Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico

Last updated
Taos Ski Valley
Village
Taos Ski Valley.JPG
Taos Ski Valley from Wheeler Peak
Taos County New Mexico Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Taos Ski Valley Highlighted.svg
Location of Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Usa edcp relief location map.png
Red pog.svg
Taos Ski Valley
Location in the United States
USA New Mexico relief location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Taos Ski Valley
Location in New Mexico
Coordinates: 36°35′24″N105°26′13″W / 36.59000°N 105.43694°W / 36.59000; -105.43694
Country United States
State New Mexico
County Taos
Government
 • TypeElected city council
 • Mayor Pro-temTom Wittman[ citation needed ]
 • Village AdministratorJohn Avila[ citation needed ]
Area
[1]
 • Total2.85 sq mi (7.39 km2)
 • Land2.85 sq mi (7.39 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
[2]
10,827 ft (3,300 m)
Population
 (2020) [3]
 • Total77
 • Density27.00/sq mi (10.42/km2)
Time zone UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code
87525
Area code 575
FIPS code 35-76480
GNIS feature ID2413591 [2]
Website https://taosskivalley.com/ and https://www.skitaos.com/
Vertical  3,281 feet (1,000 m)
Top elevation12,481 feet (3,804 m)
Base elevation  9,200 feet (2,804 m)
Skiable area1,294 acres (5.24 km2)
Trails 110 total
Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg - 24% beginner
Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg - 25% intermediate
Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg - 51% advanced
Lift system 14 lifts:
1 gondola lift,
1 double lift,
4 triple lifts,
4 quad lifts,
4 surface lifts
Terrain parks 2
Snowfall 300 inches (25.0 ft; 7.6 m)

Taos Ski Valley is a village and alpine ski resort in the southwestern United States, located in Taos County, New Mexico. The population was 69 at the 2010 census. Until March 19, 2008, it was one of four ski resorts in America to prohibit snowboarding. [4] [5] The Kachina lift, constructed in 2014, serves one of the highest elevations of any triple chair in North America, to a peak of 12,481 feet (3,804 m) above sea level.[ citation needed ]

Contents

History

In the 1800s, present-day Taos Ski Valley was the site of a small copper mining town called Twining, New Mexico, which was later abandoned. In 1955, Ernie and Rhoda Blake founded the area as a ski mountain. [6] [7]

The first ski lift, a J-bar, was installed in 1956. Until 1957, the ski resort featured only one ski slope, Snakedance. In 1957, the resort installed a second lift—a Poma (platter) lift. [8]

The Blakes lived in an eleven-foot camper in the absence of any buildings in the area except the almost-completed Hondo Lodge (now Snakedance Condominiums). Even after moving into the lodge, they lived without power until 1963. Ernie and Rhoda had been living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Ernie managed the Santa Fe Ski Basin. Ernie was for a time involved in the day-to-day management of the Taos resort, answering the phone and telling prospective visitors whether the skiing was expected to be good in advance of weekend trips. The village was incorporated in 1996.[ citation needed ]

In 2006, Taos Ski Valley had 110 trails with 24% Ski trail rating symbol-green circle.svg beginner, 25% Ski trail rating symbol-blue square.svg intermediate, and 51% Ski trail rating symbol-black diamond.svg advanced/expert. It was home to the Ernie Blake Snowsports School, one of the highest rated ski schools in North America. [9]

In December 2013, the Blake family sold Taos Ski Valley, Inc. to billionaire conservationist Louis Bacon. [10] [11]

In 2018, Taos Ski Valley started Taos Air, a virtual airline which operated scheduled public air charter service at Taos Regional Airport during ski season. [12] [13] Summer flights were added in 2021. [14] Taos Air ceased using its own brand identity in December 2022 when flight operations were transferred to JSX, and it effectively terminated operations permanently in April 2024 when Taos Ski Valley allowed its airline service contract with the town of Taos to expire. [15]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2), all land.

Taos Ski Valley is one of the highest municipalities in the US, [16] sited at an elevation of 9,321 feet (2,841 m); however, the village limits reach 12,581 feet (3,835 m) and the highest residential dwelling is at 10,350 feet (3,155 m). Kachina Village, also at over 10,350 feet, houses Bavarian Restaurant and two condo complexes and accommodates six permanent residents and visitors in 30 condo units; 70–80 home sites are planned for development. Wheeler Peak, the tallest mountain in New Mexico at 13,161 feet (4,011 m), overlooks the village.

