Travel Tips, News, and Conditions for Taos Ski Valley (TSV) 2026-27

[marzNC]

As has been discussed in recent years, making the trek to Taos Ski Valley (TSV) for a Ski Week is a great idea for skiers interested in a multi-day ski clinic that costs under $500. For those interested in a women’s clinic and/or meeting with other Divas in person, the annual gathering called Diva West will be at TSV in late February 2027. That week coincides with one of the Taos Women’s Ski Weeks.

Travel arrangements for Taos are a bit more complicated than for many popular destination resorts in the Rockies. To get the discussion started, I put together basic info for people who haven’t been to Taos before or haven’t been for more than ten years. Travel preferences vary for many reasons. Quite a few Divas have traveled to New Mexico for a Ski Week in recent years so there is plenty of experience to draw on if you have any questions. Feel free to ask in this thread anytime or later on during the summer or fall in a Meet On The Hill (MOTH) thread related to Diva West 2027.

Travel Tips, Part 1: transportation
Travel Tips, Part 2: special considerations such as altitude adjustment, choosing which week
Travel Tips, Part 3: overview of lodging options
Lift Ticket Options

A Taos Ski Week consists of six consecutive morning lessons (Sun-Fri) with the same instructor and lesson group for under $500, including tip. Ski Week group lessons are available for any level from intermediate to expert. If you have never heard about Ski Weeks before, check out this overview based on experiences of Ski Divas in the last decade:

November 2025
Taos Ski Week: A Complete Guide to Skiing’s Best Lesson Deal

From a terrain standpoint, Taos is known for steeps and varying types of bump terrain, which is why many people do multiple Ski Weeks specifically to learn more approaches for skiing moguls regardless of ski experience. From a ski instruction standpoint, TSV is unusual because there are areas with easy "baby" bumps, blue bumps, harder blue bumps, and complex or expert black/double-black bumps with or without trees. That makes it possible to have good progression for any ability level. Intermediates who are interested can have a guided experience on easy bumps during lessons. There are long green/blue groomers for fun in the afternoons. Fundamentals are taught at all levels.

In the last decade I’ve done Classic Ski Weeks, Private Ski Weeks, and a Women’s Ski Week. Note that Ski Weeks have been offered the entire season for over 50 years. My ski/travel buddies and I have found Ski Weeks addictive because they are so effective for improving ski technique for any ability level and personality.

I already have plans to return to Taos next season in late February during Diva West. Hope to meet up with old friends and make new ones!

 

[marzNC]

Taos Travel Tips, Part 1 - Getting to New Mexico, then Taos and TSV

Travelers who fly to do a Taos Ski Week usually go to Albuquerque. The ABQ airport is not that big and is easy to navigate. There is a separate car rental center that requires a short ride on a shuttle bus. It’s possible to fly into Santa Fe (SFA), but there are fewer flight options and limited options for renting a car. On the plus side, SFA is tiny so it takes very little time to get baggage and head out the terminal door. While the Denver airport is easier to reach, it is a 5-hour drive.

Some people who live in the midwest or east prefer to stay in an airport motel the night before flying home. As opposed to leaving TSV/Taos early in the morning for an early afternoon departure from ABQ. There are several hotels/motels with free airport shuttles.

While it’s possible to get a shuttle from ABQ or SFA to Taos/TSV, coordinating with flight schedules can severely limit the options. Must allow four hours for a shuttle ride. It can be simpler to rent a car, ideally sharing with someone willing to match travel dates. Even splitting the cost with just one person, the cost can be about the same or better than paying for an airport shuttle. In 2025, a round trip shuttle cost $250-300 including tax and tip.

Taos has a small airport served by commercial jets with limited non-stop service from a few cities such as Denver, Austin, Dallas, and Burbank. Could be worth considering for someone staying slopeside.

It’s an easy 3-hour drive from Albuquerque to the town of Taos. The drive is on highways with no concern about snowy roads. If driving from ABQ, best to take RT599, which is a bypass around Santa Fe. Santa Fe is about an hour closer to Taos than Albuquerque.

