Taos Winter Visitor Guide 2015

2 Winter/Spring 2014 /// www.taosnews.com/visitors

Adventurous spirits welcomeFor a schedule of events, visit skitaos.org/events.

Winter/Spring 2015 /// www.taosnews.com/visitors 3


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outdoor photo by Jim Cox, interior and food photos by Tina Larkin

Breakfast Lunch Dinner 9 - 9pmSunday Brunch 9 - 3pmHappy Hour 3 - 6pm DailyClosed Tues.



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DEPARTMENTS30FROM THE EDITOR A guide to your winter wonderlandBy Andy Jones

32TAOS SCRAPBOOKA collection of places and events that make Taos special

36AREA MAPSPoints of interest, a downtown walking tour and the Enchanted Circle

38GETTING HEREDriving directions, airport, rental car and shuttle information

98FOOD & DRINKRead our stories about coehouses, wine and beer, TSVs best beverages, a Snowcoach Dinner Tour and local winter menus that will get your palate seeking sustenance

120RECREATION & LEISURE9 Ways to Enjoy a Taos Winter from live entertainment to sledding and tubing, weve got your cure for the winter blues

195CALENDAR OF EVENTSWhats happening in the Enchanted Circle

FEATURES40KACHINA PEAK CHAIRLIFTOf the changes put in action by new owners at Taos Ski Valley, none are quite as dramatic as the lift that will take skiers and snowboarders to new heightsBy Andy Dennison

48PAINT FOR PEAKSArea artists put their unique visions onto the backs of snowboards, all in support of fundraising eorts to ght breast cancerBy Yvonne Pesquera

58TAOS MUSEUMSLocal treasures pack in a plethora of art, culture and history

66KEEPING WARMA primer on wood collection in Northern New MexicoBy Cody Hooks

70TAOS LODGINGA list of places to stay, with something to t every budget

847.5 GOPRO TIPSClaimMyRun.com cofounder shares some advice for capturing your biggest runs in all their Internet-ready gloryBy Brett Hills

40Ryan HeffernanThe Kachina Peak lift will change the face of Taos Ski Valley forever.

We are proud of your updated WalmartMore space for what you want more of!

We listened to you, Taos! Come explore expanded grocery options including more frozen foods. Plus, enjoy better lighting, new carts and a faster way to pay with new self-checkouts.

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Contributing WritersCindy BrownAndy DennisonTeresa DovalpageBrett HillsMel A. JamesYvonne PesqueraSteve Tapia

Editorial AssistantDylan Atencio

Contributing PhotographersSteven BundySteve FoxJim ODonnellRyan HeernanAllan LemleyKevin RebholtzGeraint SmithGak StonnNick StreitTerry ompsonEli VegaLaurence Zankowski

Taos News Staff Robin Martin, ownerChris Baker, publisherJoan Livingston, editorChris Wood, advertising managerAndy Jones, special sections editorMichelle M. Gutierrez,chief editorial designerJennifer Taphorn,production managerKatharine Egli,sta photographerCody Hooks,reporterJ.R. Logan, reporterCody Olivas, reporterAndrew Oxford, reporter

Cover Photograph With 22 inches in two days and a base approaching 70, there was ample snow for soft landings, according to photographer Liam Doran, who shot skier Kevin Bert Flores launching o one of the innumerable rocks at Taos Ski Valley.

WINTER VISITOR GUIDE STAFF & CONTRIBUTERS

FEATURES 86SKIING FOR A GOOD CAUSEe history and present of the Ben Myers Ridge-A-onBy Teresa Dovalpage

90FREERIDE CHAMPIONSHIPSA look at New Mexicos premier skiing competitionBy Cody Olivas

118WINTER WILDLIFESome creatures are lurking in the high wilderness around Taos, but due to their elusiveness, they are mostly outta sight, outta mindBy Steve Tapia

COMMUNITIES & RESORTS152TAOS SKI VALLEYChange is the rage at the resort known for its steeps and deepsBy Andy Dennison

156ARROYO SECOA little village with a lot to doBy Dylan Atencio

162SIPAPUe states longest ski season is here

166ANGEL FIREFull schedule oers family adventures

170RED RIVERFrom town to mountain, fun looms around every corner

174EAGLE NESTe hub of winter wildlife in the Moreno ValleyBy Andy Dennison

176QUESTAA gateway to undeveloped adventure

178TAOS PUEBLOA bastion of culture and traditionBy Dylan Atencio

180ENCHANTED FORESTe magical land of cross country skiing and snowboardingBy Andy Jones

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Kevin RebholtzSnowboarder Jack Wilson gets big air off Donkey Serenade at Taos Ski Valley.

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FROM THE EDITOR

A guide to your winter wonderland, as well as ours

Welcome to the Taos Visitor and Newcomer Guide 2015, or as we like to call it, the Winter Visitors Guide. Its the largest visitors guide in the state of New Mexico and at 204 pages, a treasure trove of information and entertainment.

As always, we at e Taos News try to nd the stories we think will educate visitors about our area, as well as illuminate the special and wonderful place where we live. Its a ne line we walk, trying to make the publication useful to newcomers, as well as seasoned locals.

Of course, one of the big stories this season is the new lift on Kachina Peak at Taos Ski Valley. Andy Dennison has all you need to know, whether youre a rst-timer at the mountain or a grizzled veteran of hiking the ridge. Check out the story on page 40.

And of course, everyone will want to know about some charitable events that, while mostly benetting the local community, are fun for everyone. Yvonne Pesquera writes about the Paint for Peaks snowboard art auction, and the K2 Bumps Challenge (page 52), which both raise funds for breast cancer awareness and research. en, Teresa Dovalpage gives us a rundown on the Ben Myers Ridge-A-on (page 86), an event that combines endurance with fundraising for other cancer-related causes.

We also have stories about our local food and drink, beginning on page 98. And while these are very useful for those just coming into town, Im sure some locals will be excited to see whats on some of their favorite restaurants winter menus. Andrew Oxford has that story on page 112.

And then we have 9 Ways to Enjoy a Taos Winter, a primer of sorts for all the non-skiing and snowboarding activities you might want to partake in, whether you are on vacation, or just have some extra time to kill on the weekend. Read about all the options beginning on page 120.

You might think its a challenge to write something new about the local ski areas and some of our local communities every year, but the truth is, folks in the Enchanted Circle keep breaking the mold and making everything new again. e leaders of these resorts never seem content to just be a ski area. ey keep nding new ways to excite the masses.

While innovation is happening on the mountains, many local villages and Pueblos tend to stick to tradition, and for good reason. e calendar of events in our area contains some of the most unique and beautiful traditions, year-in, year out, whether its the centuries old religious ceremonies at Taos and Picuris Pueblos, or the quirky and odd Polar Bear Plunge in Eagle Nest, theres a lot not to miss in our part of the world. Even most of the locals havent been able to make it out to every event.

ats one of the reasons we live here, and we assume the primary reason many of you keep coming back. Its our hope that theres something for everyone in this publication and that it will be of use not only this season, but for seasons to come.

