Taos/Santa Fe 2/18-20/08

Angus · Mar 1, 2008, 11:19 AM

When: February vacation, 2/18-20/2008

Where: Santa Fe and Taos Ski Areas

Who: Angus and theshaggydawg

Conditions: 75" packed/hard pack powder @ Santa Fe & 105" packed/hard pack powder @ Taos

Skied 1/2 day Monday at Santa Fe. Blue skies at a base elevation of approximately 10,500'. On the lift at 12:30 and were the 2nd to last chair at the end of the day. Santa Fe has great trees and the above treeline skiing (although not a lot of vertical) is served by the lift. We skied everything off the Millennium and Chair Three. The double black diamond glade runs we passed on for the most part. It's amazing how there was very little ice even thought both Santa Fe and Taos had minimal snow in the 12 days prior to our arrival. The North and South Burn areas off the summit as well as Cornice were a fun - not a lot trees. Fall Line was another fun trail. Santa Fe reminded us of Sunapee size wise with more difficult terrain.

The next two days were spent at Taos. We were about the 10th chair both days. Wow! Unbelievable terrain, both lift and non-lift served. The ridges are unbelievably steep and provide probably 400-700 feet of vertical. We did not ski any of them except for the Hunzker Bowl accessible by lift. The single blacks were as difficult as anything we've skied back east - that includes pretty much every ski area (never been to Tucks). The bumps were huge on all of the blacks - appeared grooming only takes place on Blues/Greens.

Met a Burton employee and 2 of his children who had been invited by Taos to warm the natives up to the idea of snowboards. I asked him about the terrain. He rated it his top 10 in N. America.

theshaggydawg took a fall for the ages, tumbling a good 75 yards down El Funko (25-30 degrees) after letting his ski tails accidently hang off the lip. It was scary for his father to watch as he literally tumbled head over heals 3 or 4 times before finally "self arresting!" Afterwards, it was groomers for the rest of the day. Confidence was restored and pain diminished on day 2 and we were back at it!

Also, first time really enjoying woods - trees were nicely space and steep with good sized bumps. I should repeat, bumps were everywhere!

Great time would love to go back. Highly recommend.

see pictures @

http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery...ry.php?cat=869

Mar 1, 2008, 11:19 AM	#1 (permalink)
Angus Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 349	Taos/Santa Fe 2/18-20/08 When: February vacation, 2/18-20/2008 Where: Santa Fe and Taos Ski Areas Who: Angus and theshaggydawg Conditions: 75" packed/hard pack powder @ Santa Fe & 105" packed/hard pack powder @ Taos Skied 1/2 day Monday at Santa Fe. Blue skies at a base elevation of approximately 10,500'. On the lift at 12:30 and were the 2nd to last chair at the end of the day. Santa Fe has great trees and the above treeline skiing (although not a lot of vertical) is served by the lift. We skied everything off the Millennium and Chair Three. The double black diamond glade runs we passed on for the most part. It's amazing how there was very little ice even thought both Santa Fe and Taos had minimal snow in the 12 days prior to our arrival. The North and South Burn areas off the summit as well as Cornice were a fun - not a lot trees. Fall Line was another fun trail. Santa Fe reminded us of Sunapee size wise with more difficult terrain. The next two days were spent at Taos. We were about the 10th chair both days. Wow! Unbelievable terrain, both lift and non-lift served. The ridges are unbelievably steep and provide probably 400-700 feet of vertical. We did not ski any of them except for the Hunzker Bowl accessible by lift. The single blacks were as difficult as anything we've skied back east - that includes pretty much every ski area (never been to Tucks). The bumps were huge on all of the blacks - appeared grooming only takes place on Blues/Greens. Met a Burton employee and 2 of his children who had been invited by Taos to warm the natives up to the idea of snowboards. I asked him about the terrain. He rated it his top 10 in N. America. theshaggydawg took a fall for the ages, tumbling a good 75 yards down El Funko (25-30 degrees) after letting his ski tails accidently hang off the lip. It was scary for his father to watch as he literally tumbled head over heals 3 or 4 times before finally "self arresting!" Afterwards, it was groomers for the rest of the day. Confidence was restored and pain diminished on day 2 and we were back at it! Also, first time really enjoying woods - trees were nicely space and steep with good sized bumps. I should repeat, bumps were everywhere! Great time would love to go back. Highly recommend. see pictures @ http://forums.alpinezone.com/gallery...ry.php?cat=869

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Mar 1, 2008, 11:19 AM
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