The drive between the town of Taos and the village of Taos Ski Valley (TSV) at the base of the resort takes about 30 minutes via a two-lane highway, with nine miles of mountain driving. While AWD is not required, it can be a good idea for the TSV parking lot or during a snowstorm. The road is rarely closed due to snow. Even when the road is dry, best to take it slow when navigating the hill that leads down to the entrance of the TSV parking lots. Day parking is free. Overnight guests staying at slopeside lodges have reserved parking areas.

There is a free public bus between Taos and TSV that should run for the 2026-27 winter season. Green Route #341 ran the last two seasons. The bus does not run Mondays and Tuesdays. The route runs along Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, the main street that runs directly through town. The schedule is geared to a full ski day and is not useful for people staying in TSV interested in eating dinner in town.

Several car rental companies cover ABQ. There are limited options at the airport rental center to guarantee 4WD/AWD. To guarantee AWD, renting using Turo is an option.

Car rental rates are dynamic. Quite possible to find a cheaper rate as the season progresses, especially if snow conditions are not optimal by mid-January. I never pre-pay for a car rental. That makes it possible to make a new reservation at a cheaper rate, then cancel the previous one. Costco members can get good rates using Costco Travel (second driver free if present at desk together with primary driver). For ABQ, the companies working with Costco are Alamo, National, Budget, and Enterprise. Only Alamo will guarantee AWD for a Costco rental (started in 2023). Hertz and SixT also have cars available at ABQ.

The last couple seasons, car rental rates dropped by January because of low snow conditions. I may start checking rates during the summer but may wait to make a rental reservation, either with Costco or Turo. One advantage of using Turo is that I can choose a RAV4, which is what I own.

 

[marzNC]

Taos Travel Tips, Part 2 - Special Considerations: high altitude, choosing a week

For those people unfamiliar with New Mexico, the altitude is higher than you might expect from pictures of desert landscapes with mountains in the distance. Albuquerque is around 5300 ft, Taos and Santa Fe are about 7000 ft, while the base of TSV is just over 9000 ft. Most skiable terrain is between 9500 and 11,500 ft.

Staying in either ABQ or Taos for a night or two before moving to TSV can be helpful for those who live in the flatlands. If adjusting to high altitude is an issue, it may be better to sleep in Taos the entire trip. Note that some people get a prescription from their physicians for Diamox (acetazolamide) to help with altitude adjustment.

My preference flying from central North Carolina (elevation 300 ft) is to stay a few nights in town to help adjust to the high altitude even if I plan to stay in slopeside lodging during a Ski Week. I choose a flight that arrives at ABQ by early afternoon, pick up a rental SUV at the airport, and drive to Taos the same day. After trying assorted options for where to stay starting in 2017, I found that to be the simplest approach. My last trip to Taos was in late February 2026.

Choosing an optimal week is a personal decision. There are advantages and disadvantages for every possible week. Intermediates can learn a great deal during any Ski Week, which are offered all season. Having the lessons before February can be helpful for people who ski more than 10 days a season. Advanced skiers may want to go after mid-February, when it’s more likely that black and double-black terrain will be fully open. A Women's Ski Week is of interest to some Divas, while others prefer the flexibility of picking a different week that fits in better with the rest of their winter plans.

Starting with the 2025-26 season, Women’s Ski Week was offered in mid-December, late January, and late February. The price is the same as a Classic Ski Week, which is co-ed but I’ve seen intermediate groups that were all women. No pre-registration is required for Women’s Ski Week or Classic Ski Week.

The busiest week after New Year’s is in March when Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas schools have spring break for colleges and K-12 schools. Plane fares and lodging rates are higher around the holiday periods, which is when the Taos Value Pass is blacked out. The busiest spring break week is often the second week of March.

I’ve done more than one Ski Week during low snow conditions as an advanced skier. What I learned while working with an instructor on groomers was invaluable for improving technique useful in any terrain. Low snow conditions are possible even during the second half of February. The last Ski Week for which I did a detailed trip report was in February 2025.

