is not of interest. A Ski Week provides 6 morning lessons. There is also a 3-lesson package worth considering.
Even someone who doesn't do a Ski Week and only skis 3-4 days at Taos is likely to be able to add something to their bump technique. Or at least their experience dealing with getting down a bump run with no way to bail one way or another if they the adventurous type.
For an overview of Ski Weeks based on experiences of Ski Divas in the last decade:
https://www.theskidiva.com/taos-ski-week-complete-guide/
Given the slow start for snowstorms in the Rockies, it's not a surprise that car rental rates for ABQ have started to come down in the last month. My trip is two weeks for 2026 so I booked an AWD RAV4 using Turo to get exactly the car I wanted. My trip will include driving from Taos to Wolf Creek, where snow on the mountain roads is more likely in February.
I also have a backup reservation with Costco Travel for that trip flying into ABQ. The price quote for those two weeks has dropped about 10%, $50 since late October for an Intermediate SUV and $75 for an AWD Intermediate SUV. Could go much lower by early February if there aren't major snowstorms before then.
I also have a backup reservation with Costco Travel for that trip flying into ABQ. The price quote for those two weeks has dropped about 10%, $50 since late October for an Intermediate SUV and $75 for an AWD Intermediate SUV. Could go much lower by early February if there aren't major snowstorms before then.
As for slopeside loading at "Diva Central", Alpine Village Suites, the type of rooms still available in February is limited. Nothing is left for the last week, which includes a Women's Ski Week. There are some rooms earlier in February, including the week that includes Pres. Day weekend. I would expect the room availability situation for other slopeside lodging to be similar.
Divas who know what week they want to be at Taos early on often make a slopeside lodging reservation before June for an upcoming season. If that seems unthinkable, note that returning guests for lodges at Alta do "advanced reservations" for the next year when they check out. A factor that Taos and Alta have in common is very little land for development of guest lodging.
Note that the most expensive week for lodging at TSV is the week in March that is spring break for Texas schools. The easiest way to figure out which week that is for a given season is to check when the Taos Value Pass is blacked out. For 2026, the blackout dates for spring break are Sat-Thu, March 14-19. Since some people drive from Texas, while they may finish a Ski Week with the Friday morning lesson, they are likely to head home after lunch.
Divas who know what week they want to be at Taos early on often make a slopeside lodging reservation before June for an upcoming season. If that seems unthinkable, note that returning guests for lodges at Alta do "advanced reservations" for the next year when they check out. A factor that Taos and Alta have in common is very little land for development of guest lodging.
Note that the most expensive week for lodging at TSV is the week in March that is spring break for Texas schools. The easiest way to figure out which week that is for a given season is to check when the Taos Value Pass is blacked out. For 2026, the blackout dates for spring break are Sat-Thu, March 14-19. Since some people drive from Texas, while they may finish a Ski Week with the Friday morning lesson, they are likely to head home after lunch.
liquidfeet
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
Taos Ski Week, a 6-morning lesson program, 2022-23 notes
For those unfamiliar with a Taos Ski Week, the full program includes 6 consecutive morning lessons with the same instructor, Sunday thru Friday. Ski Week group lessons are run every week of the season from mid-December thru late March. Arriving on Sunday and joining a Ski Week on Monday morning...
www.theskidiva.com
liquidfeet
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
At the end of last season I vowed I would not fly west for the 2025-26 season. And here I am with a week at Taos booked. How did that happen?
It happened because I kept remembering good times at Taos. It's special. So I gave in and booked a ski club trip.
So I'll add a few things to marzNC's list that apply to the base village and its impact on my love of the place.
5. The compact base village makes the resort feel small. Nothing feels corporate. The shops all feel local, even if they aren't. Walking to the deli, the little market, to any of several ski shops, or to one's on-site lodging is pleasant. Yes, there's a hill, but much of the village is on one level, and that hill is manageable. I say that as an aging skier who suffers at altitude.
6. I've sat out in the sun with jacket and helmet off eating lunch in front of the base lift many times, watching the skiers come down the hill. How can the sun make the air feel that warm when it isn't? It's magic.
7. The base cafeteria is not as overpriced as one might expect. I don't feel taken advantage of by the prices.
8. There's an urgent care right there on the mountain. Hopefully one won't need it, but I have and even though it's out of network my insurance did kick in. It's fully equipped and well-staffed, so there won't be a rush to get down to the town of Taos if something happens.
9. Apres happens right there in front of the lift. People hang out on the big patio. Everyone is happy. There's lots of seating. I enjoy being surrounded by happy strangers.
