Trip capacity: 32 Seats sold: SOLD OUT
Taos Trip Report
We departed for Taos at “0 dark thirty” on Jan 14th with 35 members going. We arrived in Taos as scheduled, had a tasty food/drink layout for our Snakedance hosted “welcome reception”. A round of talks from the hotel, mountain, and yours truly was provided. The velet baggage service from the airport to our rooms was the best organized system I have experienced. Here is a shot of the group courtesy of Cold Smoke Photography. Notice the background snow clouds in the air and soft snow underfoot.
We experienced about 25” of new, soft powder during our week. Sunday, we awoke with 2” new and snowing for our first day of lessons. What a treat it was to carve some sweet lines all over the mountain. Monday, it was 4-8” new and we whooped it up in some steeps, glades, trees, and on the shoulders of the groomed runs. Tues was almost a mirror image ski day with the Snakedance General Manager’s barbecue and reception that evening with a sunset stop over the Rio Grande Gorge. A unique land feature carved out over millions of years. Roger and Diane threw the very best party anyone could have ever envisioned ….Duck Farts and all! Thank you Brad!….We all had a very memorable time and hated to say “goodnight”, but back to “work”.
With about 4-5” new, Katchina Peak chair opened on Wednesday and the full 3,300’ vertical was consumed by most. “Heavy by Taos standards” snow, but a pure joy to float in and out of Katchina Peak’s many avenues to adventure were had all day. Thursday came and went by exploring for those hidden lines of new and putting into practice all the new skiing techniques our experienced instructors were imparting to us. Friday started off with a “Martini Tree” stop and celebration to Ernie Blake the founder of Taos which made us ski like “angels” the rest of the day in 2” new and snowing.
We had a departure dinner with hosted bar and an “awards ceremony”. Everyone had a chance to tell a tale on someone in the group and received their “No 1” medal. Because this was the very best trip I have conducted! Seeing the skiing improvement in everyone; hearing of their accolades for the Taos Ski School and quality of instruction received; and experiencing this southwest gem of mountain and laid back charm which resides in Taos makes you realize skiing is about “skiing”. And, the camaraderie we experience from this sport. It is hard to express one’s feeling in a few lines of text, but you could feel it on the bus ride to the airport. It makes me feel good to have positively affected so many in the Club.
To the rest of you, eat your hearts out and “check six” because the Taos “Silk, Dry Powder Hounds” are there!
Thee Hawk Sends
We experienced about 25” of new, soft powder during our week. Sunday, we awoke with 2” new and snowing for our first day of lessons. What a treat it was to carve some sweet lines all over the mountain. Monday, it was 4-8” new and we whooped it up in some steeps, glades, trees, and on the shoulders of the groomed runs. Tues was almost a mirror image ski day with the Snakedance General Manager’s barbecue and reception that evening with a sunset stop over the Rio Grande Gorge. A unique land feature carved out over millions of years. Roger and Diane threw the very best party anyone could have ever envisioned ….Duck Farts and all! Thank you Brad!….We all had a very memorable time and hated to say “goodnight”, but back to “work”.
With about 4-5” new, Katchina Peak chair opened on Wednesday and the full 3,300’ vertical was consumed by most. “Heavy by Taos standards” snow, but a pure joy to float in and out of Katchina Peak’s many avenues to adventure were had all day. Thursday came and went by exploring for those hidden lines of new and putting into practice all the new skiing techniques our experienced instructors were imparting to us. Friday started off with a “Martini Tree” stop and celebration to Ernie Blake the founder of Taos which made us ski like “angels” the rest of the day in 2” new and snowing.
We had a departure dinner with hosted bar and an “awards ceremony”. Everyone had a chance to tell a tale on someone in the group and received their “No 1” medal. Because this was the very best trip I have conducted! Seeing the skiing improvement in everyone; hearing of their accolades for the Taos Ski School and quality of instruction received; and experiencing this southwest gem of mountain and laid back charm which resides in Taos makes you realize skiing is about “skiing”. And, the camaraderie we experience from this sport. It is hard to express one’s feeling in a few lines of text, but you could feel it on the bus ride to the airport. It makes me feel good to have positively affected so many in the Club.
To the rest of you, eat your hearts out and “check six” because the Taos “Silk, Dry Powder Hounds” are there!
Thee Hawk Sends