Many major projects at Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico could begin soon. The Carson National Forest is asking for public comments for a multitude of projects that Taos is proposing. Some of these projects include a base-to-base gondola, the replacement of Lifts 2 & 8, and the development of a 33-acre cross-country ski and snowshoe center.
According to Taos News, here are the projects that Taos is proposing, which were a part of Tao’s 2021 Master Development Plan:
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Build a base-to-base gondola. Each cabin would be able to fit eight people, with it carrying a maximum of 1,800 people an hour. The 7300-foot-long gondola would run year-round. The lift would connect the Frontside base area and the Kachina Basin.
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Replace Lifts 2 and 8. Both fixed-grip quad chairlifts were built in the 1990s, meaning that they’re nearing the end of their operational lives. These could be replaced by faster and higher-capacity chairlifts.
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Snowmaking Improvements. Taos wants to install a new booster station, water tank, and additional snowmaking pipes. This will help improve snowmaking capabilities to the Frontside and Lift 2. This project will not increase the current water used for snowmaking from the Rio Hondo.
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Develop a Nordic and snowshoe trail network. The 33-acre cross-country ski and snowshoe center would give Taos a cross-country ski center. Currently, the closest cross-country ski facility to Taos, Enchanted Forest, is forty-five minutes away.
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Build a mid-mountain lodge near the top of Lift 7. This 7000-square-foot facility would add food options and restrooms to the mid-mountain at Taos.
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Replace the Whistlestop Café. The new facility would be double the size of the current Whistlestop Café and add more bathrooms. It would be moved to an adjacent location, but would not disrupt the skier flow.
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Construct a hiking trail around Lift 4. The two-mile long trail would be of intermediate difficulty, follow the existing Hunziker ski trail, and connect to the Kachina Basin base area.
Taos said that if these projects are approved, work on them could start this summer, although they didn’t specify which ones would be their first priorities.
A public meeting to discuss the draft environmental impact statement will take place tomorrow, Thursday, March 23 from 6-7:30 p.m. at the Taos Tent. Public comments are due by April 9th and can be faxed, mailed, or electronically submitted. You can submit a comment on the projects here.
Image/Video Credits: Taos Ski Valley
