Alpine adventure: Taos Ski Valley offers great winter workouts

American Fitness, Nov-Dec, 2004 by Rosibel Guzman

Has your fitness routine hit a lull? Why not venture out and take advantage of the winter weather. After all, this is the perfect time to participate in a myriad of winter activities--including skiing. Taos Ski Valley is one place to learn to ski or sharpen your alpine skills.

Hit the Slopes

Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico, and its Ernie Blake Ski School, is continually ranked the best in the country by ski magazines. "Being in the Southern Rockies, to be successful, you must have a mountain that can sustain a good snowpack all winter. Taos Ski Valleys slopes primarily face north and are protected from the strong southwestern sun. Also the high elevation--base 9,200 feet and peak 12,481 feet--keeps the snow cool and dry. Wheeler Peak, New Mexico's highest peak at 13,100 feet, acts as a wall when storms come into the valley," explains Bret Helenius, Taos Ski Valley's sales director. "Storm clouds will often get stuck in this valley and keep snowing days after it has stopped everywhere else in New Mexico. This contributes to the 305 inches [of snow] Taos Ski Valley receives annually. This far south, the tree line ends much higher than other places up north. The trees go to about 11,700 feet here so much of Taos' terrain offers great tree skiing. The trees also contribute to a well-protected snowpack," Helenius says.

Ski Better Week

Most guests participate in ski school during their stay. The Ski Better Week is Taos Ski Valley's most famous program. Ernie Blake founded the program in the 60s for guests coming by train from Chicago. He knew they wouldn't want to stay for only a couple days, so he based the program on a Saturday through Saturday stay. Moreover, Blake knew guests would need instruction to be able to ski the challenging Taos terrain. Now, Taos Ski Valley offers 50 percent beginner and intermediate terrain.

The Ski Better Week is recognized nationwide by skiers and ski publications as the best ski improvement program available. Signature sessions feature small classes, cutting-edge instruction, famous terrain and fast-track learning. More than just a great program, aficionados report refreshed spirits, lifelong friendships and renewed passion for the mountains. Sunday through Friday, top instructors work with you two hours each morning.

Evening tech talks and discussions of biomechanics of skiing and snow safety immerse you in a total ski experience. The ski week is offered for free when you buy a six-day lift ticket starting January 9.

For those who don't have a week to spare, Weekend Ski Camps are also available from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. Among their offerings are:

Rut Busters Camp

December 10 to 12, 2004

Get out of that rut! Whether you're a terminal intermediate or even a beginner, you'll be skiing with greater ease on any groomed slope with the confidence to tackle those black runs you've dreamt about.

Deb Armstrong's Race Camp

December 10 to 12, 2004 and January 14 to 16, 2005

Get set and go with Olympic gold medallist Debbie Armstrong's weekend of gate training, alignment assessment and the latest in racing techniques.

Mogul Camp

February 4 to 6, 2005

Whether you're already dancing down bump runs or don't yet dare, Taos Ski Valley's mogul professionals offer technique and tactics for you to take on!

Ski-the-Steeps Camp

March 4 to 6, 2005

Breathe a little rarefied air by heading to the awe-inspiring off-piste chutes. Adventurers, as well as adrenaline junkies, will love the challenge and confidence-building of skiing the famous Taos steeps. This camp is for advanced and expert skiers only.

Yellowbird Beginner's Program

While Taos Ski Valley has earned its reputation as a haven for advanced skiers, it is an excellent place to learn to ski. Its staff remembers what it was like to learn a new activity. You will learn from their creative and innovative approach to skiing. In addition, there's a special slope and lift designed to help beginners. This package includes four and a half hours of lessons, rentals (i.e., skis, boots and poles) and beginner lift tickets. Lessons begin at 9:45 a.m., with a break for lunch and ends between 3:00 and 3:30 p.m.

Taos Ski Valley offers benefits to keep new skiers coming back. The Yellowbird Guarantee allows beginners, who participate in the two-day program, to learn with the Ernie Blake Ski School until able to ski Whitefeather from the top of lift one. "If the beginner is not ready to go up to lift one on the second day, the next step after the beginner lift, our instructor will keep working with [him or her] until [he or she] is ready to go on that lift and ski the beginner run back to the base area," says Helenius. At the end of the program, all Yellowbird two-day participants receive a free Taos Card. The Taos Card offers a $10 discount on lift tickets per day, and every seventh day of skiing free. The discount card also saves $10 on nightly lodging accommodations and every seventh night flee. All you need to activate the Taos Card is a valid credit card.