 

[marzNC]

Taos Travel Tips, Part 3 - Lodging Options

There are three general locations for lodging when skiing TSV: 1) in the town of Taos, 2) near the road between Taos and TSV, 3) in the village of TSV near base of Lift 1. The areas between the town of Taos and TSV include El Prado, Arroyo Seco, Valdez, and Arroyo Hondo. VRBO and AirBnB have listings in all these areas. The options for lodging continue to evolve as TSV becomes more of a 4-season destination resort, so descriptions of lodging options and restaurant recommendations mentioned in trip reports more than a couple years old may be obsolete.

The recommended motels in town are the Hampton Inn and El Pueblo Lodge (independent). El Pueblo is closer to TSV and walking distance to the town center square. The Hampton Inn is closer to the supermarkets and Walmart. Both are near bus stops. However, It’s best to have a car if staying in town.

The independent slopeside lodges at TSV are Snakedance, Edelweiss, Alpine Village Suites, and Brownell Chalet. Some of the units are hotel rooms, while most are small condos with kitchens/kitchenettes. Snakedance caters to ski clubs. The Blake is the resort’s luxury hotel. These buildings are a short walk (2-3 min, mostly on heated pavement) from Lift 1.

A car is not required when staying slopeside. Note that the dinner options are limited at TSV.

In the last decade, Alpine Village Suites (AVS) has become “Diva Central.” Meaning many Divas who opt for slopeslide lodging stay at AVS. While reservations can be made online, it can be good to call if not sure which type of room would be best. I've stayed at AVS several times. It's more rustic than Snakedance or Edelweiss but the location is great. The staff are wonderful, which is not surprising for a family-owned lodge.

There are several condo complexes that are near Lift 1. Sierra Del Sol, Powderhorn, and Twining are the closest. Rio Hondo is near the Children’s Ski School and close to the gondolita (with or without skis) for easy access to the main base. Kandahar, and Snow Bear are up on the hill (past the urgent care office) The access road to Kandahar and Snow Bear requires AWD. These two complexes are ski in/out when lifts are running, but not an easy walk to the village after hours. Most, if not all, of the units in these complexes are privately owned so there is quite a bit of variation in how each condo is set up. VRBO, AirBnB, and Hotels.com have units available for a short-term rental. Kandahar has a full-time manager on-site.

For slopeside lodging, it’s better to make a reservation before July if at all possible. A phone call or email may be needed if the online booking system isn’t available yet for winter reservations.

 

[marzNC]

Taos Lift Access

Most travelers considering a Taos Ski Week check out Ikon or the Mountain Collective to cover lift access. Full Ikon provides 7 days, while Ikon Base covers 5 days and has holiday blackout dates. Mountain Collective covers 2 days and provides a 50% discount off window rates for any additional days. Someone who can make use of a MC pass for another ski trip or two can get good value over the entire season. Both are sold from each March until early December, with a few small price increases after early spring.

People who will be at TSV during Diva West 2027 probably will be able to find Ikon holders with Friends & Family tickets left. The discount for F&F is 25% off window rates.

Taos offers options for people who don’t plan on using a multi-resort pass. There is a 5-day flex ticket for about $500. In 2025-26, Taos Ski School offered discounted lift tickets to Ski Week participants for $100 per day. Lift tickets bought online more than 72 hours in advance are discounted up to 45%, with weekends are priced higher than weekdays. Multi-day tickets include a rest day. In 2025-26, a day ticket for an adult ages 18-64 was $205 and $185 for seniors 65-79.

 

[mzhang]

Very helpful read! Thanks!

 

[TNtoTaos]

November 2025
Taos Ski Week: A Complete Guide to Skiing’s Best Lesson Deal

From a terrain standpoint, Taos is known for steeps and varying types of bump terrain, which is why many people do multiple Ski Weeks specifically to learn more approaches for skiing moguls regardless of ski experience. From a ski instruction standpoint, TSV is unusual because there are areas with easy "baby" bumps, blue bumps, harder blue bumps, and complex or expert black/double-black bumps with or without trees. That makes it possible to have good progression for any ability level. Intermediates who are interested can have a guided experience on easy bumps during lessons. There are long green/blue groomers for fun in the afternoons. Fundamentals are taught at all levels.

