Snowmaking Shifts Into High Gear at TSV

While Mother Nature has been less than generous in terms of natural snow at Taos Ski Valley so far this season, the snowmaking crews are doing all they can to ensure awesome skiing for rescheduled opening day of December 14th.

With the recent cold temperatures the crew, led by long time Taos Ski Valley employee Robert Quintana, has been able to make significant amounts of snow. Utilizing the Southwest�s largest snow making system made up of compressors, large pumps and more than 30,000 feet of pipe, Taos Ski Valley�s Snowmaking crew can make high quality snow from the top of mountain to the bottom, covering 100% of Taos� beginner and intermediate terrain.

With new technology and over 15 years of snowmaking experience, Taos Ski Valley�s expansive snowmaking system makes high quality snow. The crews have refined their techniques so they can make snow that is softer and less icy; more like the natural snow that falls in northern New Mexico
Snowmaking has become a common practice in the ski industry and allows resorts like Taos to offer good skiing even without lots of natural snow. During seasons with good natural snowfall snowmaking is still important because it creates a deep base that enhances the natural conditions. The key ingredients in snowmaking are air, water, and air temperatures below 28 degrees. In Taos, the high elevation (9207 ft) ensures cold temperatures through late fall and winter. When temperatures are cold enough Taos will operate the snow guns 24 hours a day to ensure good conditions. So while skiers are dreaming about skiing Taos, snowmakers are working to make that dream a reality.