It’s not often that you get to ask how tall a mountain is, but when you do, it’s worth noting that there’s more than one answer. For example, Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico is officially 7,000 feet above sea level, yet its ski run Baldy’s 5th appears to be a full 8,000 feet uphill (depending on who you ask). So it’s common for people in New Mexico to say “Taos is a big mountain,” yet when you point out that it really isn’t, they’ll say “Well, it is if you’re skiing down it.” But that’s another story.
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The Real Height Of Taos
If you’ve ever been to New Mexico, you probably know that the area is rich in Native American culture and history. Today, Taos is home to numerous artists, writers, and musicians who use the area’s unique geography and climate to their advantage. In winter, the snow and sun combine to form a spectacular backdrop for any outing, while the area’s hiking trails and rivers make for some of the best outdoor activities in the country.
The Native Americans from Taos called the area Pueblo Grande de Taos. The Spanish conquerors changed the name to Taos Ski Valley. Since then, the region’s four ski resorts – Taos, North Taos, South Taos, and Ski Apache – have attracted people from all over the world, and continue to do so today.
The Skiing History Of Taos
Taos was originally developed as a training ground for World War II pilots. The U.S. government bought the land from its private owner for use as a military base, and quickly turned it into a full-fledged resort. Since then, the U.S. Army has continued to be a major presence at the resort, using it as a training ground until 1998, when the government decided to close the base. However, the Army has kept the ski run names and a few of the structures on the base, and today, visitors can still enjoy what the military built.
The 4 Resorts Of Taos
With the development of Interstate 40 in the 1950s, the tourism industry around New Mexico really took off. The state is now full of beautiful bungalows and welcoming locals, making for some great vacations. It seems that the best vacation towns in New Mexico are at the ski resorts, as Taos and the other three – Ruidoso, Abiqui and Santa Fe – all feature some of the best slopes in the area, attracting both beginners and advanced skiers alike. With the development of the cable car in the 1960s and the chairlift in the 1970s, the skiing experience at Taos became truly unforgettable, changing the face of the entire resort.
Today, the slopes at Taos still feature some of the most spectacular panoramas in the country, with the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the Jemez Mountains, and the magnificent Abellón Peak providing some of the premier views of nature and wildlife. It’s not often that you get to enjoy such wide-open spaces and glorious backdrops, especially not at a ski resort. There’s nothing quite like coming down a snowy hillside, with the wind in your face and the sun warming your back as you ski away.
Baldy’s 5th
Baldy’s 5th is the highest ski run at Taos, yet its trail head isn’t even at 7,000 feet. To get there, you have to drive to the top of the Mountain Matador, which is actually closer to 8,000 feet, and walk down the run. As you near the bottom, you’ll start to feel the elevation, but until then, you won’t realize how much you stand to lose if you fall off. The 5th is an awesome run, yet almost everyone who skis it, regrets doing so once the trail ends. A few brave souls will tell you that this is one of the greatest things they’ve ever done, and they mean it. A steep, rugged trail, with breathtaking views of the Jemez Mountains and a whole lot of snow, mixed with rocks and tree branches, make for an amazing experience. Yet, it’s one that you have to live down.
The Changing Face Of Taos
Although the ski industry brought major changes to Taos, the mountain changed the most with the development of the cable car. The first cable car was installed in 1962, connecting the existing hotel with the base, allowing eager skiers to access more trails and more impressive views. In the years since, Taos has continued to grow, developing the Happy Mountain and Paradise Meadows trails, which offer some of the best beginner and intermediate skiing in the country. Newcomers and experts alike can enjoy the thrills of skiing, while the area’s cultural scene continues to flourish.
Today, it’s hard to imagine that Taos was ever a secret military base or a place where pilots trained for World War II. Thanks to the area’s unique geography and the brilliant vision of a few passionate individuals, the village of Taos became a paradise, earning it the nickname “The Town That Time Forgot.” The development of the ski resorts truly changed the face of the entire village, yet thanks to the efforts of the locals, who were determined to keep the village’s original spirit alive, the transformation has resulted in a stunningly beautiful community that time, unfortunately, cannot forget.