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. The Kachina lift, constructed in 2014, serves one of the highest elevations of any triple chair in North America, to a peak of 12481 ft above sea level.

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. 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. 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. In 2006, Taos Ski Valley had 110 trails with 24% beginner, 25% intermediate, and 51% advanced/expert. It was home to the Ernie Blake Snowsports School, one of the highest rated ski schools in North America. In December 2013, the Blake family sold Taos Ski Valley, Inc. to billionaire conservationist Louis Bacon. 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. Summer flights were added in 2021. 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.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 2.4 sqmi, all land. Taos Ski Valley is one of the highest municipalities in the US, sited at an elevation of 9321 ft; however, the village limits reach 12581 ft and the highest residential dwelling is at 10350 ft. 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 13161 ft, overlooks the village. The village is completely surrounded by Carson National Forest, including bordering designated wilderness.

Climate

Taos Ski Valley receives around 300 in a year. Taos Powderhorn is a SNOTEL weather station situated in the Taos Valley ski resort, near Kachina peak, at an elevation of 11057 ft. Taos Powderhorn has a subalpine climate (Köppen Dfc).

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. 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

As of the 2010 census, 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 PD/sqmi. 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. The former operates Taos High School.