Taos Ski Valley Jobs

Taos Ski Area Profile
Winter Activities
Summer Activities
Après-ski
Transportation
Housing
Taos Ski Valley Employment

Taos Ski Area Profile

The Taos ski experience is different from any other. The southwestern feel of New Mexico, the Spanish influence, and the genuine hospitality of the people who work and visit there make Taos unique. Compared to Aspen or Vail, Taos is a small area; indeed, most guests stay in the town of Taos itself (eighteen miles away), as the mountain area does not have huge condo complexes or large hotels. Instead the lodges are small and emphasize the happiness of their guests, forming a close-knit, family atmosphere. The area was founded just after World War II by a German/Swiss man named Ernie Blake. The resort’s quaint features and style were his vision, and to this day, any renovation, upgrade or new development stays true to that design. The high desert area and the layered New Mexico mesas were favorite subjects of black-and-white photographer Ansel Adams, and Taos was the site of the mission of St. Francis of Assisi in the Spanish colonial era. The remains of the mission and the character, ceremonies, and pueblos of the Tiwa Indians and the Spanish settlers who first called Taos their home continue to live on.

Winter Activities

If fresh snow and lots of sunshine are requirements for your ideal ski area, look no further. Taos is located in the Southern Rockies and has mild temperatures and great ski conditions throughout the season. Because the U.S. Forest Service restricts Taos to selling only 4,800 lift tickets daily, the ski area is never too crowded. Taos has a reputation as an expert’s mountain – just over half its runs contain gravity-defying steeps and expert terrain. However, runs for beginners and intermediates are also well represented with vast open bowls and gentle cruising slopes. In all, the mountain has a vertical drop of 2,612 feet. There are no cross-country tracks at Taos, but Nordic skiing is welcome forty miles away in the greater Taos area.

Ski races, dances, and fiestas are the stuff Taos is made of. In December, the Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade and the Matachines Dance set the holiday mood. January brings the annual Le Grande Event Wine Tasting. Check with the Chamber of Commerce for specific dates and times. In addition to special events, visitors always have the opportunity to learn about Southwestern culture. Ceremonial dances are staged daily, along with lectures such as “Healing with Crystals” and “Stoneware” and demonstrations of regional arts and crafts.

Summer Activities

Summer brings a new slew of events and fiestas. In May there is the Taos Spring Arts Celebration and in June the Rodeo de Taos. Opportunities abound for whitewater rafting or fly fishing on the Rio Grande, hot-air ballooning, and exploring the mountain trails on bike or foot. Taos is sixty-five miles from Santa Fe, 135 miles north of Albuquerque, and 107 miles from the Great Sand Dunes, a national monument with nearby golf courses and four-wheel-drive tours into the dunes.

Après-ski

The town of Taos offers everything from fine dining to great takeout pizza. Many guests prefer to cook in their condo rooms, but Taos is the place to be for those who love the blend of Spanish, Mexican, and Native American food that is known as Southwestern cuisine. Chefs rely heavily on local, organically grown vegetables and herbs. Taos is not known for its extensive nightlife, perhaps because guests ski so hard during the day they need the entire night to recuperate. There are, however, places in the village for live music – reggae, country, jazz, and acoustic guitar – and there is country-western dancing at various bars and lounges in town.

Transportation

The nearest major airport to Taos is in Albuquerque, 135 miles south. Car rentals are readily available at the airport. At this time, there is no commercial air service into Taos. Faust’s Transportation, (888) 830-3410, provides bus service from Albuquerque. You might also try calling Twin Heart Express at (800) 654-9456. Amtrak service reaches Albuquerque by way of Los Angeles and Chicago.

Buses run to and from the town of Taos and the ski village daily during the ski season for those who do not have cars. The Chile Line is the public transportation system from the Town of Taos to Taos Ski Valley. The shuttle runs several times per day.

Housing

For the most part, employees live in houses, not apartments. This is obviously more costly, so it is a good idea to find roommates to share living expenses. Contact the Taos News, https://taosnews.com/ or Taos Ski Valley website, for housing suggestions.

Taos Ski Valley Employment

For current job listings and to apply online visit www.jobmonkeyjobs.com/employer/company/9167/Taos-Ski-Valley-Inc.

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