Taos Ski Valley's Season Pass has great value

With shorter days, cooling temperatures and the first signs of fall in our local mountains, excitement has begun to filter throughout the winter sports community. Anticipation of the coming season is palpable everywhere. Skiers in New Mexico know the facts: the snow last year was epic. Those who skied Taos Ski Valley got more than their fair share of untracked powder runs and blue skies. Even president Mickey Blake, who has skied Taos since its inception fifty years ago, recognized last season as something special. After one memorable bluebird day of skiing, he was overheard to say, "It doesn't get any better than this!"

This season marks Taos Ski Valley's 50th anniversary and better, not bigger, has always been its motto. What could be better than a great deal? Last year, plenty of the skiers gracing TSV's slopes were doing so on a Season Pass. This year, a season pass gives skiers even more value, with 12 bonus ski days at four participating Colorado resorts. Anyone who plans to ski the Southwest 18 days or more this season would be making a big mistake by not buying one.

EXTRA VALUE

Two seasons back, TSV got together with three southern Colorado ski areas and created an exchange program, allowing pass holders from participating mountains to ski three days at each other's resorts. Call it the Southern Rockies taster tray of skiing. This year, Copper Mountain has joined the ski alliance formed by Taos, Crested Butte, Durango Mountain Resort, and Telluride. Only four hours from Taos, Copper offers not just a different ski experience in terms of size and variety, but an extended season as well. Their projected dates of operations run from November 5 through April 16. That means an extra two weeks on either end of TSV's season for pass holders to plan a three-day visit to a different mountain.

New Mexico and Colorado skiers aren't the only ones to profit from the ski exchange. The greater Taos community will likely see increased business from visiting skiers enjoying local restaurants, shops, museums, and lodges. One driving reason behind the creation of the interstate exchange was the idea that once people discover all Taos has to offer, they'll keep coming back for more. "We consider it another way of introducing new people to the many facets of Taos County," says Mickey Blake.

GREAT DEAL

For the 2005 - 2006 season, prices are $900 per adult, $600 per child or $1900 for all the members of one family. This buys you daily access to Taos slopes, including holidays. That�s just about $7 a day to make TSV�s legendary ski runs your personal playground. With a projected opening day of November 24 and closing scheduled for April 2, that amounts to five months of ski weeks, day trips, or intense weekends to enjoy. If that just isn't enough, all Full Pass holders also receive: $5 off single Adult Ski School Group lessons; 15% off entrees, beer and wine at Rhoda's Restaurant; 10% off purchases at Taos Ski & Boot; $10 off ski demos from Taos Ski & Boot; $10 off full ski tunes at TSV repair shop (every 7th tune free); $150 flat rate Ski Week any time during the season; and free summer lift rides.

A skier would be hard-pressed to find a better winter offer than that available through Taos Ski Valley. You can purchase the pass by mail and pick it up the day you arrive to ski. One pass for five different ski areas (Taos Ski Valley plus 12 additional days at four Colorado resorts) is tempting in any light, and if this season's snowfall is anything like last year, it only makes sense to get a TSV pass this fall. More information and purchase forms are available on the Season Pass page of this website's Rates section, or call the main administrative offices at 505.776.2291.