Taos, New Mexico — Taos Ski Valley was once known as a ski resort that was hampered by slow, older chairlifts. That reputation is changing.
Since 2014, Taos has installed the Kachina Peak, Rueggli, Lift 1, Lift 4, and Pioneers chairlifts. They also installed their first gondola (Gondolita). This has given Taos a more modern lift fleet, including its first two high-speed chairlifts. Next up on the to-do list for their lift network modernization plan is upgrading Lift 7.
Last week, Taos Ski Valley announced that Lift 7 will be replaced by an Alpha Drive triple by Leitner Poma. Built back in 1984, Lift 7, also known as Maxi’s, was manufactured by Städeli. It was also a fixed-grip triple chairlift. The plan is to sell the old chairs, with the proceeds going towards a charitable cause. There is no plan to replace Lift 7A.
More lift replacements and projects could be on the horizon. Taos Ski Valley had a variety of projects from its master plan approved by the US Forest Service. This includes a new base-to-base gondola, replacing Lift 2 with a detachable or fixed-grip quad, and replacing Lift 8 with a detachable or fixed-grip quad chairlift. Other projects from this proposal that were approved include Nordic/snowshoeing trails, a new Lift 7 lodge/restaurant, and a hiking trail around Lift 4. It’ll be interesting to see when these projects come online, especially that gondola.
Image/Video Credits: Taos Ski Valley, Isaac Glickman (islandrman)