Another great advantage to taking a Ski Week for those who have never been to TSV is that your instructor will take you to terrain that is suited to your level, so that when you have time to ski in the afternoons you won't have to wonder where you can ski that will be best for your level. This applies to those seeking Intermediate terrain as well as those seeking Advanced terrain. This yr, a couple of new Divas (new to TSV, as well) were invited by their instructor to hike the Ridge after class, which they never would have attempted, or even really known about, otherwise. They had such a great time that they went up to Kachina peak several more times that week!

 

[Aerlind]

Question. How are conditions typically in early season?

For examp-le, if you asked me the same about Big Sky, I’d say “if it’s a low snow year, December can be ok because it’s high, expect about 30-40% of the mountain open”, which was even the case this season, where we had very little snow: everything that fell as snow in Nov/Dec fell above 8000ft, which is a lot of Big Sky. Conversely, ina. Heavier year, they have most of the mountain open by the end of Dec. However, I know there’s a lot of mountains that require so much to even open…

I ask because my parents have a place 3 hours away, in Colorado, and when I visit at Christmas I’d love to do a couple days at Taos. However this past seasons was SO light we determined it “not worth it”. I’m trying to feel out if it’s ever “worth it” fora late December trip or if we would be better served trying for something later in the season.

 

[TNtoTaos]

In my 26 yrs' experience at Taos, in a typical yr, they usually start getting snow in late October, and usually open around Thanksgiving. They also make a lot of snow at that time, and once it gets cold it stays cold, so they really build a good base. There are sometimes some good dumps of snow between TG and Christmas, as happened 2 yrs ago, so by mid-December they might have around 75% of their Intermediate terrain open. Advanced terrain in early season is hit-or-miss. January is usually pretty dry, with occasional storms, and there is usually no more snowmaking after January, as their water allotment is done by then.
February is when it really starts snowing in Taos, and that usually lasts thru March. So if you only have one ski trip planned, save Taos for February.

We often stop by Taos on our way back to TN from Wolf Creek in mid-December, and it's usually pretty decent skiing on Intermediate terrain, but we're not expecting much. Wolf Creek Ski Area in SW Colorado is the place to do your early season trip, esp if you're going to be in CO anyway. They'll be 100% open in December, often with good powder -- they get almost as much annual snowfall as Alta! Check out the threads on Wolf Creek:

Wolf Creek in Colorado, 2025-26 news and conditions

No October opening at Wolf Creek Ski Area (WCSA) for 2025-26. Although that's not unusual. In the past five years, the opening day has been in October three times and in November twice. A storm system is forecast for mid-November in Colorado. While opening by the weekend of Nov. 15-16 might...

www.theskidiva.com

 

[Aerlind]

In my 26 yrs' experience at Taos, in a typical yr, they usually start getting snow in late October, and usually open around Thanksgiving. They also make a lot of snow at that time, and once it gets cold it stays cold, so they really build a good base. There are sometimes some good dumps of snow between TG and Christmas, as happened 2 yrs ago, so by mid-December they might have around 75% of their Intermediate terrain open. Advanced terrain in early season is hit-or-miss. January is usually pretty dry, with occasional storms, and there is usually no more snowmaking after January, as their water allotment is done by then.
February is when it really starts snowing in Taos, and that usually lasts thru March. So if you only have one ski trip planned, save Taos for February.

We often stop by Taos on our way back to TN from Wolf Creek in mid-December, and it's usually pretty decent skiing on Intermediate terrain, but we're not expecting much. Wolf Creek Ski Area in SW Colorado is the place to do your early season trip, esp if you're going to be in CO anyway. They'll be 100% open in December, often with good powder -- they get almost as much annual snowfall as Alta! Check out the threads on Wolf Creek:

Wolf Creek in Colorado, 2025-26 news and conditions

No October opening at Wolf Creek Ski Area (WCSA) for 2025-26. Although that's not unusual. In the past five years, the opening day has been in October three times and in November twice. A storm system is forecast for mid-November in Colorado. While opening by the weekend of Nov. 15-16 might...

www.theskidiva.com

My I-grew-up-in-the-Denver-area brain said “But Wolf Creek is so much farther”, then I looked it up from my parents’ place, and it’s 3 hours 15 minutes from there….so not any worse than Taos. Seeing as in Montana, we regularly drive 2-3 hours for a day trip, that’s not bad….and I’ve always wanted to do more than “just pass through” Pagosa Springs. I think we overnighted there once, but I had the horse with me, which limits you a bit from “playing tourist”! However, Wolf Creek isn’t on Mountain Collective or Ikon, so it’ll be a harder sell to the SO, who always says “I paid so much for the Ikon I need to use it” (I kept getting that response when I asked if we could go to Whitefish for my birthday….but noooooo we needed to use passes so we went to Sun Valley instead…I digress).