The village is completely surrounded by Carson National Forest, including bordering designated wilderness.

Climate

Taos Ski Valley receives around 300 inches (760 cm) a year. [17] Taos Powderhorn is a SNOTEL weather station situated in the Taos Valley ski resort, near Kachina peak, at an elevation of 11,057 feet (3,370 m). Taos Powderhorn has a subalpine climate (Köppen Dfc).

Climate data for Taos Powderhorn, New Mexico, 2011–2020 normals: 11,057 ft (3,370 m)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)28.9
(−1.7)		29.4
(−1.4)		37.2
(2.9)		42.1
(5.6)		50.0
(10.0)		63.5
(17.5)		64.6
(18.1)		62.4
(16.9)		56.6
(13.7)		46.1
(7.8)		36.2
(2.3)		28.5
(−1.9)		45.5
(7.5)
Daily mean °F (°C)22.5
(−5.3)		22.7
(−5.2)		29.6
(−1.3)		34.3
(1.3)		41.7
(5.4)		54.2
(12.3)		56.1
(13.4)		54.4
(12.4)		49.2
(9.6)		39.5
(4.2)		29.9
(−1.2)		22.3
(−5.4)		38.0
(3.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)16.1
(−8.8)		16.0
(−8.9)		22.0
(−5.6)		26.5
(−3.1)		33.4
(0.8)		44.9
(7.2)		47.7
(8.7)		46.4
(8.0)		41.8
(5.4)		32.9
(0.5)		23.7
(−4.6)		16.2
(−8.8)		30.6
(−0.8)
Average precipitation inches (mm)3.09
(78)		3.78
(96)		4.07
(103)		4.10
(104)		2.28
(58)		0.82
(21)		2.85
(72)		3.09
(78)		3.36
(85)		3.74
(95)		3.22
(82)		3.81
(97)		38.21
(969)
Average snowfall inches (cm)56.0
(142)		73.6
(187)		68.8
(175)		12.8
(33)		6.3
(16)		0.9
(2.3)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		0.0
(0.0)		7.0
(18)		22.2
(56)		60.8
(154)		308.4
(783.3)
Source 1: XMACIS2 [18]
Source 2: NOAA (Precipitation) [19]

Economy

Tourism is the village's main industry. As of the 2011–2012 season Taos Ski Valley Corporation employed approximately 700 people during winter months. In an average year $47 million are spent in the local economy of Taos Ski Valley. About $12 million is from ski operations alone. The community is a popular summer and fall vacation destination.[ citation needed ] In 2005, 55 businesses operated in Taos Ski Valley. Lodging options include hotels, private home rentals, condominiums and alpine styled bed and breakfasts. The town of Taos, located 30 minutes drive down the canyon, provides year-round services.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
2000 56—
2010 6923.2%
2020 7711.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [20] [3]

As of the 2010 census, [21] the Village held 69 people and 272 housing units, with only 14.3% occupied. From 2000 to 2010 population increased 23.2%. The population density was 28.75 inhabitants per square mile (11.10/km2). The racial makeup was 75.4% White and 24.6% Hispanic or Latino.

In 2000, 12.5% of 32 households had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, while 59.4% were non-families. 46.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.75 and the average family size was 2.46.

Only 4.3% were under age 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 33.9% from 25 to 44, 50.0% from 45 to 64, and 1.8% who were 65 years or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 166.7 males. The ratio of males to females was 1.66.

The median household income was $67,708, and the median income for a family was $103,422. Males had a median income of $65,833 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $43,143. None of the population were below the poverty line.