Andy Jones, special sections editor

WHAT IT ISSan Lorenzo de Picuris, the Catholic mission at Picuris Pueblo, south of Taos was built of adobe in 1776 and restored in the last century. At one point, Picuris Pueblo had one of the largest populations of New Mexico Pueblos, however today, it is one of the smallest. Winter events at the Pueblo include the a Procession of the Virgin on Christmas Eve, Matachines on Christmas Day, Holy Innocents Day on Dec. 28 (childrens dance), Transfer of Canes on Jan. 1, St. Pauls Feast Day on Jan. 25 and Candelaria Feast Day on Feb. 2. As these are primarily religious ceremonies, it is asked that visitors always behave as they would in their own place of worship when attending events at the Pueblo. Call Picuris Pueblo Governors Oce at (575) 587-2519 for more information.

WHY ITS SPECIALOn my rst visit to Picuris Pueblo in 1984 it was raining, the fog rolled in and it began to snow. e San Lorenzo Church was one of the most beautiful buildings Id ever seen as it appeared in a shroud of fog and small snowakes settled on the adobe walls. e 200-year-old adobe church has since been restored. Returning to Picuris Pueblo during winter recently, I was rewarded with this image of the warm high desert light and the golden glow on adobe. I always feel welcome when showing friends and visitors the Picuris Pueblo. Geraint Smith, photographer, Taos

TAOS SCRAPBOOKSAN LORENZO DE PICURISAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY GERAINT SMITHE

ven for a group of talented wordsmiths, sometimes it's just easier to show you

something than it is to write about it. Luckily, our area is home to numerous talented photographers, many of whom were gracious enough to submit images for use in this year's Winter Visitors Guide.

In an effort to share their work with a greater audience, and to provide our readers with a little more than just information about our area, we developed the Taos Scrapbook. If a picture is worth a thousand words, consider this mixture of images and text to be worth 1,200.

ORILLA VERDE RECREATION AREA 34

SANTUARIO DE CHIMAYO 54

LIGHTING LEDOUX 62

NIGHT SKIES 64

EAGLES 68

SAN FRANCISCO DE ASIS 78

TAOS MESA BREWING 80

ALCALDE TRADITIONS 82

TAOS PLAZA 96

TORCHLIGHT PARADE AT TSV 150

EL SALTO FALLS 158

EL SALTO MOUNTAIN 160

TAOS SCRAPBOOK



WHAT IT ISe Orilla Verde Recreation area is inside the Ro Grande del Norte National Monument, and along the Ro Grande Wild and Scenic River. e area features some great campgrounds with river access. ey are good spots to camp or to take a daytime adventure. e group shelters are available by reservation and can accommodate up to 40 people. While winter may be a little cold for water activities like boating and oating, anglers still nd the area to be attractive in this season. Hiking and biking are also popular winter uses for Orilla Verde. For maps and more information, visit the Ro Grande Gorge Visitor Center in Pilar, near the turno into Orilla Verde. Winter hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 7 days a week. Or call (575) 758-8851.

WHY ITS SPECIALe Orilla Verde is one of my favorite places to spend a winter day. Fly shing the Ro Grande for large Northern Pike this time of year can be thrilling, and the wildlife viewing is second to none. Deer, elk, bighorn sheep, otters, bald eagles, bobcats and more use this section of the Ro Grande as their winter grounds and can be seen regularly. Nick Streit, shing guide, writer and photographer, Taos

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

01ORILLA VERDE RECREATION AREAAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY NICK STREIT

Open 7 days a week for Lunch and Dinnerwww.martyrs-steakhouse.com

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Treat yourself to the FinestHand Cut Steaks

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Specialty Cocktails

Exceptional Wine List



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Kevin RebholtzKachina Peak, as seen from the run No Name, and as it was before a lift went up Main Street on the face of the mountain.

By Andy Dennison

e 2014-2015 season is full of great new stu at Taos Ski Valley, none more dramatic than the new chairlift up Kachina Peak that takes skiers and snowboarders to new heights.

e new ownership of Taos Ski Valley got down to business in its rst oseason, vividly altering the face and ow of the 59-year-old resort and creating quite a buzz in Taos and around the industry, too.

e headliner is the Kachina Peak Lift, which CEO Gordon Briner calls a game changer. It opens up 150 acres of above-treeline, expert terrain that previously could only be enjoyed after a 40-minute hike. e new lift drops o skiers and riders on Kachina Ridge, just 30 feet below the 12,481-foot summit of the peak, and opens up the alpine world of the southern Sangre de Cristos that spreads all around.

New Mexicos highest spot, the 13,159-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, looms to the east while Taos Mountain and sacred Taos Pueblo lands run o ridges to the south. Colorado fourteeners rise in the distant north and, out west, the Taos Plateau ows out across the Ro Grande Gorge. Its no wonder that one of the tenets that drove founder Ernie Blake to build Taos Ski Valley was

the ability to make these mountains available to all who come to them.

With above-treeline lift access, skiers and snowboarders now can hit much of the terrain that many had only gazed upon from below. ey can roll out the big carvers down Main Street or jump-turn into the gnarly K Chutes o the ridge. And then, hop a chair for a ve-minute ride back up. e new chair also gives general access to the tight gullies above Hunsiker Bowl, feeding down on Chair 4.

Taos is home to a dedicated, protective cadre of boots-on-the-ground hikers and hardy newcomers who harbor an insistent hike-the-ridge jones that must be satised in order to make their days complete. erefore, skiers and snowboarders who ride the new lift up Kachina can only go as far as a gate that separates lift-served terrain from hiking-only runs. Located in the ridge saddle near Cabin Chute, the gate symbolizes the resorts strong commitment to preserving terrain that can be reached only

on foot from Trescow and Twin Trees across Juarez Bowl and into the West Basin.

Because it is the rst year for the Kachina lift, there are some things mountain management will have to learn on the y, such as:

Opening day. Solely dependent upon snow but sooner than before. None of this terrain has ever had a side-stepping to pack down rst snowfalls, so early-season compaction will push up any start date. Anywhere between 40 and 50 inches of base should do it, Briner says.

Grooming on Main Street. Its a possibility, says Briner, because TSV has the equipment and expertise to roll with a winch-cat, and Main Street is the least precipitous of Kachina Bowl runs. But its not a certainty, at least for this season. Hunsiker Bowl has been winch-catted for the past ve years.

Lift lines. To keep the experience special, resort ocials made a conscious decision to limit ridership on the new chair. at may produce lift lines a phenomenon foreign to TSV regulars so that therell be plenty of room up top for everyone who takes the ride.

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KACHINA PEAK CHAIRLIFTTaking it to the limit

KACHINA PEAK continues on Page 46


Northern New Mexicos Premier Arts Guide

one man show

Taos Art Museum & Fechin Housepresents

Walt GonskePaintings of the High Desert

Sept 21st Oct 28th, 2007 Artist Reception: Sept 21st 4-7pmA Full Color Hardbound Catalog Available September 1st

227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte Taos, NM 87571 505.758.2690 www.taosartmuseum.org

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n powder days, there should be a bunch more of Taos deep-and-steep devotees peeling o to the backside to catch Chair 4 up to the Kachina lift. And, more taking a short cut by driving up

to the Phoenix area at the base of Chair 4 (be sure to have a ticket in hand).

