Photo Courtesy of Seth Bullington

It is a cold and bright morning at Taos Ski Valley as you unload Lift 6 at 11,815 ft. The sun sparkles off snow crystals and the snow creaks under your skis as you glide to a stop at the Ridge Gate.

The excitement and energy of the skiers around you is contagious as you pop off your skis and lift them to your shoulder to begin the hike to Taos’ famed ridges.

For ten minutes you trudge through the trees and climb steeply, then you break out onto the ridgeline, and it is the view that steals your breath away. For miles and miles you see mountains and plains reaching all the way to Colorado. Hike a little further, choose a chute and take the plunge.

No matter what you choose to ski, from Oster to Wonder Bowl or Juarez to Kachina Peak, each run will return you to an experience of the sacred spirit that skiers have communed with for more than 50 years at Taos Ski Valley.