Education

Almost all of the CDP is within Taos Municipal Schools, with a very small remainder in Questa Independent Schools. [22] The former operates Taos High School.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Telluride, Colorado</span> Town in Colorado, United States

Telluride is the county seat and most populous town of San Miguel County in the southwestern portion of the U.S. state of Colorado. The town is a former silver mining camp on the San Miguel River in the western San Juan Mountains. The first gold mining claim was made in the mountains above Telluride in 1875, and early settlement of what is now Telluride followed. The town was founded in 1878.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taos, New Mexico</span> City in New Mexico, United States

Taos is a town in Taos County, in the north-central region of New Mexico in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Initially founded in 1615, it was intermittently occupied until its formal establishment in 1795 by Nuevo México Governor Fernando Chacón to act as fortified plaza and trading outpost for the neighboring Native American Taos Pueblo and Hispano communities, including Ranchos de Taos, Cañon, Taos Canyon, Ranchitos, El Prado, and Arroyo Seco. The town was incorporated in 1934. As of the 2021, its population was 6,567.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Watauga County, North Carolina</span> County in North Carolina, United States

Watauga County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 54,086. Its county seat and largest community is Boone. The county is in an exceptionally mountainous region, known as the High Country. It is the home of Appalachian State University, which has approximately 21,570 students as of Fall 2024. Watauga County comprises the Boone, NC Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taos County, New Mexico</span> County in New Mexico, United States

Taos County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,489. Its county seat is Taos. The county was formed in 1852 as one of the original nine counties in New Mexico Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mora County, New Mexico</span> County in New Mexico, United States

Mora County is a county in the U.S. state of New Mexico. As of the 2020 census, the population was 4,189. Its county seat is the census-designated place (CDP) Mora. The county has another CDP, Watrous, a village, Wagon Mound, and 12 smaller unincorporated settlements. Mora became a formal county in the US, in what was then the New Mexico Territory, on February 1, 1860. Ecclesiastically, the county is within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Santa Fe. County population peaked at approximately 14,000 circa 1920, declining to about 4,000 to 5,000 since the 1970s; the 2018 estimate was 4,506.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vail, Colorado</span> Town in Colorado, United States

Vail is a home rule municipality in Eagle County, Colorado, United States. The population of the town was 4,835 in 2020. Home to Vail Ski Resort, the largest ski mountain in Colorado, the town is known for its hotels, dining, and for the numerous events the city hosts annually, such as the Vail Film Festival, Vail Resorts Snow Days, and Bravo! Vail.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crested Butte, Colorado</span> Town in Colorado, United States

Crested Butte is a home rule municipality located in Gunnison County, Colorado, United States. The town population was 1,639 at the 2020 United States Census. A former coal mining town nestled in the Slate River Valley, Crested Butte is now known as a destination for skiing, mountain biking, and outdoor activities.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sky Valley, Georgia</span> City in Georgia, United States

Sky Valley is a city in Rabun County, Georgia, United States and is nestled in a mountain valley on the northwest slopes of Rabun Bald, Georgia's second-highest peak. Incorporated in March 1978, it recorded a total population of 250 as of the 2000 U.S. census, and 482 as of 2020. Sky Valley shares ZIP code 30537 with nearby Dillard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kellogg, Idaho</span> City in Idaho, United States

Kellogg is a city in the Silver Valley of Shoshone County, Idaho, United States, in the Idaho Panhandle region. The city lies near the Coeur d'Alene National Forest and about 36 miles (58 km) east-southeast of Coeur d'Alene along Interstate 90. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 2,120, down by a third from its population in 1980.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">McCall, Idaho</span> City in Idaho, United States

McCall is a resort town on the western edge of Valley County, Idaho, United States. Named after its founder, Tom McCall, it is situated on the southern shore of Payette Lake, near the center of the Payette National Forest. The population was 2,991 as of the 2010 census, up from 2,084 in 2000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterville Valley, New Hampshire</span> Town in New Hampshire, United States

Waterville Valley is a New England town in Grafton County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 508 at the 2020 census, up from 247 at the 2010 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angel Fire, New Mexico</span> Village in New Mexico, United States

Angel Fire is a village in Colfax County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 1,192 at the 2020 census. Angel Fire Resort is a popular skiing and snowboarding destination, with over 500 acres (2.0 km2) of slopes. Angel Fire and nearby communities experience cold winter temperatures and mild temperatures in the summer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruidoso, New Mexico</span> City in New Mexico, United States

Ruidoso is a village in Lincoln County, New Mexico, United States, adjacent to the Lincoln National Forest. The population was 7,679 at the 2020 census. The city of Ruidoso Downs and the unincorporated area of Alto are suburbs of Ruidoso, and contribute to the Ruidoso Micropolitan Statistical Area's population of 21,223.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ranchos de Taos, New Mexico</span> Census-designated place in Taos County, New Mexico, United States