Regardless of how you get there, expect to be surprised. And then get down to business, because there is a new game afoot at Taos Ski Valley.

KACHINA PEAK LIFTLOCATION: A short traverse east of Chair 4 summit.

HOURS OF OPERATION: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (subject to change)

VERTICAL RISE: 1,100 feet

SPEED: 500 feet/minute

TIME OF RIDE: 5 minutes

CAPACITY: 1,500/riders per hour

KACHINA PEAK continued from Page 41

Kevin RebholtzA skier makes fresh turns down one of the K chutes on Kachina Peak.

Courtesy PhotoTaos artist El Moises poses with a snowboard he painted for last seasons Paint for Peaks.

By Yvonne Pesquera

Taos Ski Valley is known for its world-class steeps. But behind the black diamond challenges, the ski resort has a soft side. Every year, Taos Ski Valley hosts a fundraising event to raise money for breast cancer prevention, education, and early detection.

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ART, HEART, & EPIC TERRAINTaos Ski Valleyhosts Paint forPeaks, a snowboardart auction for breastcancer fundraising

PAINT FOR PEAKS continues on Page 52



Aspen Gallery

T A O S

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Something for EveryonePainting Watercolors Tinwork Glasswork

Jewelry Furniture Fiber Works Photography

JONNA JAMES

WHAT IT ISMaintained by the Sons of the Holy Family, the compound at Santuario de Chimayo has two buildings of historical signicance. El Santuario itself, a shrine built on the site of what many believe

to be a miracle associated with the crucix of Nuestro Seor de Esquipulas and El Pocito, the small pit of Holy Dirt, which many people believe has remarkable healing powers. Of course, the Christmas season is a special time at El Santuario

de Chimayo, and the Sons of the Holy Family decorate the compound in accordance with the season and Northern New Mexico traditions, using farolitos to light the way and upon the roofs. For more, visit elsantuariodechimayo.us.

WHY ITS SPECIALEl Santuario de Chimay is one of the many locations included in my very popular High Road Photo Tour. e Santuario is a special site, always dierent and moving. Over the last 10 years I have returned many times,

photographing the chapel from every angle, in every season. is image was taken a few nights after Christmas of 2013 and as the poem goes, not a creature was stirring on that still and silent night. Steven Bundy, photographer, Taos

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

02SANTUARIO DE CHIMAYOAS PHOTOGRAPHED BYSTEVEN BUNDY


Thom Wheeler sculptureN

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939 Kit Carson Road, Taos, NM. 87571575 758 8870 www.thomwheeler.com [email protected]


Wilder Nightingale Fine Art 119 Kit Carson Road, Taos 575-758-3255

www.wnightingale.com

Mick ShimonekDistant Peaks Oil 30 x 36

Margaret NesWhite Farmhouse in Field Pastel 19 x 29

www.taosartmuseum.org for Winter Events and Programs.

Experience the Art thatCaptured the Southwestin the Historic Home Crafted by Nicolai Fechin

Admission to garden, studio, and Museum Store is FREE.

Taos residents FREE on Sunday.

Nutcracker MarketDecember 4-15, 2014

227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte(575) 758-2690


ExtraordinaryJewelry, Furniture, Art, Navajo Rugs,

Antiques and Collectibles

Rustic, Elegant, Strange, Bizarre

New MexicoAuctions & Upscale Consignments

228 Paseo del Pueblo Norte 776.1562 Single Items to Entire Estates Purchased

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KOALACOLOURSSTUDIO

e Couse Housee historical studio and home of Eanger Irving Couse, a distinguished 20th Century painter and co-founder of the Taos Society of Artists.e Couse family still owns the Couse home, but visits can be scheduled.146 Kit Carson Road; to arrange a tour, call (575) 751-0369couse-sharp.org

e E.L. Blumenschein HouseCelebrates the lives and art of Ernest L. Blumenschein, co-founder of the Taos Society of Artists, and family.Winter hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Fees: $8 for adults; $4 for youth 16 and under; free admission for children under 5; $12 for a combination ticket with Hacienda de los Martnez.222 Ledoux St.; (575) 758-0505taoshistoricmuseums.org

Governor Bent House and MuseumHome of New Mexicos rst U.S. governor, also a trapper, trader and mountain man.Winter hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Fees: $1 per adult; $.50 for children.117 Bent St.

Hacienda de los MartinezA 21-room trading center built in 1804 by Severino Martnez.Winter hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.Fees: $8 per adult; $4 for youth under 16; free admission for children under 5; free admission for Taos County residents on Sunday; group rate (10 or more people) of $6 per person.708 Hacienda Road, o Ranchitos Road; (575) 758-1000taoshistoricmuseums.org

e Harwood Museum of ArtA collection of over 1,000 pieces of artwork that brings Taos to the world and the world to Taos.Winter hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m., Sun.Fees: $10 for adults; $8 per senior (65+); $8 per student; free admission to youth, UNM faculty and students, members of the Harwood Museum of Art Alliance, and on Sundays for Taos County residents.238 Ledoux St.; (575) 758-9826harwoodmuseum.org

Kit Carson Home and Museume home of Kit Carson army scout, trapper, soldier, and pioneer.Open daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.Fees: $5 per adult; $4 for seniors (62+); $3 for teens; free admission for children 12 and under; group rate (10 or more people) of $3 per person.113 Kit Carson Road; (575) 758-4945kitcarsonmuseum.org

e Millicent Rogers MuseumAmong the 20 galleries and exhibitions are collections of American Indian jewelry, pottery from Maria Martinez, and many other artworks.Winter hours: 10:10 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-SundayFees: $10 per adult; $8 for seniors (60+); $2 for children; $6 per student; $6 for military; free admission for children under 6 and Taos County residents (with ID).1504 Millicent Rogers Road; (575) 758-2462millicentrogers.org

Taos Art Museum at Fechin Housee home and studio of international artist Nicolai Ivanovich Fechin.Winter hours: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday-SundayFees: $8 per adult; $7 per senior; $5 for students; free admission for children under 12.227 Paseo del Pueblo Norte; (575) 758-2690taosartmuseum.org

Taos MuseumsPacking in a plethora of art, culture and history

Eli VegaThe E.L. Blumenschein House is located in what was once the home of Earnest Blumenschein.



130 BENT STREET, TAOS109 E PALACE, SANTA FE

575-758-7339

WWW.GOLIGHTLYCASHMERE.COM

STUDIO: GALLERY: COMMUNITYCONTEMPORARY CERAMICS IN THE HIGH MOUNTAIN DESERT. FOR INFORMATION ON HALF DAY CLASSES, PRIVATE LESSONS, STUDIO RENTAL, AND GALLERY CONTACT US SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

WWW.TAOSCLAY.COM575-758-7660

TAOS CLAY STUDIO


WINTER IN TAOSKoh-Neh-Nah

LENNY FOSTERS LIVING LIGHT GALLERYExquisite fine art photography. Voted Taos Best Gallery

LocaTEd in Taos HisToric disTricT107 Kit carson rd

575-737-9150 [email protected]

WHAT IT ISOne of the most revered holiday traditions in Taos is the annual Lighting Ledoux. In early December (this years Lighting Ledoux is Dec. 6), the narrow, one-way street in Taos historic disctrict is the place to be, as local merchants, galleries and museums work together to put on one heck of a holiday block party. Farolitos line the sidewalks and rooftops of the historic street and buildings and luminarias (bonres) burn in the courtyards as the

proprietors oer holiday food and drink. People ock to the street to enjoy the seasons camaraderie and get in the spirit.

