Let it snow
Regional ski areas prep for possible above normal snowfall
As has been the case for several years now, Taos Ski Valley headlines the list of local ski areas adding to the wintertime amenities.
This year, Taos is bringing online a high-speed quad chairlift that will quickly transport skiers and riders from the main base area up the mountain in just over five minutes, says TSV CEO David Norden.
“Everything we do is about improving the guest experience while preserving the underlying spirit, soul and history of the mountain,” he says.
And it could get good use this season. According to the long-range winter outlook from onthesnow.com, northern New Mexico should see a 120 percent wetter than normal winter while southern Colorado should be right about 100 percent of normal.
“The dominant jet stream pattern favors a warmer than normal west and colder than normal east,” according to onthesnow.com meteorologist Chris Tomer. “Warmer than normal temperatures in the west could force snow levels to run higher than normal at the beginning and end of the ski
season. The result is rain or rain/snow mix at some lower elevation ski areas. A mid-winter rain is also possible.
“Considering all these variables,” Tomer says, “the ski areas in best position for cooler temps and consistent snowfall include certain parts of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico.”
The new lift at Taos Ski Valley is an important addition, Norden says.
“It will go at a much faster pace and it replaces a couple of older lifts that are being pulled out. It creates a nice, big open space. High speed lifts don’t have to shut down for children. It moves very, very slowly around the terminal area so it’s a very easy-on, easy off lift.”
More improvements
In addition, Taos Ski Valley has added $750,000 worth of improvements to its snow-making capabilities, giving it greater range to reach more trails earlier in the season. The equipment includes new pumps, 30 new tower guns and 50 new hydrants.
“We’ll be able to put more water on the mountain and extend snow making on trails that we didn’t have it on before,” Norden says.
Taos also has completed a makeover of the beginners’ ski area to coincide with the renovation of the children’s areas last year.
“All of the ski terrain in the beginning area has been re-contoured to what we call the perfect progression,” Norden says. “It progresses from very flat to 5 percent, then 10 percent gradient, all the gradients that allow you to graduate from this area to move up on the bigger mountain.”
It’s part of an ongoing, $300 million investment designed to increase TSV’s appeal, he says.
“Taos has always been known as very steep and challenging, one for the hard-core skiers and that has not changed,” Norden says. “We still have that very challenging, very attractive terrain. But with the Blake (hotel) and the new children’s center and beginners’ area, we now have the facilities and amenities and learning terrain for the family skier and people who are just getting into the sport.”
Ready to ride
A big addition to the mountain at Purgatory Resort near Durango was actually unveiled this summer and will get a full workout this winter, as well.
Purgatory’s Inferno Mountain Coaster is located just north of the Twilight Lift 4 in the base area. The Inferno is 4,000 feet long with a 300-foot vertical drop. The ride includes nine switchbacks and one 360-degree loop. Individual carts can go as fast as 25 miles per hour and the track rises up to as high as 40 feet in the air in some areas.
“The new Inferno Mountain Coaster is an absolute blast to ride,” says Elizabeth Howe, general manager of Purgatory Resort. “This thrilling new ride zips you through aspen trees with twists and turns revealing incredible views of the San Juan Mountains.”
The new mountain coaster employs a motorized pulley that takes carts uphill on a track and once the cart crests, then gravity whisks riders down, twisting and turning on a fixed track. Guests regulate their own speed with a handbrake.
“The Inferno Mountain Coaster is a fantastic new addition to all the other activities at Purgatory Resort, providing one more reason to visit the resort any time of year,” says Howe.
In addition, parents will have more incentive to take younger skiers to the slopes of Purgatory, as well as Sipapu Ski & Summer Resort and Parajito Mountain Ski Area, as those 10 and younger receive a free season pass.
Unique promotions
Teachers at Angel Fire Resort won’t receive a shiny red apple, but will be the recipient of a unique promotion. All kindergarten through high school teachers can buy a full season ski pass for $499.
“We know many teachers have to make their holiday plans well in advance. We’re offering the Teacher Season Pass early in the year to help educators as they begin planning their winter holidays,” says Robin May, Angel Fire ski and snowboard school director. “We wanted a way to thank them for all they’re doing for our kids by offering them a value driven opportunity to ski or snowboard at our mountain any day that works in their schedule.”
Angel Fire also has invested in more snowmaking equipment, adding new snow guns to one of the longest and most popular trails, “Headin’ Home.” The new state-ofthe-art guns will efficiently utilize air and water to cover more terrain. More permanent stick guns have been added to the backside trails such as “Hallelujah,” which will make snowmaking operations more efficient and will allow for a better “throw” resulting in better coverage.
The resort is also adding another state-of-the-art fan gun specializing in making large amounts of snow over greater distances to allow for an earlier opening date.