Ranchos de Taos is a census-designated place (CDP) in Taos County, New Mexico. The population was 2,390 at the time of the 2000 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red River, New Mexico</span> Town in New Mexico, United States

Red River is a resort town in Taos County, New Mexico, US in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The population was 542 at the 2020 census. Red River is on the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway, and is 36 miles (58 km) from Taos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Archbald, Pennsylvania</span> Borough in Pennsylvania, United States

Archbald is a borough in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is part of Northeastern Pennsylvania and is named for James Archbald, the first mayor of Carbondale, Pennsylvania. Before being renamed in Archbald's honor, the name of the settlement was White Oak Run. Most of the original settlers were Irish Catholics, fleeing the Great Famine. The population was 7,348 at the 2021 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellicottville (village), New York</span> Village in New York, United States

Ellicottville is a village in Cattaraugus County, New York, United States. The population was 284 at the 2020 census. The village is named after Joseph Ellicott, principal land agent of the Holland Land Company. It lies in the southwest part of the town of Ellicottville and is north of the city of Salamanca.

Angel Fire Resort is an alpine ski resort in Angel Fire, New Mexico, United States. The resort opened in 1966 and offers both winter and summer activities.

Ernie Blake, originally Ernst Hermann Bloch, was the German-American founder, together with his wife Rhoda, of Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. He was born in Germany, grew up in Switzerland and went to university in Germany and Switzerland before emigrating to the US in 1938. He worked for US military intelligence during World War II, when he assisted in the interrogation of the leading Nazis Hermann Göring and Albert Speer. His code name was Ernie Blake, and after the war, he chose it as his real name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ski Santa Fe</span> Ski resort in New Mexico, United States

Ski Santa Fe or Santa Fe Ski Basin is a medium-sized ski resort located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in Santa Fe County, New Mexico, United States, 16 miles east of the state capital of Santa Fe. It includes 8 lifts and 88 runs at elevations of over 10,000 feet (3,000 m). It is the southernmost major ski resort of the Rocky Mountains, and one of the oldest and highest in the nation.

References

  1. ↑ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
  2. 1 2 U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
  3. 1 2 "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved Oct 12, 2022.
  4. ↑ "SkiTaos (official website)".
  5. ↑ "Taos Ski Valley Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Center (official website)" . Retrieved 2007-12-13.
  6. ↑ Gordon, Paul (October 1966). "Taos: the kingdom of Blake". Skiing. p. 82.
  7. ↑ "I abolished lift lines!". Skiing. (advertisement). October 1966. p. 44.
  8. ↑ Archived February 17, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
  9. ↑ New Mexico Magazine, October 2006, Volume 84, Number 10
  10. ↑ Jason BlevinsThe Denver Post. "Blakes sell Taos Ski Valley to billionaire conservationist Louis Bacon". The Denver Post. Retrieved 2014-02-25.
  11. ↑ Rohwedder, Cecilie (April 24, 2014). "Louis Bacon Tries to Turn Around Taos Ski Valley". WSJ. Retrieved 25 November 2015.
  12. ↑ Moya, Jesse (19 December 2018). "New charter flight service for Texas skiers generates buzz". taosnews.com. The Taos News . Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  13. ↑ Moya, Jesse (24 January 2019). "Taos Council OKs liquor license, property transfer and revises Taos Air". taosnews.com. The Taos News . Retrieved 25 April 2019.
  14. ↑ Clark, Carol A. (6 May 2021). "Taos Air Restarts Service To Texas And California". Los Alamos Daily Post. Los Alamos, New Mexico. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  15. ↑ Plant, Geoffrey (7 February 2024). "Taos Ski Valley passes baton on air service". Taos, New Mexico: The Taos News . Retrieved 13 July 2024.
  16. ↑ "About Taos Ski Valley". Taos Ski Valley Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved 2012-02-29.
  17. ↑ "Taos Ski Valley Statistics". Ski Taos. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  18. ↑ "xmACIS2". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Taos Powderhorn, New Mexico 1991-2020 Monthly Normals" . Retrieved November 11, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  21. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  22. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Taos County, NM" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved 2022-07-12.

Further reading

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.