WHY ITS SPECIALis Lighting Ledoux photo was one that I almost

deleted but looking back on these shots that are slightly blurry, the lack of focus adds a mystique to the shot. I enjoyed this photo outing

so much because it is one of my favorite Taos events that I loved shooting. Laurence Zankowski, photographer, Colorado Springs

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

03LIGHTINGLEDOUXAS PHOTOGRAPHED BYLAURENCE ZANKOWSKI


ere Always Something Going On At the Miicent Rogers Museum

1504 Millicent Rogers Road, Taos For More Information Please Call 575.758.2462 or visit our website at www.millicentrogers.org


WHAT IT ISere is something about looking at the night sky in the dead of winter in Taos. It could be that were perched 7,000 feet above sea level, or that there is very little light pollution in our part of the world, but for whatever reason, when the weather is clear (and its often clear), we have some of the most gorgeous night skies anywhere. And it begins with our amazing sunsets and includes titillating moonrises over the Sangre de Cristos (like in this shot by Jim ODonnell) and more stars than you would ever dream of counting (like in the Laurence Zankowski photo below). Even when the temperatures are below freezing (the colder the better actually), youll be doing yourself a favor if you just take a few minutes to step outside, look up and enjoy the view.

WHY ITS SPECIALI took this, just after sunset from the road to the gorge bridge. I placed my tripod on top of my car, bundled up and climbed onto the roof. It was one of those bitterly cold February evenings when an awful wind was blowing out of the northwest. I had trouble keeping the camera steady for the shot. Full on, Taos winter. And yet, the color of the sky that night as well as the intensity of the moon felt warm, like a little message that perhaps spring was just around the corner. Jim ODonnell, writer and photographer, Taos

e late-night, long exposure of the stars and mountain: I was into and still am doing long exposures on clear nights in the Southwest. is one was taken just south of Arroyo Seco, out in the pastures that hug the mountains. It was a very cold night! Laurence Zankowski, photographer, Colorado Springs

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

04MOONRISES AND CLEAR NIGHT SKIESAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY JIM ODONNELL AND LAURENCE ZONKOWSKI


By Cody Hooks

On any given morning during the high-altitude winters of Taos County, with snow blanketing the landscape and the bright sun overhead, thousands of homes slowly warm from corner replaces in adobe walls or wood stoves.

Northern New Mexico is renowned for its natural resources, with Carson National Forest and thousands of acres in the care of the Bureau of Land Management right out the back door. ough wood no longer holds the place it once did in the daily lives of New Mexicans, wood

collecting persists for those whove made the annual treks from the time they were kids and for those recent transplants to the life and rhythms of Taos.

For those without the know-how of wood collecting, e Taos News Winter Visitors Guide has

your primer.

Kathy Delucas of the U.S. Forest Service said her family uses wood, and though Its a lot of hard work, when its all split and stacked, its so satisfying.

Indeed, you dont need two people with a cross-cut saw and a donkey to collect wood in the mountains. But you do need to be prepared.

e whole ritual starts with nding a place to collect somewhere in Carson National Forest or in designated areas within the Ro Grande del Norte National Monument. Folks are sometimes

ffeature

KEEPING WARMA primer on wood collection in Northern New Mexico


Geraint SmithSome folks get their wood pile ready well before winter.

secretive about their wood-collecting spots, but you can gather anywhere within 300 feet of a forest road. If youre not up to just start driving around, a visit to the Forest Service or BLM oces in Taos to buy a permit and get directions will surely get you on your way.

A good pickup truck is essential. And four-wheel drive never hurts, especially when the ground gets wet, as mud can start to be a problem. But people still collect into the winter even after snow has fallen and piled underneath the forest canopy.

With warm clothes, a chainsaw and a direction in which to head, youre ready.

Both federal agencies are bound to protect and ensure the health of wildlife and the forests ecological diversity, as well as the many archeological sites throughout this area. e traditional uses of the land like wood collecting are also protected and treasured, but there are some rules to follow.

Wood harvesters can take only dead trees. Some have been cut by the agencies to thin the forest, others have been charred in a prescribed burn or wildre, and still others may have blown down in the rapturous spring winds or during a summer thunderstorm. Dead pion and juniper trees

that are standing can also be harvested, but make sure to know the common tree species in Taos Ponderosa Pines cant be taken for rewood, as they make fabulous habitat for wildlife.

Remember, if wood is still green, itll need to cure. But that happens rather quickly in the winter if logs are split.

And for those without the means and for those just passing through, wood collectors dot the roads and highways selling rewood from the backs of their truck throughout the fall and winter. Stock up if you can, and enjoy the warmth made possible by hard work and healthy forests.


WHAT IT ISe bald eagle is a bird of prey found in North America, and the birds are perhaps most widely recognized as the National Bird of the United States of America. ey are also held sacred by many Native American tribes. After nearing extinction in the 1980s, the bald eagle has seen numbers surge in recent years. In Northern New Mexico, migrating bald eagles can be found in the winter near lakes and rivers. Along the Ro Grande south of the Orilla Verde Recreation Area, eagles are often spotted in winter months.

WHY ITS SPECIALOne of winters migratory bald eagles looks down on the clear waters of the Ro Grande in search of his next meal. ese eagles will eat trout and other sh, but also prey on the abundant waterfowl that inhabit the Ro Grande del Norte in the winter months. Nick Streit, shing guide, writer and photographer, Taos

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

05BALD EAGLESAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY NICK STREIT


When visiting Taos, there is no shortage of places to stay. Whether youre on a budget or looking for a four-star experience, Northern New Mexico has accommodations to t every situation.

