TSV Kicks Off Season with Activities for Everyone

Taos Ski Valley will open for the 2001-2002 ski season on Friday, December 14th, and opening weekend will be packed with activities for everyone.

On Friday December 14th the Ernie Blake Ski School will kick off the season with the first ever Women�s Weekend and an Instructors Academy. The Women�s Weekend is Taos� famous Women�s Ski Week fit into just 3 days. The weekend will include five two-hour lessons, tech talks, video analysis and a stretch class. The cost of the weekend is just $289.00. The Ski School�s second event is the Instructors Academy, where for just $90 aspiring ski instructors learn what it takes, both technically and philosophically, to be a part of the world class Ernie Blake Ski School. For more information or reservations call the Ernie Blake Ski School at (505) 776-2291 ext. 1355.

For skiers looking to improve their skills on the race hill, Olympic gold medalist Deb Armstrong will conduct the Gold Medal Race Clinic on the 15th and 16th. Each day will consist of 4 hours of instruction in groups of seven or less. This camp is suited for skiers of intermediate level and above. The focus will be high-level skiing and race technique outside of the racecourse. For racing, the focus will be on slalom and giant slalom technique with a special emphasis on using shaped skis. For those interested in high-level skiing the focus will be on carving turns and the use of shaped skis.

For telemark enthusiasts Taos Mountain Outfitters and Mudd & Flood will sponsor Tele Demo Day all day on Sunday the 16th. Tele skiers can demo the newest equipment from Black Diamond, Scarpa, Atomic, K2, and Dynafit all for free. The day will end with the premiere of the ski movie �Laying it Down� by Tough Guy Productions at 6:00 pm at the Thunderbird Lodge.

For everyone from gold medal racers to telemark skiers, the 7th annual Brew Master�s Festival will take place on Saturday the 15th from 4-7 in the resort center. Admission is $15, which entitles festival goers to a commemorative tasting glass, food and beer from breweries like Taos� own Eske�s Brew Pub, festival regular The Breckenridge Brewery and newcomer Carver Hard Cider from Durango. Entertainment will be provided by the Cullen Winter�s Blues Band. It is sure to be the party of the season.

If you need more information about any of the activities or just general information about Taos Ski Valley, go to our web site at skitaos.org. With all the activities the season will be off to an awesome start, so plan now to come up and enjoy the weekend.