Taos Ski Valley For Every Traveler: Adventure, Art + Alpine Bliss

Sometimes the best way to appreciate home is to leave it for a little while. When our family loaded into the van with ski gear, a baby, stroller, dog and more, we were eager for a change of scenery that wasn’t too much of a trek.

A six-and-a-half-hour drive from Grand Junction, Taos Ski Valley makes for the perfect road trip — an adventure that blends world-class skiing with the vibrant soul of New Mexico. We soon discovered that this legendary New Mexico resort, celebrating its 70th anniversary this season, has the magic to welcome every kind of traveler: adventure seekers, après enthusiasts and even parents with a 5-month-old in tow.

The drive winds through Colorado’s wide valleys and into New Mexico’s vast desert landscapes, the kind of scenery that reminds you why the open road is still one of the best ways to travel. By the time we pulled into The Blake at Taos Ski Valley, the resort’s boutique slopeside hotel, we felt both road-weary and completely transported. The Blake is a warm, art-filled refuge with a pet-friendly vibe, and its location — just steps from the lifts — made it easy to settle in. A tasty steak dinner at 192 at The Blake was the perfect way to button up our Thursday travel day.

Photos courtesy of Taos Ski Valley

SKIING + SMALL-TOWN CHARM

Since our son’s arrival last fall, my husband and I don’t get out together as often for activities like skiing. It’s to be expected, but with the resort’s on-site childcare, we could drop off our little one as early as 8 a.m., confident he was safe, cared for and entertained, while we clicked into our skis and met our mountain guide.

Taos is famous for its steep chutes and big-mountain access, but the resort has been steadily investing in thoughtful improvements throughout its terrain. For this season, Lift 7 — originally built in 1984 — has been replaced with a new triple chair, and Maxie’s run has been completely regraded for smoother laps. Icon Pass holders likely know that Taos is on its list, but if that’s news to you it might be extra incentive to explore beyond the Epic Pass.

Our fabulous aprés-ski meal at baby-friendly Suchness in the Town of Taos. Photo by Kim Fuller.

We skied all morning on Friday and made a stop in the woods at the famous Taos Martini Tree, then traded fast turns for a bratwurst and a stein at The Bavarian, a slopeside spot that feels like a European alpine lodge tucked into the Sangre de Cristo mountains.

The first stop of our après-ski was to the childcare center where we picked up a happy and tired baby. We grabbed the van and drove in to the Town of Taos, about 30 minutes away. Here, adobe walls, colorful galleries and eclectic cafés paint a picture of New Mexico’s artistic soul. It was a reminder that Taos isn’t just a ski destination, it’s a cultural one.

We stumbled upon the restaurant Suchness (later realizing it has quite the foodie following), and were delighted in being so welcomed with our baby. We settled in and stayed awhile, long enough for our son to doze off in his car seat resting on the floor by our table. Husband-wife team Kevin and Meg Sousa have created something very special in their heartfelt and authentic offering of homemade food, a unique wine list and true hospitality.

SPIRIT OF TAOS

On Saturday, we secured skins to our skis and headed out with our dog toward Williams Lake, tucked below Wheeler Peak, the tallest mountain in New Mexico. Just a short drive from the ski valley base area, the trail begins near The Bavarian and winds through snowy pines and open meadows, where our pup bounded joyfully through the drifts as we climbed higher. The reward was an al fresco picnic at a sparkling alpine lake rimmed with peaks, frozen in winter silence. Beyond the resort boundaries, ski touring revealed a side of Taos that feels wild, expansive and utterly untouched.

While my husband skied some afternoon laps, I headed to the spa at The Blake Spa & Wellness Center for an alpine facial, a blissful reset after back-to-back ski days and late-night feedings. Later, we reunited as a family to stroll through the base area, stopping to peek into shops, for a snack at Cid’s Market and to warm up by the fire pits.

I snuck out for an early on-resort ski tour before we packed up to leave on Sunday. Uphill access begins from the base area at 7 a.m. and all skiers must be heading downhill by 9 a.m. The quiet and clear on-mountain morning was the perfect way to get one more dose of Taos before hitting the road. My husband got in a few runs once the lifts started spinning, then swapped ski boots for car keys and drove us all to Arroyo Seco, about 20 minutes down from Taos Ski Valley. A visit to Logan Wannamaker Pottery and nourishing patio brunch at Sol Food set us on our way home.

The unique spirit of northern New Mexico feels both exhilarating and grounding. It’s the kind of place where adventure and culture meet, making it an ideal weekend escape for anyone craving something new yet timeless.

Originally published in the winter 2025-26 issue of Spoke+Blossom.