Taos lifts snowboarding ban

[drjeff]

http://www.firsttracksonline.com/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=3472


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Dec 14, 2007 - 07:46 AM
Taos Ski Valley Lifts Snowboarding Ban
News - Resorts
Taos Ski Valley, NM - After years of drawing the ire of snowboarders everywhere, Taos Ski Valley officials have announced that snowboarding will be permitted on the New Mexico ski resort's slopes beginning March 19.



The slopes of New Mexico's Taos Ski Valley will be open to snowboarding for the first time on March 19th.
(photo: FTO/Marc Guido)

"After years of discussion and planning this exciting new chapter in Taos Ski Valley history and putting many of the pieces in place, the time is right," the Blake family, owners of Taos Ski Valley, announced in a release to the media. "We are excited about this change and look forward to welcoming a whole new group of snow enthusiasts to our mountain."

In an era when many skiing

families travel with a snowboarder or two in tow, Taos officials found themselves turning more and more potential guests away. With the change, only three skier-only mountains remain in the U.S.: Alta and Deer Valley, both in Utah, and Vermont's Mad River Glen.

For this winter, snowboarding will only be permitted for the final two and a half weeks of Taos' ski season. The Blakes indicate that they'll spend the summer addressing any issues that may arise and continuing to prepare Taos' facilities and staff to accommodate snowboarders. Planning is also underway for a number of events and festivities to coincide with the lifting of the snowboarding ban.

 

[SkiDog]

Beat me to it...

Snowboarders can rejoice...

M

 

[MrMagic]

wow a win for boarders a loss for skiers?

 

[SkiDog]

wow a win for boarders a loss for skiers?

I wouldnt say loss to skiers...this will likely bring Taos MUCH NEEDED revenue...they are struggling....low snowpack years blah blah.....so maybe it will bring some improvements over there too..

Wonder whos next??? Unfortunately for you east coasters i doubt it'll be MRG..and for me..I hope it isnt Alta EVER.

M

 

[millerm277]

Not suprising, as Taos has been struggling from what I've heard. I don't see the others changing at anytime in the near future, and if they ever do change, it isn't likely going to be because they need additional revenue.

 

[PA Ridge Racer]

Wow thats big news.. Good for them. They'll probably break visit number records next season

 

[cbcbd]

The Blakes indicate that they'll spend the summer addressing any issues that may arise and continuing to prepare Taos' facilities and staff to accommodate snowboarders.

So snowboarders are now "special needs"?

 

[jaytrem]

I just wish they would lift the ban a little sooner. I'll have two snowboard only friends with me for a trip to NM in Feb. I think they're going to give skiing a shot, so at least I'll have some entertainment.

 

[First Tracks]

drjeff, while I'm enormously grateful that you're reading FTO, I'd suggest that linking to copyrighted material would be more appropriate than a copy/paste operation.

Thanks for your courtesy and understanding,
Marc

 

[drjeff]

drjeff, while I'm enormously grateful that you're reading FTO, I'd suggest that linking to copyrighted material would be more appropriate than a copy/paste operation.

Thanks for your courtesy and understanding,
Marc

Sorry Marc, It's fixed now and I thought I had the link in my orginal post. That's what I get for posting before the AM caffiene kicks in

 

[AdironRider]

Score!

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Whatever the motivation I applaude Taos for taking what I'm sure is somewhat of a risk due to the fact that there are still are way too many anti-rider skiers out there. Will there be a huge influx of riders which might tip what might be abit of a delicate balance for the first few years? Go riders, and enjoy, just not all at once. :wink:

Wow, it's a total whiteout outside right now.......

 

[dmc]

I'm thinking about going...
Whats it like in late march?

 

[sledhaulingmedic]

I'm thinking about going...
Whats it like in late march?

It varies alot. I was out there a couple years back and they had gotten slammed in March. I was also out there in Mid-March in 2002 and it was a little slim.

D, you will like it. You might want to bring a split to get out the Ridge and Highline to Kachina Peak.

Also Check out Pajarito and Ski Santa Fe.

Good for them. They had a few tough years and I'd like to see it stay family owed. It's a great place.

 

[snoseek]

Taos is maybe my new favorite area in the country (when the snow is good). I'm glad for the boarders and am not concerned about the terrain getting chewed because only the best riders and skiers will do the good stuff more than once. Ski a groomer at Taos and its filled with texans but the steep stuff is really mellow because there is so much of it. I only hope they don't get too big and start installing detachable chairs everywhere. I agree with above post referring to pajarito and ski santa fe. I really like ski santa fe a lot. I need to get down there, got 3 day passes to taos to burn.

 

[ski220]

D, you will like it. You might want to bring a split to get out the Ridge and Highline to Kachina Peak.

No need for a split at Taos. Katchina and the ridge are predominatly just a boot pack.

The conditions are ( from my experiance ) either feast or famine. Taos should really be on every skiers list. It's that good. When it's good. When it's not, it's a little slick. Every year several people die from sliding into trees. It's STEEP.

Of course I have mixed emotions about them allowing boards in. They've been hurting for awhile. It's a little off the radar for most vacationers. So I'm not surprised.

In no way can boarders ( and Burton ) claim a victory, it's simple economics. Alta, "Valet" and MRG will never have this problem.

on the other hand - we can schedual Taos into a southwest swing now because I ski with my knuckle dragging friend Ron.

 

[dmc]

I'm seriously thinking about booking a trip there..
I've always wanted to go... I promise to only add to the experience in a positive way..

Glad I can bootpack... Those chutes look sick!

 

[Bumpsis]

Taos is maybe my new favorite area in the country (when the snow is good). I'm glad for the boarders and am not concerned about the terrain getting chewed because only the best riders and skiers will do the good stuff more than once. Ski a groomer at Taos and its filled with texans but the steep stuff is really mellow because there is so much of it. QUOTE]

You make a good point about the fact that the steeps would be ridden mostly by expert boarders, thus less snow scraping. On the other hand, it only takes a few boarders trying to test their their mettle to take down a ton of snow in some of steep and narrow shutes.
Oh well, if it helps the area survive, let it be.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

Excellent news for the Knuckledraggers..next will be Alta and Mad River Glen..lol

 

[millerm277]

Looks like MRG found the poachers entertaining. http://www.madriverglen.com/gallery...q=2&imageSet=1197764404-47646f341883f&AddRel=