Adobe & Pines Inn4107 State Road 68, Ranchos de Taos(575) 751-0947; adobepines.com

Adobe & Stars Bed & Breakfast584 State Road 150, Arroyo Seco(575) 776-2276; taosadobe.com

Alpine Village Suites100 underbird Road, Taos Ski Valley(575) 776-8540; alpine-suites.com

American Artists Gallery House Bed & Breakfast132 Frontier Road, Taos(575) 758-4446; taosbedandbreakfast.com

Bavarian Lodge100 Kachina Road, Taos Ski Valley(575) 776-8020; thebavarian.com

Burch Street Casitas310 Burch St., Taos(575) 737-9038; casitasintaos.com

Casa Benavides Bed & Breakfast Inn137 Kit Carson Road, Taos(575) 758-1772; taos-casabenavides.com

Casa Gallina613 Callejon Road, Taos(575) 758-2306; casagallina.net

Columbine Inn and Conference Center1288 State Road 150, Taos Ski Valley(575) 776-5723; columbineinntaos.com

Days Inn Taos1333 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 758-2230; daysinn.com

Dreamcatcher B&B416 La Lomita Road, Taos(575) 758-0613; dreambb.com

El Monte Sagrado317 Kit Carson Road, Taos(575) 758-3502; elmontesagrado.com

El Pueblo Lodge412 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos(800) 433-9612; elpueblolodge.com

Hacienda del Sol109 Mabel Dodge Lane, Taos(866) 333-4459; taoshaciendadelsol.com

Hampton Inn Taos1515 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 737-5700; hamptoninn3.hilton.com

Hotel Don Fernando de Taos1005 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 758-4444; donfernandodetaos.com

Hotel La Fonda de Taos108 S Plaza, Taos(575) 758-2211; lafondataos.com

Indian Hills Inn233 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 758-4293; indianhillsinntaosplaza.com

Inger Jirbys Guest Houses207 Ledoux St., Taos(575) 758-7333; jirby.com

Taos LodgingCourtesy El Monte Sagrado Living Resort/Tom Reid

The Taos Mountain rooms at El Monte Sagrado are elegant and comfortable.

LODGING continues on Page 74


your true nature

New Year Retreats at Ghost RanchBring closure to one year and start the new year amidst the expansive, spectacular 21,000 acre landscape of Ghost Ranch. Our New Year Retreats help you consciously culti-vate mindfulness and your life goals. Blend our one-of-a-kind environment with contemplative techniques and set the stage for your new year. Three options to choose from:

Register Now at GhostRanch.org s 505.685.1001

Monday, December 29, 2014Thursday, January 1, 2015s Creating Possibilities: Listening for New Directions in Life s Creating Spaciousness: A New Years Sabbath Retreats The Wheel of Creativity: Taking Your Place in the

Adventure of Life


Taos Goji Ecolodge Historic Cabins

www.taosgoji.com 575-502-0540

THE TAOS NEWS


An idyllic Getaway full of Romance & Charm

Situated in the heart of the Historic District and nestled in a quiet Avenue with peace and privacy,

this charming Bed and Breakfast is the perfect place to escape to and relax after exploring Taos

Plaza, countless galleries and local Museums peppered throughout the downtown area.

309 Juanita Lane Taos 800.645.4803 or 575.758.8164 laposadadetaos.com

TREAT YOURSELF at Four Seasons Resort Rancho EncantadoFor reservations or information, please call (505) 946-5700 or visit fourseasons.com/santafe


Inn on La Loma Plaza315 Ranchitos Road, Taos(800) 530-3040; vacationtaos.com

Inn on the Rio910 Kit Carson Road, Taos(575) 758-7199; innontherio.com

Kachina Lodge413 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos(575) 758-2275; kachinalodge.com

Kandahar Condominiums35 Firehouse Road, Taos Ski Valley(575) 776-2226; kandahar-taos.com

La Posada de Taos Bed and Breakfast309 Juanita Lane, Taos(575) 758-8164; laposadadetaos.com

e Mabel Dodge Luhan House240 Morada Lane, Taos(575) 751-9686; mabeldodgeluhan.com

Old Taos Guesthouse1028 Witt Road, Taos(575) 758-5448; oldtaos.com

Palacio De Marquesa405 Cordoba Street, Taos(855) 846-8267; marquesataos.com

Quail Ridge TaosState Road 150 (Ski Valley Road), El Prado(575) 758-2211; quailridgetaos.com

Quality Inn1043 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 758-2200; qualityinn.com

Rio Hondo Condominims6 Firehouse Road, Taos Ski Valley(575) 776-2646; riohondocondos.com

Sagebrush Inn and Suites1508 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 758-2254; sagebrushinn.com

San Geronimo Lodge1101 Witt Road, Taos(575) 751-3776; sangeronimolodge.com

St. Bernard Hotel and Condominiums15 Twining Road, Taos Ski Valley(575) 776-2251; stbernardtaos.com

Sun God Lodge919 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 758-3162; sungodlodge.com

Super 8 Taos1347 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 758-1088; super8.com

Taos Country Inn Bed & Breakfast720 Karavas Road, Taos(575) 758-4900; taos-countryinn.com

Taos Luxury Property Rentals106 Sutton Place, Taos Ski Valley(575) 737-6901; taospropertyrentals.com

e Historic Taos Inn125 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos(575) 758-2233; taosinn.com

Touchstone Inn110 Mabel Dodge Lane, Taos(575) 770-3246; touchstoneinn.com

Whitten Inn615 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 737-0447; whitteninn.com

Worldmark Taos229 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos(575) 751-3275; worldmarktheclub.com

Taos Lodging

Courtesy Casa GallinaA fully stocked kitchen and dining area are calling cards of the Casa Gallina experience.

Courtesy The Taos InnA comfortable and well-appointed room at The Historic Taos Inn.

LODGING continued from Page 70


Mooncat Fiber

Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.Located in the John Dunn Shops

between Taos Plaza and Bent Street

(575) 758-9341

Specializing in local, hand dyed, hand spun yarns and hand-crafted sterling silver jewelry.

We also sell roving, knitting and crochet notions, books and patterns.

Dont Knit? We have beautiful hand-made garments and accessories for sale.

Stuck on a project? We take pride in our customer service which includes knitting

and crochet instruction and nishing techniques.


WHAT IT ISA National Historic Landmark, San Francisco de Ass was built between 1772 and 1816. Ranchos de Taos residents re-mud (enjarre) the building every June and due to its unique architecture (a blend of Native and Spanish styles) and superb preservation, the church is one of the most photographed and painted buildings in the country. It also serves as an active parish in the Santa Fe Diocese and hosts regular Masses and festivals. e church is open year-round to visitors.

WHY ITS SPECIALI drove by the St. Francis Church one evening as the light was waning. It had snowed the day before. I could discern the aroma of pion and cedar smoke in the air. e glow from the street light, the low light levels and soft shadows, as it grew darker, attracted me to this scene. e celestial world of our Milkyway galaxy overhead, the adobe structure of the church, and the snow, combined to make this image. I go back to the St. Francis Church frequently and am always amazed by its beauty. Whether in a rain puddle reection, accented by an early evening rainbow, or a white pigeon alighting on a bell tower, the St. Francis Church along with the Taos Pueblo best represents Northern New Mexico to me. Geraint Smith, photographer, Taos

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

06SAN FRANCISCO DE ASS MISSION CHURCHAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY GERAINT SMITH


WHAT IT ISTaos Mesa Brewing is a unique brewery and entertainment establishment perched on the mesa near Taos Airport and the Gorge Bridge, o U.S. 64 West. Using green-certied building techniques, the building (a modied Quonset hut) features rainwater catchment and reclaimed materials, including light xtures from an old gymnasium and wall sconces built from deconstructed bookshelves from the closed Borders Bookstore in Santa Fe. Oh, and the place makes quality microbrew and features live entertainment on just about any given night. Find out more at taosmesabrewing.com

WHY ITS SPECIALA beacon on the mesa the busiest joint in the middle of nowhere and a great place for a beer and a Taos sunset. A place where you can meet friends, eat, drink, hear a band and have the most incredible 360 degree views. Geraint Smith, photographer, Taos

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

07TAOS MESA BREWINGAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY GERAINT SMITH


Bent Street, TaosSams Shop

Taoss hippest shop for men, women, and childrens fashion, jewelry, accessories, eclectic gifts, house and kitchenware, books and lots, lots more

103-C Bent Street | Downtown Taos | 575-758-8590One Block North of the Plaza | Across from The Taos Inn

traordinarycitement!

amilyun!


