Taos Ski Valley Winter Activities

If you’re in the mood for a fun winter vacation, Taos Ski Valley is a good choice. The area is located in New Mexico and is famous for its expert skiing terrain. The resort also offers a wide range of other winter activities, including ice skating, rafting, and horseback riding.

Hiking and Outdoor Adventures

Taos Ski Valley is surrounded by stunning mountain and river views, giving you the chance to enjoy nature while you’re on vacation. The area is also home to a number of different outdoor activities, such as hiking and rock climbing.

Guests can get their fix of fresh air and beautiful views on guided tours and treks through the mountains and forests. Rio Grande Stables and Big Al’s Wilderness Adventures offer horseback rides, while Wild Earth Llama Adventures provides llama trekking experiences with gourmet meals.

Snow & Weather

The high elevation of Taos Ski Valley gives the resort an edge on excellent snow conditions. The slopes are sheltered from the winds and moisture of the surrounding areas, so they’re able to produce the powder that the mountain is known for. Additionally, the snow is often softer than that found at lower-elevation destinations because the slopes are so close to the ground.

Lift Infrastructure

Most Taos chairlifts are fixed-grip quads, with a few doubles and triples sprinkled in to help keep the pace brisk. These can be a drag on the average skier’s day, especially on longer runs, but luckily, Lift 1 is now a high-speed detachable quad that allows you to access some solid lower-mountain terrain faster than before.

Dining and Nightlife

After a long day on the slopes, you’ll want to recharge your batteries by taking in some live music at the apres ski bar or enjoying an intimate dinner in town. You can find anything from spicy northern New Mexican fare to four-star fine dining in Taos Ski Valley, and the après scene isn’t too busy or rowdy.

Ice Skating

Taos Ski Valley hosts an ice rink in the lower plaza, which is open for skaters of all ages and ability levels throughout the winter season. This affordable activity is one of our favorite Taos winter activities!

Lodging

Almost all of the hotels and condos in Taos Ski Valley are ski-in/ski-out, so you won’t have to walk too far from your lodging to hit the slopes. You can even stay in a luxury hotel like The Blake, which is located right on the base of Lift 1.

Overall Satisfaction

With a reputation for a challenging terrain, it’s no surprise that Taos Ski Valley is popular with advanced-level skiers and snowboarders. The resort’s terrain is full of black- and double-black-rated runs, as well as a large amount of intimidating off-piste runs.

However, there’s enough green and blue terrain to keep the mountain interesting for beginner skiers and riders too. Thankfully, the majority of these trails are consistently groomed and well-marked, making it easy for guests to find a suitable run without getting lost.