If this is your first time to Taos, New Mexico you’re in for quite a trip! The region of Taos is most known for its rich heritage, natural landscapes, and world-class skiing which brings over 1 million visitors every year. As a first-time visitor to both Taos Ski Valley and the state of New Mexico, there is so much to take in beyond the slopes. Here’s everything you need to know to ensure an epic trip – both on and off the mountain!
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14 Things For A First-Time Taos New Mexico Ski Trip
Be prepared for a first-time visit to Taos Ski Valley with these essential tips about the mountain, groceries, cell coverage, and must-do activities in the surrounding Taos area.
1 – Taos Ski Valley is 2 hours from the Santa Fe Municipal Airport
The drive from Santa Fe Airport to Taos Ski Valley is easy and quite beautiful. Highly recommend flying in or out during daylight hours to witness the landscape.
Because SAF is a very small airport (baggage claim is collected in an adjacent building to the terminal), rent a car in advance. While I was collecting our car from Hertz, others trying to rent were unsuccessful since they didn’t make a reservation. This is important while traveling to Taos during busy spring break weeks. Avis is the only other rental car company at SAF airport.
Rent an all-wheel or 4-wheel drive to manage snowstorms and icy conditions. During our trip a snowstorm hit and although Taos DOT cleared the roads quickly, navigating unplowed parking lots was tricky.
If you’re not considering a rental car, an Uber from Santa Fe to Taos Ski Valley is $200 one-way. If your hotel accommodations are at the ski resort and you don’t plan to leave the mountain during your stay, that will be fine. Otherwise, all other Taos activities and sightseeing beyond the ski resort require a vehicle.
If you have the time, on your way to Taos Ski Valley stop to see:
- Camel Rock – Located about 15 minutes from the airport and viewable from 285 highway.
- Rio Grande Gorge Visitor Center – Located on State Rd 68, near Orilla Verde Recreation Area. There are areas along the side of the road to pull off and view the Rio Grande, including Sleeping Beauty. Sleeping Beauty is a standing wave in a section of the Rio Grande that offers conditions during certain times of the year for surfing.
2 – Book The Blake or reserve early on AirBNB or VRBO
Make hotel reservations as early as possible for Taos Ski Valley. All restaurants and most hotels for Taos Ski Valley are located in the ski village. There are a few other hotel accommodations nearby but it’s limited.
The Blake is the most idyllic place to stay, conveniently located at the base of the mountain. If we go back, this is where we’d stay!
While our VRBO was convenient to the mountain, it lacked the amenities a ski village offers and limited our dining options. (No one wants to drive anywhere after an entire day of skiing and no restaurants are walkable if you’re not staying at the ski resort.)
The Blake takes center stage in Taos Ski Village
3 – Taos Ski Valley is 51% expert trails
If this is your first time skiing, your first impression of Lift 1 from the base will be overwhelming. As a seasoned intermediate skier, I was immediately stunned by the black Al’s Run along Lift 1. Not only is it steep, but it’s also covered with moguls!
Compared to other ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains, such as Breckenridge and Park City, green ski trails feel more like blue.
While Taos Ski Valley might not be the easiest mountain to learn on, it might be exactly what you’re looking for if an abundance of blacks with moguls is on your bucket list!
For a girl who prefers blue runs over everything else, Taos has plenty to offer. Bambi and Mama Bear blue runs are my favorite.
First impression of Taos Ski Valley, including the après-ski hot spot
4 – Snow can be hit or miss in March but still good
You might be driving for almost the full 2 hours from Santa Fe before you even see a snowflake. This can be worrisome on approach to the mountain.
But do not fear!
Despite snowfall at Taos Ski Valley being historically a mixed bag from one month to the next, there was plenty of snow for the majority of trails and lifts to be open in March 2025.
During our ski trip in March, temperatures ranged from 42 F bluebird days to -11 F blizzard conditions within 5 days. Sections of the slopes went from decently groomed to slush to powder and ice, but everyone had a blast despite the bipolar conditions.
Bottom line, if you don’t see snow as you get closer to the mountain, don’t worry. There will be snow to ski. And it will be amazing.
There wasn’t a stitch of snow anywhere in Taos until we got on the slopes! March 2025
5 – The chair lifts are slow and open to the elements
If you’re looking for speed or heated chair lifts, you won’t (easily) find either at Taos Ski Valley.
All chair lifts are exposed and seat 2-4 people depending on the lift. While this might be perfect on a decent sunny day, the colder windy days can feel a bit brutal.
While the chair lifts were a much-discussed topic amongst our friends during our trip because of the freezing winds ripping against our faces on blizzard days, the bluebird sunny days made up for it.
Taos Ski Resort does report to have 2 high-speed quads, but for our group of 12 that skied across most of the mountain, none of us could find one…or perhaps we did but didn’t feel high speed.
On the bright side, there aren’t any toe-ropes! A gondola that connects the main base with Kachina Basin is also in the works.
Because the lifts are so nostalgic at this ski resort, you can find beautiful glass chairlift ornaments in the gift shop.
Snowy view from Chair Lift 4 from The Bavarian
6 – Apres-ski is quite good
As soon as you’re done on the mountain for the day, apres-ski options await at the bottom of Lift #1. For as niche a ski resort and mountain as Taos, the apres-ski options are quite good and super convenient if your legs are done for the day.
- Grab an Adirondack chair by the fire watching skiers cascade to the base as the day comes to an end.
- Martini Tree Bar – The second-floor deck offers ample seating and perfect mountain views.