WHAT IT ISLos Comanches is a conquest drama that re-enacts the Spanish armys historic defeat of a famous Comanche chief in Northern New Mexico. Taos performs a Los Comanches on New Years Day, but perhaps the most famous version of the Los Comanches, performed outdoors and on horseback, is the one held every year in the village of Alcalde, some 40 miles southwest of Taos. Performed on the same day as the villages Matachines a celebratory and religious dance that, like Los Comanches, seems to have origins in the Spanish Dance of the Moors and Christians. Alcalde is one of the few non-Native communities who still perform a Matachines. e performances are usually held during Christmas (Dec. 26 or 27), but a call to Santa Ana church in Alcalde (575) 852-4179 will likely yield more details as the date draws near.

WHY ITS SPECIALRoberto Valdez of Alcalde portrays Zapato Cuenta (Beaded Shoe) during the 2009 performance of the 200-year-old ritual enactment of warfare between Hispanos and Comanches. Hostilities between the two ended with a treaty forged by Don Juan Bautista de Anza in 1786. Both Los Comanches and Los Matachines portray the complex ties between groups who fought each other but also took captives whom they raised in their own culture. Steve Fox, writer and photographer, Taos

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

08LOS COMANCHES AND MATCHINES IN ALCALDEAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY STEVE FOX


575.758.1256 . 216B Paseo del Pueblo Nortewww.taosmoxie.com

Fair Trade emphasizes a fair wage and safe workingconditions for producers and also supports sustainablepractices that minimize our environmental footprint.

promoting equality

575.758.1241 . 218A Paseo del Pueblo Nortewww.taosmoxie.com

We carry the largest selection of yarnin Northern New Mexico!

yarn for all occasions

7.5 GoPro tips By Brett Hills

Courtesy Brett HillsTip mount on a pair of 189 K2 Hellbents, shot on Juarez at Taos Ski Valley.

The thrill of a powder day is a sensation like no other. GoPro cameras allow skiers and snowboarders of all levels to capture and share the pure joy of combining snow, mountains and gravity.

As the co-founder of ClaimMYrun a company that provides ski resorts with user-generated video trail maps I have lmed nearly a 1,000 runs over the last four seasons.

Based on my experience, here are 7.5 GoPro tips that can help you create videos with ease.

01Failing to prepare is preparing to fail: An axiom that is true for most things in life certainly holds true when using a GoPro. Practice with the camera prior to arriving at your favorite resort. Learning the functionality, lens angles and distances to shoot from will help ensure that you get videos worth sharing.

02Keep it warm and keep it charged: Especially in colder temperatures, a GoPros battery will tend to drain. When not shooting, I keep my GoPro in my pocket, wrapped in a beanie. Also, make sure it is fully charged just prior to hitting the slopes.



03Stick to the pole: Helmet-mounted cameras best show the direction of movement. Pole-mounted cameras best show the action and emotion of movement. Plus, helmet-mounted footage can quickly become boring for the viewer, whereas a pole-mounted GoPro constantly shows the thrill of skiing and snowboarding.

04Two is always better than one: A second camera is easy to carry and allows you to shoot two perspectives. It will ensure that you will never miss the money shot again. It also provides an insurance policy in case of a low battery on one of the cameras. Earlier GoPro models can be found cheap on sites like craigslist.org for about $100.

05Dont forget the tip: Particularly

on longer boards having a camera mounted on the tip of the ski can produce killer footage and images.

06e more action the better: When using the GoPro Hero3, I use video mode almost exclusively. It allows you to capture stills from the video that are 1MB and you dont have to worry about missing the perfect moment by shooting single frames or burst mode.

07e sun is your friend: GoPro cameras have the amazing ability to capture eye-popping images when shooting into the sun. As

you set up to shoot images or videos, simply line up your subject in between the camera and the sun.

7.5GoPro Studio Edit Software: Its free and easy. How can you beat that? Simply download the software from GoPro.com and high-quality edits are a few clicks away. e software provides the music, eects and cuts. All you have to do is drop in your raw footage.

To view some of Brett Hills best runs in Taos and his latest edits, visit claimmyrun.com/amigos/brett.

Brett Hills is co-founder for ClaimMYrun.com, a website dedicated to ski and snowboard videos.

Kevin RebholtzSkiers on the ridge look for a new line to ski during the 2014 Ridge-A-Thon.

Every year at Taos Ski Valley, a group of skiers and snowboarders embark on a challenge of endurance and fundraising.

e Ben Myers Ridge-A-on began in 1997 to assist with medical expenses for Ben Myers, a beloved Taos skier who died from cancer when he was 26.

e Ridge-A-on helps others like Ben, who struggle with medical costs, said Caitlin Legere, Taos Sports Alliance executive director and Taos Community Foundation communications consultant. It makes a direct impact on the lives of families in our community by covering the cost to purchase durable medical equipment and for non-medical health care needs. e funds raised at this years event will benet Taos Emergency Medicines Fund.

How it worksParticipants can compete in two categories

most funds and most runs.

Participation at the level of our top teams, competing for the most runs, is a testament to strength, endurance, bullishness, pride, and for more than a few, the memory and honor of a dear friend, said Legere. In contrast, teams of many ages and abilities compete to raise the most funds, and may complete just one, or a few hikes over both days, enjoy the weekend on the mountain with friends, and help out a great cause in our community.

One would think that the competition is geared toward young athletes but this isnt always the case.

Our Grannies team is made up of a bigger group of savvy skiers who are hiking and shredding even in their golden years, said Legere. ey enjoy an afternoon hike out and then ski to the Bavarian to enjoy their delicious traditional German fare.

ffeature

SKIING FOR A GOOD CAUSEe Ben Myers Ridge-A-on

By Teresa Dovalpage


Changes on the wayAs the Taos community already knows, there

are many changes taking place at Taos Ski Valley this year.

We are working closely with the sta during their transition to new ownership, and the inevitable changes that come with it, said Legere. ey have always been so supportive of the event and we are looking for opportunities to keep it fresh, exciting and rewarding for our participants.

e lift to Kachina peak is one very obvious change on the landscape of the Ridge-A-on event, yet the mountain itself remains the same

and the hike is no less challenging, or awesome.

So the changes dont actually aect the event as such, with the possible exception of a busier Main Street the run down the face of Kachina, said Legere. But once you come o the top of the peak, down to the top of the lift service, you have to start to come back to earth anyhow.

