Skiing & Snowboarding for All Levels

Taos Ski Valley is a Great Place to Learn to Ski or Snowboard

Taos Ski Valley offers plenty of terrain for all ability levels with 49% of its vast terrain designated beginner and intermediate runs. Expert skiiers and snowboarders will love the legendary Taos steeps. Take the Kachina Chair Lift to a dazzling 12,450 feet (the nation's 4th highest lift-served summit), hike to powder stashes, or bang the moguls—it's all here and waiting!

Beginner & Intermediate Terrain

Taos Ski Valley, has all kinds of activities for families and teens. Mountain vacations have always been a family affair here, so TSV makes it easy to introduce your children to snowsports while ensuring you have a great time too.

A series of unique children's programs, led by specially trained instructors and housed in a state-of-the-art facility gets your kids safely on the snow and building confidence that they will take with them for life. Your kids will find their "home base" in the Children's Center very comfortable, fun and filled with new friends to make. Children even have their own miniatured-sized slope area that offers kids a learning space with pint-sized lifts, special terrain and equipment shop. Fantastic confidence building for the little ones.

Snow Conditions

While most days are full of sunshine in Taos Ski Valley, we do have days with wind and or snow. Check the Snow Report.

Fast Facts

Town of Taos - 6,967 feet
Taos Ski Valley (base) - 9,207 feet
Wheeler Peak (highest point in New Mexico) - 13,161 feet

Skiers have access to 1,294 acres of skiable terrain.
A great mix of terrain provides trails for all ability types.
Taos Ski Valley is located in the Sangre De Cristo Mountains in Northern New Mexico, home to a distinctive European atmosphere combined with local Native American and Spanish cultures.
The snow quality is light and dry and makes for excellent powder days. The resort does not receive too much skier traffic and powder stashes can go hours without being touched.

Lifts & Terrain

Skiers have access to 1,294 acres of skiable terrain. We have 110 trails and 15 lifts. Check the most up to date Lift Status and Trail Openings

Taos Ski Valley is a powder lover’s paradise and is known for having light, dry powder, undetectable lift lines, steep chutes, big bumps, cornices and tree glades. For those looking to make some untouched powder turns, hike or ride to the top of Kachina Peak. The mountain towers over the resort at 12,481 feet and offers some of the finest advanced to expert terrain in North America.

With 110 ski and board trails, you are certain to find your bliss. Half of Taos Ski Valley's runs are rated for beginner/intermediate skiers. There is a trail here for every level. Download the Trail map, a cutout of the West Basin Ridge, or a cutout of Highline Ridge & Kachina Peak.

Hike to Terrain

West Basin is home to some of Taos’ steepest chutes, chokes and rock bands. A short hike from the top of Lift #2 will offer access to a multitude of different runs featuring countless lines to choose from. From local’s favorites Stauffenberg and Zdarsky, all the way to Wild West Glades, you are certain to find terrain to get your adrenaline pumping and challenge even the best skiers and riders. If hiking is not your thing, you can access a good portion of the West Basin via the High Traverse at the top of Reforma.

The crown jewel of Taos Ski Valley, 12,481' Kachina Peak stands tall above the Sangre de Cristo Mountain Range. The Kachina Peak summit is legendary and offers some of the most spectacular views and inbounds skiing and riding in North America. Historically demanding a 45 minute hike, the Kachina Peak Lift now delivers skiers and riders to the peak in just 5 minutes. Enthusiasts looking to really push themselves should check out Dahl-Bredines', a rocky face littered with billy-goat lines and big drops. Be sure to keep your eyes out for the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep that call Kachina Peak home.

Terrain Park

Maxie's Terrain Park is looking better than it ever has. Featuring a new layout with exciting new lines. Skier's right is home to some smaller jumps, rollers, and features for those just beginning to explore the freestyle terrain park. Skier's left features a larger line, including several big airs, and our brand new manual pad. Scattered boxes and rails catering to all ability levels help to fill out the park and allow skiers and boarders to link silky smooth lines. Maxie's Terrain Park is open daily from 10:00 am - 3:00 pm, weather permitting.

Ski and Snowboard Lessons in Taos Ski Valley

Snowsports School & Lessons

Taos Ski Valley has one of the top-rated ski and board schools in the country, for beginners to experts, so you can sharpen your skills to unparalleled form. Check out the Children’s Center with its fun activities and special tots' Snowsports School. The Snowsports School at Taos offers a variety of adult lessons, both group and private. And be sure to check out the very popular, bargain ski week. There's sure to be a ski week or a lesson that will get you to the next level. With some of the world's lightest powder, lots of sunshine, and short to non-existent lift lines, you get the best that any alpine region can deliver at Taos Ski Valley.

Tubing Park

Due to a new Gondola and new trails in the beginner's hill area, the Tubing Hill will be cancelled for the 2018-19 winter season.
If you have your own sled many people enjoy sledding down the hill next to the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa and the Gondola.

Day Lockers & Equipment Storage

Day lockers for gear storage are available for a daily rental fee in the locker room. To find the locker room go to the Resort Plaza and take the outdoor stairs in front of Tenderfoot Katie's to the lower level.

Rented skis and snowboards are usually stored overnight at no additional charge from the place you rented your equipment from. If you bring your own equipment and want to lock up your snowboard or skis, check with Taos Sports on the Resort Plaza.

Seasonal ski and board lockers are full and there is a waitlist available. For more information email seasonpass@skitaos.com

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