Anyway, thanks for the insight. I’m not sure what we’ll do next season yet, we’ve talked about a Canadian tour, but also Taos.

 

[TNtoTaos]

My I-grew-up-in-the-Denver-area brain said “But Wolf Creek is so much farther”, then I looked it up from my parents’ place, and it’s 3 hours 15 minutes from there….so not any worse than Taos. Seeing as in Montana, we regularly drive 2-3 hours for a day trip, that’s not bad….and I’ve always wanted to do more than “just pass through” Pagosa Springs. I think we overnighted there once, but I had the horse with me, which limits you a bit from “playing tourist”! However, Wolf Creek isn’t on Mountain Collective or Ikon, so it’ll be a harder sell to the SO, who always says “I paid so much for the Ikon I need to use it” (I kept getting that response when I asked if we could go to Whitefish for my birthday….but noooooo we needed to use passes so we went to Sun Valley instead…I digress).

Anyway, thanks for the insight. I’m not sure what we’ll do next season yet, we’ve talked about a Canadian tour, but also Taos.

But Wolf Creek is MUCH less expensive than most of the resorts on the big passes: full-day Adult (non-peak) tix = $93, Senior = $62; half-day are $77 and $53. And during Local Appreciation Days (everyone's a local!) tix are $70 (adult) and $51 (senior): Dec 1-4 and 8-11. We usually go during that second week.

Pro Tip: If you decide to go, DON'T stay in Pagosa, stay in South Fork, so you don't have to drive thru Wolf Creek Pass -- if it snows enough, the pass will close. Also, they're doing construction on the main road thru Pagosa now, which is a traffic-rerouting nightmare. South Fork has a few decent motels, and is 30 min from Wolf Creek.

 

[marzNC]

Agree with @TNtoTaos that driving from Denver to Taos in December for a day trip isn't worth it. Only reason to go would be if someone were interested in a Ski Week as a way to jumpstart their season. I did a private lesson with Derek the last time I drove to Taos after skiing Wolf Creek in December. Working on groomers, even Pioneer, with him can be very useful. He's cut back on how much he skis (over 80yo) so hard to know when he'll retire completely.

Wolf Creek has been 100% open by Dec. 11 for the past five winters, including the past season.

However, Wolf Creek isn’t on Mountain Collective or Ikon, so it’ll be a harder sell to the SO, who always says “I paid so much for the Ikon I need to use it” (I kept getting that response when I asked if we could go to Whitefish for my birthday….but noooooo we needed to use passes so we went to Sun Valley instead…I digress).

Anyway, thanks for the insight. I’m not sure what we’ll do next season yet, we’ve talked about a Canadian tour, but also Taos.

As for using Ikon/MC in December in Colorado, Copper and Winter Park are the places to check in terms of snowfall by mid-Dec. In Dec 2022, my ski buddy and I stopped by Winter Park on the way to South Fork. That winter, the Mary Jane side opened early. We had a grand time skiing WP/MJ Dec. 8-10 before heading south. Was even worth getting up early and skiing a few hours that Sat morning before the 4 hr drive. In contrast, going to WP to ski Dec. 16-17, 2025 was pretty boring. Only a few groomers open. Although we met a small bunch of seniors from the midwest that made those two days quite fun.

 

[Aerlind]

I spent a lot of time at Copper and Winter Park as a kid, there and Loveland. The Taos trip is appealing because it’s 3 hours from my parents’ mountain/retirement place in Westcliffe (small town south of CO springs), though we’d probably overnight there and make a 2-day trip.

Oh, related question, how is Taos (the town) as far as activities for non-skiers? My parents don’t ski (anymore, though I might almost have my mom convinced to come to Targhee next season!) but it would be fun if they could join us and hang out in town.