Other changes this year include a partnership between Taos Community Foundation and Taos Sports Alliance. Taos Sports Alliance will run the event-side planning and marketing, while Taos Community Foundation maintains control over the donations side of the event.

e Ridge-A-oners speakRoss Burns, who skied and worked with

Myers, has participated four times in the competition. ree of them, he has been with his children.

Its amazing to realize you can do things that you didnt think you could do, he said. One day, I nished 21 rounds. And former (New Mexico) Gov. Gary Johnson, who is over 60 years old, completed 48.

RIDGE-A-THON continues on Page 88



Some people compete every year, so many of the participants get to know each other quite well.

ere is a lot of camaraderie, said Burns. is is a friendly, very encouraging crowd.

Eliana Lerman has competed three times and has raised almost $3,000.

Two of those times, my boyfriend Ryan DeBue and I were partners, she said. It was awesome to participate in such a great event with someone else, and also to have their support. During the 2014 season Ridge-A-on, Ryan and I hiked 30 times in total and raised over a $1,000. e best part, for me, is being able to contribute to a good cause while doing what I love.

My rst season skiing at Taos Ski Valley, I grew immensely as a skier, said participant Michael Red Wagener. e Ridge, which at rst was o limits for my abilities, became a rite of passage in my second season, and I couldnt hike it enough. It became an obsession, and I hiked it daily to push my physical abilities and hone my rough self-taught skiing on the steep, tight chutes which descend from it.

at spring a coworker persuaded Wagener to enter the Ridge-A-on, and he won.

I tied Gary Johnsons record! he said. Ive been fortunate to defend that title ve times since, and push the record to 52, but most importantly, raise thousands of dollars for an amazing local cause simply by doing something I love. e event is supported by so many kind, and generous volunteers, that leaving some sweat (and one year, blood) on the Ridge to raise money for such an important fund that helps local people in need is the least I can do.

For more information about the Ridge-A-on visit taoscf.org/ben and raisetheridge.com.

Ways to get involved Participate as an athlete by registering and raising at least $200 in donations/pledges before the event and showing up on one or both days to participate.

Volunteer to assist with the event registration, scoring, support, or set up and take down.

Donate to any team or athlete in any amount, or directly to the Taos Community Foundation.

Sponsor the event. Businesses can donate food and drinks, core support, prizes and gift certicates.

RIDGE-A-THON continued from Page 87

Kevin RebholtzA skier heads up Highline Ridge.

Courtesy Tom WinterA competitor treks his board up the ridge toward Kachina Peak.

By Cody Olivas

Take the steepest, rockiest and overall most challenging terrain that Taos Ski Valley has to oer. Add some competitors with skis and snowboards who think they have what it takes to be one of the best freeriders in the world. en make it convenient for spectators to watch the competitors jump o giant clis and you have the Salomon Extreme Freeride Championships.

For athletes hoping to make it onto the Freeride World Tour (FWT) big mountain skiing and snowboardings biggest stage Taos is a critical stop, and it has been for a while.

Taos became the rst North American four-star Freeride World Qualier (FWQ) in 2009 the top-tier of qualifying events in the European-based FWT. In 2015 its one of only three guaranteed four-star qualiers in North

ffeature

THE SALOMON EXTREME FREERIDE CHAMPIONSHIPSNew Mexicos premierskiing competition


FREERIDE continues on Page 92

America. e other two stops are at Crystal Mountain, Washington, and Kicking Horse in Canada.

Tom Winter, who is the FWTs manager for the Americas, said he expected that number to grow by at least one in North America. Winter played a critical role in the getting Taos to host its rst big mountain competition in 2005. He had previously organized the Colorado Freeride Championships at Berthoud Pass,

Colo. in 2000 and 2001. When Berthoud closed, Winter helped organize competitions at Aspen Snowmass. en, on a trip to Taos for a story, one good look at Taos terrain convinced him, and then-mountain manager Chris Stagg, that Taos should have an extreme big mountain skiing competition.



he inaugural competition started with a bang.

ere was a pretty big group of athletes who showed up that were really good, Winter said about the rst competition. I think it opened everybodys eyes.

Kior Berg was the highlight of that rst comp, jumping o a giant cli at the bottom of Bamboo (which is still referred to as Kiors Nose).

e competition has only progressed since then. Skiers and snowboarders from not only the U.S., but also Canada, Europe and South America come here to compete and Taos biggest clis and its steepest, tightest chutes are routinely ridden over the championships three days.

Many athletes who compete on the FWT rode those lines, which didnt actually look like a line until they rode them, to prove they belonged as competitors on the worlds biggest freeriding stage.

Garrett Altmann, who considers Taos Ski Valley his home mountain, used a podium-nish in 2013 to help him qualify for the FWT in 2014. Taos was one of three four-star events he competed in that year to qualify. Altmann then did good enough on the world tour in 2014 to get invited back for 2015, but competing around the world hasnt diminished his view of the Taos comp.

Taos is one of the highest caliber events both in terms of participants and watching it as a spectator, Altmann said. e challenging and diverse terrain that Taos oers, combined with a rocking crowd and viewing area, really displays the creativity of freeskiers and showcases what we do.

Before Salomon took over as the events title sponsor in 2007, the event was called the New Mexico Extremes. Today, the freeride championships are without a doubt New Mexicos most prestigious skiing competition.

FREERIDE continued from Page 91

Photo courtesy Tom WinterJesse Maddox rides a chute and then launches off a cliff at the bottom of Kachina Peak.


THE TAOS NEWS


WHAT IT ISe La Fonda Hotel on the south side of Taos Plaza is famous for its collection of D. H. Lawrence paintings. It was started in 1820 by the family of Charles Bent, former governor of New Mexico, as a mercantile store that also rented rooms. e history of Taos and the Plaza is reected in the old photographs and memorabilia that greet the visitor. Today, La Fonda houses a full hotel and restaurant, and it continues to be a gathering place for artists, writers, lm celebrities and political dignitaries.

WHY ITS SPECIALAs the winter holidays approach and snow blankets Taos, the hotel serves as a welcoming retreat for tourists and locals alike. I like photographing the icons of Taos in various seasons with their everlasting allure. Terry ompson, photographer, Taos

TAOS SCRAPBOOK

09TAOS PLAZA AND LA FONDA HOTELAS PHOTOGRAPHED BY TERRY THOMPSON

o get by in this life, one must find something to eat and something to drink. These are requirements of the human species, offering more than just some nice flavors food and drink are life sustaining.

Indeed, eating and drinking are serious business. That said, nobody said it couldnt be a whole lot of fun. The Taos area has a lot to offer in terms of culinary experiences (those that transcend mere survival on so many levels).

While coffee is not necessarily crucial to ones very existence, to some of us its pretty darn important. Mel James takes us on a tour of Taos coffeehouses on page 100. And likewise, if we go without beer and wine, we will not disappear from the face of the earth. The planet wouldnt be as fun though. Check out some of the beer and wine-centric events our area has to offer this winter on page 104.

Keeping in that realm of frivolous beverage intake, J.R. Logan gives us a rundown on the Iconic Beverages of Taos Ski Valley on page 106. A beverage called an Optimator certainly sounds like it would add to your life force, doesnt it?

