Taos, New Mexico – Escape Winter or Embrace It in Taos
NM – Are you looking for a snow-filled winter or one that’s slightly warmer and drier? If you don’t know the answer to that question, you may want to book your next stay in Taos, New Mexico. Taos is a place where towering mountains meet high desert skies, which gives vacationers a chance to either bask in sunny winter days or dive into a snowy adventure. Let’s take a look at what makes this historic southwestern town such an amazing relaxation destination for snow lovers and high desert lovers.
Flying into Taos to Start Your Desert Mountain Vacation
Taos Regional Airport (SKX) is your gateway into the “soul of New Mexico.” The airport was activated in 1967. It’s a public-use airport that sits at an elevation of 7,094 feet above sea level. It does not have a control tower, and the CTAF is 122.8. Runway 13/31 is 8,600 feet long and 100 feet wide. Runway 04/22 is 5,504 feet long and 75 feet wide. The airport has 100LL and Jet-A1+ available. Minor airframe and powerplant maintenance is available, and there are hangars and tiedowns available. It’s also worth noting that the airport is served by two charter carriers, including Contour Airlines and JSX. Both charter airlines offer scheduled flight service to and from Taos. The FBO is Taos Aviation. They offer rental cars, heated hangars, ramp space, GPUs, lavatory servicing, and deicing types I and IV.
Escape Harsh Winters in Historic Taos
Taos sits in the high desert, which means winter in town is milder than in the surrounding mountains. Daytime highs typically reach the upper 30s to low 60s °F, while nights can dip into the teens. It’s important to note that snow does fall in town, but it rarely sticks for long unless a major storm rolls through. This makes Taos an ideal destination for travelers seeking crisp, clear winter days without the full bite of alpine cold found farther north or higher up in the mountains. That said, long pants, jackets, and warm layers are still essential, even in town.
Taos Plaza
One of the most unique features of Taos, New Mexico, is Taos Plaza. The plaza was built in 1796 for defense, and the original plaza contained fortified walls that could protect the newly established community from hostile invaders. Due to several past fires, most of the buildings were actually built in the 1930s. However, the plaza remains an important historical site. Today, it’s primarily full of shops and restaurants, including craft stores, clothing boutiques, and art galleries. A few popular art galleries include the Ed Sandoval Gallery, Morel Studio, and Sage Fine Arts.
If you’re looking for unique shopping experiences, look no further than Monet’s Kitchen, Casa Cristal Pottery, and Taos Gems and Minerals. If you’re searching for local Taos jewelry, you’ll enjoy a trip to At Home in Taos, Jacqueline Gala Jewelry, or Larry Martinez Jewelry. The truth is that Taos offers plenty of unique jewelry pieces, including authentic Native American jewelry and southwest-inspired jewelry.
The Museums of Taos
Taos has a rich history that can be explored via its many museums. The oldest museum is the Kit Carson House and Museum. The Kit Carson House was built sometime around 1825, and it’s located a single block from the historic Taos Plaza. The Adobe home is known for its two-foot-thick walls and original courtyard.
Another amazing museum is the Taos Art Museum at Fechin House. This museum is a wonderful blend of unique architecture, history, and art. Their current exhibitions include Sacred Spaces: Miniature Sculptures by Roberto Cardinale, Nicolai Fechin: Figures, Nature, and Expression, and Taos Reimagined: Modernist Experiments in the High Desert.
Taos Pueblo
The Taos Pueblo has been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years. It is a living Native American community, and the homes are still occupied by residents today. The community is revered for its Native American heritage and adobe architecture. Guided tours are available. It’s worth noting that there is an admission fee into the community and rules all visitors must follow in order to ensure the privacy of the families that reside there.
Embrace Winter at Taos Ski Valley
If you’re interested in a ski vacation, you may want to visit one of the many ski resorts in the mountains. One of the most famous ski resorts is Taos Ski Valley. This area got its start in the 1950s when Ernie Blake, a Swiss skier, spotted the mountain during his aerial commute in his Cessna 170 from the Santa Fe Ski Basin to the Glenwood Ski Area. Soon after, Ernie, his wife, and their children relocated to the mountain to build their ideal ski resort. Their first ski run was what is now known as the Snakedance.
Taos Ski Valley is popular with beginner and expert skiers because it gets about 300 inches of snow each year. The base elevation is 9,350 feet, and the summit elevation is 12,481 feet. The resort encompasses 1,294 acres, and February is often considered one of the best months to go skiing on the mountain. However, the ski season typically runs from November through March. There are 110 trails. Approximately 24 percent of the trails are designed for beginners, 25 percent are perfect for intermediate skiers, and 51 percent have been designed for expert skiers.
Ski Valley Ski Offerings
The mountain is equipped with 13 total lifts, including one gondola, two high-speed quad lifts, two fixed-grip quad lifts, four triple lifts, three surface lifts, and a single double lift. The resort has an uphill capacity of 15,000 skiers per hour, and 100 percent of the beginner and intermediate trails have snowmakers.
The resort offers ski tickets, season passes, ski lessons, and childcare. If you need to rent ski equipment, you can find the rental shop near Lift 1. The rental shop rents skis, snowboards, safety equipment, and winter gear for children and adults. If you own your equipment, the rental shop also offers repairs, including base welds and repair work, boot binding adjustments, torque tests, snowboard tune-ups, waxing, and deburring. No appointment is needed for repair services.
Eis Haus Skating Rink
The Eis Haus skating rink is open daily for children and adults. For those who wish to take a break or simply enjoy others skating, the rink has plenty of seating and outdoor fireplaces. The rink can also be rented in 60-minute increments for ice bocce.
Snowcat Tours
If you feel like taking a tour of the mountain, they also offer Snowcat tours. These tours last two hours and offer a unique viewing experience of the mountain. The tour includes scenic stops and opportunities to take pictures.
Taos, New Mexico Lodging
There are plenty of places to stay in Taos and on the mountain. If you’re looking to stay in Taos, you might check out the El Pueblo Lodge or the Touchstone Inn. If you want to stay on the mountain, you might take a look at The Blake.
El Pueblo Lodge
The El Pueblo Lodge is located within walking distance of the Taos Plaza. They offer free continental breakfasts and afternoon cookies. The adobe buildings were built in the 20th century. Guests can choose from rooms with a single queen, two queens, two queens with a fireplace, a casita king, and a king with a fireplace. Amenities include WiFi, ski and snowboard rentals, horseshoe pits, barbecues, a hot tub, and an outdoor pool.
Touchstone Inn
The Touchstone Inn is a boutique hotel where every room is slightly different. The inn has 10 rooms, and each one has its own special amenities. Depending on the room, it may have a fireplace, soaking tub, or multiple rooms.
The Blake
The Blake is located at Taos Ski Valley. It’s within walking or skiing distance of Lift 1 and contains 115 rooms. Guests can choose to stay in standard hotel rooms, suites, penthouses, or residences. The penthouses can be found on the fifth floor of the hotel and can have between two and four bedrooms. In addition to being close to Lift 1, these rooms are also close to shopping and dining.
The Residences are located in a separate building from The Blake. However, they are still close to shopping, dining, and Lift 1. These spacious accommodations are fully furnished and include kitchens, living rooms, and between one and three bedrooms.
Whether you’re looking for milder winter temperatures or eager to find adventure skiing down mountains, you’ll find it in Taos. The area is known for its Native American heritage, local art, and historic adobe buildings. It’s sure to be fun for everyone in your family.