 

[Jerez]

There are very good art museums in Taos, both contemporary and mid century NM art. Lots of shopping, if you like NM and Native arts and such. If not into art, there's also the Kit Carson Museum of frontier history, which is cool and a spectacular collection of vintage native jewelry at the Milicent Rogers Museum. And really good food. And, not terribly far away for a day trip, there's Ojo Caliente, a hot springs and spa in a fabulous setting. For natural beauty, it's hard to beat the Gorge.

 

[marzNC]

I spent a lot of time at Copper and Winter Park as a kid, there and Loveland. The Taos trip is appealing because it’s 3 hours from my parents’ mountain/retirement place in Westcliffe (small town south of CO springs), though we’d probably overnight there and make a 2-day trip.

Oh, related question, how is Taos (the town) as far as activities for non-skiers? My parents don’t ski (anymore, though I might almost have my mom convinced to come to Targhee next season!) but it would be fun if they could join us and hang out in town.

Makes more sense to spend the night in Taos then doing a day trip with a 3-hr drive each way.

For people who like art, music, and history, Taos is a fun town. If you have lodging near the town center, it's an easy walk. El Pueblo is 0.5 mile from the main square.

Wyndham Taos rents units. If you could get a 1BR/2BA unit, that would be comfortable for two couples.

The Taos Inn is right in the center of town. Small rooms with plenty of character.

During my first trip to Taos, I skied a few runs with an 80yo man who was looking for company when loading Lift 4. He and his wife didn't start skiing until they both retired. She wasn't skiing anymore due to RA, but was happy to spend a month in Taos. The irony was that even though they had been to Taos often, he had never heard of the Taos Ski Week. He only skied the groomers . . . fast . . . at TSV. He would ride the public bus in his ski boots.

 

[TNtoTaos]

There are very good art museums in Taos, both contemporary and mid century NM art. Lots of shopping, if you like NM and Native arts and such. If not into art, there's also the Kit Carson Museum of frontier history, which is cool and a spectacular collection of vintage native jewelry at the Milicent Rogers Museum. And really good food. And, not terribly far away for a day trip, there's Ojo Caliente, a hot springs and spa in a fabulous setting. For natural beauty, it's hard to beat the Gorge.

And don't forget the Taos Pueblo, which has been continuously inhabited for over 1000 yrs.

 

[Pamtryingagain]

Thank you for this detailed information and all the help you give to everyone trying to sort this out! As a returning skier after a long long break, the ski week was a game changer to get me back into it. I plan to go again and was just wanting to start looking into lodging, etc.

 

[Pamtryingagain]

I spent a lot of time at Copper and Winter Park as a kid, there and Loveland. The Taos trip is appealing because it’s 3 hours from my parents’ mountain/retirement place in Westcliffe (small town south of CO springs), though we’d probably overnight there and make a 2-day trip.

Oh, related question, how is Taos (the town) as far as activities for non-skiers? My parents don’t ski (anymore, though I might almost have my mom convinced to come to Targhee next season!) but it would be fun if they could join us and hang out in town.

I this Taos is cute. I stayed there a couple days before ski week this year to acclimate to the altitude and i did some gorgeous warm weather hiking into the Rio Grande gorge area where I saw long horned sheep resting on a picnic table; there is a lot of hiking in the area if they like that. There are galleries, and shopping options and a hot springs somewhere in Santa Fe if they don't mind driving a bit. There is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Taos called Taos Pueblo that is supposed to be very intersting. I couldn't see it in Feburary because it was closed for a death in the community, so I hope to go in Feb this year.

 

[TNtoTaos]

The hot springs are in Ojo Caliente, which is about 40 min from Taos. Many skiers take off a day during their ski weeks to spend in Ojo Caliente.

 

[VickiK]

I think I'll opt for the Ojo Caliente hot springs next time and take the day off from the ski week lessons. I was under the impression that Taos Pueblo was closed to visitors during the winter (and certainly the road might be deep in snow) but if it's open and accessible, I'd love to go.

Taos the town overflows with charm, culture, good food, fun shops, and beautiful art galleries. IMHO.