10. Here's what the base looks like as you enter it. What's not to
A few more pics...
It's compressed.
Here's the seating area in front of the base lift.
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According to the email I got today, there is a 1/2 price Classic Ski Week in January. Can't find anything on the Taos website. Best to call the ski school for more info.
Note that the Women's Ski Week in late January is a new idea. There is also a Women's Ski Week in late February, which has been happening for the past few years.
Note that the Women's Ski Week in late January is a new idea. There is also a Women's Ski Week in late February, which has been happening for the past few years.
I am fairly new to skidiva and at this point I am not able to join/view the “meet up” page. I have never skied Taos, but based on the very positive posts I have read on skidiva about the Taos ski weeks, I have booked a ski week for Feb 22-27, 2026. I couldn’t convince husband to join me, so I will be going by myself. I am doing a private ski week (because I am a lower level intermediate skier who wants to gain confidence and improve my skills without worrying that I am holding up the rest of a group), but I would really like to meet any skidivas who will be in Taos then for a meal or an apres ski drink or just a chat. I am staying at The Blake but understand that the ski village is compact (as resort ski villages go) which hopefully should make meet ups easy! Thank you and I hope to have a chance to meet some of you in person while I am there.
Great to have you join!Pro Tip: Best way to get your 15 posts in is to ask and answer several questions on one or two topics, like this one!
So there will be quite a few Divas at TSV that week, as it's the same week as the Women's Ski Week, which, BTW, might be another choice for you to consider, rather than a private ski wk, especially as you don't know the instructors (you get to choose in a private ski week), and that week the majority -- if not all -- of the women instructors will be involved in the Women's Ski Week groups, if that matters to you. From someone who's been doing Ski Weeks for over 16 yrs, you'll be in a small group 4-6) of women at your level, and will have a woman instructor. I love private ski weeks, too, but for the price difference, you'll probably get a almost as much out of the group lesson.
And yes, TSV is very small, and many of the Divas, including myself, will be staying at Alpine Village Suites, which is right around the corner from the Blake. There will be lots of opportunities to meet us with other Divas at lunchtime and in the afternoons, when many of us get together in small groups to ski.
OK, now ask some questions, and keep an eye on this post, as I'm sure you'll get more responses throughout the day/evening.
Yes, keep posting away ! I'll be at Alpine Village Suites and agree with @TNtoTaos . What day are you arriving? I'm flying into ABQ on the Friday, the 21st ... it's nice to get there before the ski week and check out the slopes. This will be my fifth ski week since 2018.
I haven't booked my womens ski week yet, as my understanding is there's no hurry to book way in advance. I need to confirm that though.
I haven't booked my womens ski week yet, as my understanding is there's no hurry to book way in advance. I need to confirm that though.
I would suggest letting them know soon, only because they will need to decide how many women instructors they'll need for that week. Looking forward to seeing you again!
Thanks. I'll give them a call next week...
Yes, looking forward to seeing you too.
It's also nice to have a little more time to adjust to the altitude before the ski week starts.
Actually I need to buy one lift ticket (or 2) as I have Ikon base. I can get a senior midweek for $115 which doesn't sound bad unless you have a better deal that you know of. I already have an account set up and there is a 72 hour cancellation so that's pretty good. I probably don't really need to call as got enough info.
I'll PM you.
Pamtryingagain
Certified Ski Diva
Now that I am "certified" as a ski deva, I am looking into TSV for the week of Feb 22-28th. Alpine Village is full. Has anyone stayed at the Auslander in Red River? Or anyone know of another lodge or hotel that might work? I am just looking into this. I had surgery the 30th and it went very well and I could do some easy groomers by the end of feb. I could really use some instructions so this sounds like a good fit for this winter to get me going again. I haven't looked into transit to get the Taos from AIQ.
Red River is too far! Taos is only a 40 min drive (usually in clear rds) from TSV. Check out the Hampton, Pueblo Lodge, or some of the others mentioned in that thread - they're all nice.
Most people rent cars at ABQ airport, or use Turo, so they'll have a vehicle, esp if they're staying in town. There is a shuttle from the airport. There's also one in town to the mtn, but that one doesn't run very often.
You might also find some Divas who are driving from ABQ for that wk, and you may be able to sync up with them for a ride.
sorcamc
Ski Diva Extraordinaire
hey!! I am in NJ and also considering joining onto this trip. lemme know if you would like to talk about maybe traveling/sharing accommodation?? im just vaguely considering this bc im supposed to be going to Disney with my daughters the 18-22. would it be weird to fly to Orlando with skis?? LOL
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