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A trip to Taos Ski Valley is no ordinary experience. There exists a magical feeling that overcomes you whether you are riding the slopes or just enjoying the resort's Euro-charming rustic atmosphere. This sensation could be a result of the base elevation of 9206 feet, the over 300 days of sunshine per year, or the resort's tranquil remoteness. Most likely it's a combination of the three. Taos boasts the hands-down best combination of steeps and bumps in North America. Al's run, Taos' signature slope, features a pitched cascade of edge-to-edge moguls that drops 1700 feet to the valley floor. But there's no need to worry if you're a beginner. This skier's paradise also offers the top-rated education program in the West. When you hear people call New Mexico "The Land of Enchantment," you can be sure they have Taos in mind.
Daily Snow Report - Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico
Ski Season: 11.26.98 thru 4.11.99
Peak Elevation: 11,819 feet
Base Elevation: 9,207 feet
Vertical Drop: 2,612 feet
Average Annual Snowfall: 321 inches
Number of Runs: 72
Beginner: 17 [24%]
Intermediate: 18 [25%]
Expert: 37 [51%]
Skiable Acres: 1,100
Number of Lifts: 11 4 Quad Chairs 1 Triple Chair 5 Double Chairs 1 Surface Lift Hours of Lift Operation: 9 am - 4 pm
Uphill Capacity: more than 15,000 skiers per hour
Snowmaking capabilities on 95% of Beginning and Intermediate terrain.
Snowboards not permitted.
Wheeler Peak is the highest mountain in New Mexico. The Sangre de Cristo Range in northern New Mexico is largely a high but gentle range of rounded summits with unusually high treelines--very few other places in the world have forests above 12,000 feet. The main reason people visit the Wheeler Peak vicinity is to ski at Taos Ski Valley, a world-class ski resort on the neighboring peak to the south. Wheeler's summit is visible from the eastern reaches of the ski area, and the ski area road provides paved access to the usual trailhead for the peak. Despite the lack of climbing challenge and rugged pinnacles in the Wheeler Peak area, the above-timberline scenery is still very pleasant and a nice area for hiking and backpacking. La Cal basin, high on the north ridge of the peak, is a pretty alpine bowl, and to the north and east of Wheeler Peak its namesake wilderness offers solitude away from the state high-point peak- baggers often found making their way to the summit.
Climbing Notes:
From the Taos Ski Valley ski area parking lot, there are two usual routes to Wheeler Peak. One leads uphill towards Bull-of-the-Pasture Mountain before making a sharp right turn to traverse over Fraser Mountian, La Cal Basin, and Mt. Walter (a barely discernible subpeak) to the summit. It's a long but possible day hike--just get an early start to be off the ridges before the inevitable afternoon thunderstorms in summer. The other route heads up the valley of the Lake Fork to Williams Lake, and from there directly up the steep slopes of Talus to the summit. Although more direct, the route passes through private land, is not as scenic, and is far steeper. I recommend the longer but more pleasant ridge route.
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