- Rhoda’s has patio seating, an outdoor bar, and “the ski” for team shots if you dare.
Some apres-ski restaurants close at 5 so factor that into evening and dining plans.
The patio is where it’s at, but check out this colorful ski bar at Martini Tree Bar
7 – Cid’s Mountain Market is the only grocery store at Taos Ski Valley
If you plan to make meals during your ski vacation, the only convenient grocery store is Cid’s Mountain Market located in The Blake Residences.
While Cid’s is an excellent resource for a meal or two, it’s like a mini Whole Foods with grab-and-go options. I would not recommend Cid’s Mountain Market for a mass grocery haul, but it’s perfect if you’re in a pinch and don’t want to drive 30 minutes to the closest grocery store in Taos.
8 – Prepare for no or limited cell phone coverage
From Santa Fe to Taos Ski Valley, cell phone coverage is limited. Some aspects of the drive and on the mountain are 100% SOS.
Make sure to download maps. Have an idea of where you’re going before you drive.
Additionally, some networks offer little coverage at the ski resort. While Verizon was consistent with data, T-Mobile was SOS. Make a plan with your party before you set off on the mountain for the day since it can be hard to communicate otherwise.
9 – Have lunch at The Bavarian – every day!
You can transport yourself to the European Alps while dining at the majestic Bavarian.
The Bavarian is the perfect alpine lodge-style restaurant amidst New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo mountains. Navigating from Lift 1 to Lift 4 is worth it just for lunch. The food is delicious – get the schnitzel.
Our daily meet-ups at The Bavarian is a trip highlight!
On Friday and Saturday nights, you can book a snowcat-powered sleigh ride from the base of Chair 1 to The Bavarian. Book ahead to secure spots!
Be sure to look up at the ceilings when you dine inside at The Bavarian
10 – Dine at ACEQ
I want to go back to Taos Ski Valley just to eat at ACEQ!
ACEQ is located less than 15 minutes from the ski resort, and nestled within the little art colony of Arroyo Seco where the speed limit is 10 mph. Blink and you might miss it!
Hands down the most amazing meal and dining experience of the week! Get the homemade butternut squash gnocchi and their signature The Figgy Bee cocktail.
Local dishes & signature cocktails at ACEQ – a MUST near Taos Ski area!
11 – Taos Pueblo is closed for 8 weeks in the winter
If Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is on your list of things to do on a grace day from skiing beware that they close for 8 weeks every winter.
In 2025, Taos Pueblo plans to reopen on April 1st.
12 – Stop at The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge
The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, or “bridge to nowhere”, is 30 minutes from Taos Ski Valley and only 15 minutes west of the intersection at 150 and 522.
Fun facts about The Rio Grande Gorge Bridge:
- It’s the 2nd highest bridge on the US Hwy system
- Rises 650′ above Rio Grande River
- As seen in Natural Born Killers
Visiting the bridge and walking the West Rim Trail is a highlight. Local artists set up stations in the parking lot at the Rio Grande Gorge Rest Area. This is the perfect off-mountain thing to do on a ski grace day, on your way to the mountain, or even back to the airport.
Access the West Rim Trail from the visitor parking lot for this view
13 – Go shopping, visit a gallery & eat local in the historic Taos Plaza
The historic Taos Plaza is 30 minutes from Taos Ski Valley. The area boasts more than 65 galleries, shops and restaurants. 5 of Taos’ 7 museums are within a five-block walking area from Taos Plaza. For an afternoon exploring, stop at these stand-out places:
- Eat lunch at Manzanita Market. Check out the art-to-go vending machine.
- Splurge on a cup of mousse at Chokola – the best invention ever!
- Stroll the full Taos Plaza loop and square.
- Find an authentic hand-crafted piece of jewelry made by local Taos artists, including Native American crafts, at Taos Sliver Co. During my visit, 25 arrows made by a local Native American were dropped off at the shop in the morning, and by 2pm only 7 were left.
For a convenient coffee shop with easy parking, excellent service, the best vanilla latte, and free Wi-Fi, go to Elevation Coffee.
My new favorite way to eat chocolate!
14 – See the Miraculous Staircase at The Loretto Chapel in Santa Fe
For a glimpse of Santa Fe, add The Loretta Chapel to your trip on the last day of your Taos New Mexico trip as you make your way to the airport. It’s an additional 20 minutes beyond the Santa Fe airport when driving from Taos. You only need 5-10 minutes to see the Miraculous Staircase located inside the small 1878 Gothic-Revival-style chapel.
The Miraculous Staircase features two unsupported 360-degree turns built between 1877 and 1881 by a mysterious carpenter believed to be St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of Carpenters. He disappeared before the Sisters of Loretto could pay him. The spiral staircase remains a mystery and a draw for first-time Santa Fe visitors.
If you have more time, explore the Santa Fe Plaza, go to the rooftop bar at La Fonda, and visit one of the many galleries, such as the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum.
This mysterious staircase has no visible sign of a nail and completely unsupported
Final Tips For An Epic Ski Trip
Use this checklist of things to do for your time on the slopes and days you want a ski break. Restaurants and activities are organized by driving time from Taos Ski Valley.
A small regional airport (TSM/SKX) is 15 miles from Taos Ski Resort. If JSX Airlines is an option from your departure city, this is a convenient choice for traveling to Taos. JSX Airlines only offers flights from Texas, Colorado, and California, but it does allow dogs.
For complimentary ski trips to Taos in Europe, consider Seefeld in Tyrol, La Clusaz, or the Dolomites!