Getting back to food, Yvonne Pesquera offers readers the ins and outs of the Snow Coach Dinner Tour in Red River on page 110. If riding a snowcat to your destination restaurant isnt your thing and if it isnt, whats wrong with you? then check out Andrew Oxfords story about the best winter dishes Taos restaurants have to offer this season. Youll find that enticing nugget on page 112.

So get your taste of Taos this winter. It might save your life, but it should add something to your quality of life as well.


Food & DrinkGet yourself a taste of Taos



Wired?Wired? Caf, located just behind Albertsons on La Posta, has a casual, meditative vibe. In addition to a good selection of coees and teas, they oer bagels, muns and burritos. In nicer weather, you can sit outside in the garden, but the interior has a garden feel, as well, with an indoor shpond and lots of plants and sunlight. It has free Wi-Fi and even private rooms if you need to conduct business in a quieter atmosphere.

Taos Java Looking for convenience? Check out Taos Java, which boasts the only coee shop drive-thru in town. In addition to serving Ohoris beans (roasted in nearby Santa Fe), one of its specialties is creativity try some new avors here, like a mocha spiced with orange, cinnamon and clove oil.

e Coee Spot If youre wandering through El Prado (the north end of Taos) and nd yourself craving some grub, then make your way into e Coee Spot. It oers a full menu for both breakfast and lunch. If your stomach is eating itself from the inside out, then dive into a Crime Stopper, a unique and very lling breakfast sandwich.

Elevation CoeeA favorite spot for locals, also in El Prado, Elevation is a friendly place with a clean, modern feel. Its coee is spot-on. e sta takes pride in each brew and it shows not only in avor, but also in the deliciously decorative latte art. Look for the giant red coee cup on the side of the road.

World Cup If youre looking for something a little Bohemian, stop by World Cup, located on Taos Plaza, just o Paseo. It has limited indoor seating, but on a nice day, one can have a seat on the benches that face the busiest intersection in town. Its a great place for people watching, and for meeting new folks, as the bench-style seating encourages conversations with fellow coee connoisseurs.

KOKOWant something with a little sophistication? Try KOKO Coee, Deli & Carryout. In addition to a ne selection of coee drinks, it has delicious grab and go, including house-made salads, sushi, pies and more. Have a seat for lunch, or take it with you.

The CoffeehouseBy Mel A. James

A Taos-sized cup of cozy

Whether you fancy a dark roast depth charge, or a sweet and chocolaty concoction with whipped cream on top, you can nd a Taos barista making it the right way. If you want a counterculture vibe or prefer a hip modern feel, you can nd that spot in Taos as well. Dont be afraid to explore. ere are more coeehouses in Taos than mentioned here and each is worth checking out. And each one has its own unique air, a style to supplement the brews.

Geraint SmithThe red cup marks the entrance to Elevation Coffee in El Prado.


For nearly as long as human beings have wondered the earth, man has also been toying with fermentation. First, presumably, by accident, and later, in very high volumes using complicated machinery and processes. In the Middle Ages, many people resorted to beer and wine as a healthy alternative to water, since the alcohol killed many of the microbes that caused deadly diseases. Today, every corner of the globe has people brewing beer and growing grapes to turn into wine. Northern New Mexico is no exception. Here are a few events this winter celebrating some of our favorite beverages.

Taos Winter Wine Festivale 29th annual Taos Winter Wine Festival is a four-day event (Jan. 28-31) that takes place in the town of Taos as well as at Taos Ski Valley.

is festival will give visitors and locals the chance to experience superlative skiing and ne wine and cuisine. e event features seminars, wine dinners from vintners and chefs, aprs-ski tastings, and both Reserve and Grand Tastings. e festival will showcase 36 dierent world-class wineries along with 12 fantastic restaurants in the area.To sign up for the seminars, the Reserve Tasting, and the Grand Tasting, visit taoswinterwinefest.com. e wine dinners and aprs-skiing tastings are priced separately. Reservations should be made by contacting the restaurants directly. is is a 21+ event.

Brew Masters FestivalTaos Ski Valley hosts an afternoon of sampling regional beers and local food during the 19th annual Brew Masters Festival on Saturday, Dec. 20, from 4:30 to 7 p.m.

e event will be held in Tenderfoot Katies and the Martini Tree, located at the base of Chair 1. Admission is $25, and includes a souvenir sampling glass, food and fun. Tickets may be bought at the door the day of the event. e Brew Masters Festival is a 21-and-over event, no infants or children. Call (575) 776-2291 or visit skitaos.org for more information.

Spring Beer FestivalTo celebrate the changing of the seasons, Taos Ski Valley will also be hosting the Spring Beer Festival, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. on March 7. Come enjoy beers from across the Southwest and sample food from some of Taos nest restaurants. e event will be held in Tenderfoot Katies Cafeteria and the Martini Tree Bar, located at the bottom of Chair 1. Admission is $25. e Spring Beer Festival is a 21-and-over event, no infants or children allowed. Visit skitaos.org for more information.

Celebrating the drinkBeer and wine festivals please the palate

Tina LarkinA group of bottles wait for patrons at the 2014 Winter Wine Festival at Taos Ski Valley.


Blonde Bear Tavern at the Edelweiss Lodge and SpaIf youre looking for sophisticated aprs ski, duck into the Blonde Bear Tavern, which boasts a meticulously crafted wine menu and a host of classy cocktails. For something that says elegance in a sultry whisper, try the bars traditional Manhattan, made with Taos Lightning Rye Whiskey from the Los Luceros Distillery in nearby Alcalde. Quintessentially rened, a true Manhattan at the Blonde Bear is stirred, never shaken, in order to perfectly blend the drink without bruising the spirit.

Hotel St. BernardOn a cold powder day, the best way to warm up is with a St. Bernard at the Hotel St. Bernard. e namesake drink of this iconic base area lodge is hot chocolate with Myerss Rum, Kahlua, with a oater of Wild Turkey and topped with whipped cream. Its a hearty hot

cocoa with some oomph. When youre getting o at the top of Chair 6, cursing numb toes and a windburned face, the thought of cozying up at the lodges copper-covered re place, feet propped up on the hearth, cradling a steaming St. Bernard is the stu of winter dreams.

e Bavarian Lodgee only civilized way to end a long day hiking the ridge is to park yourself in the sun on the patio of the Bavarian and rehash the days exploits over a giant mug of German beer. Sticking to its guns as unequivocally and authentically Deutsche, the restaurant carries beers from the Weltenburg Kloster brewery, including the aptly named Asam (pronounced awesome) Bock a strong, dark Doppelbock that goes down perfectly with a mixed sausage plate as you soak in the view. Be sure to get it in a 36-ounce mas (mug) so you and your friends can make exaggerated toasts like its Oktoberfest in February. Prost!

Stray Dog CantinaFor those traveling in packs and looking for a party, try a Prickly Pear Margarita at the Stray Dog Cantina. e signature margarita is Sauza Blanco tequila with a splash of prickly pear juice. Its exotic enough to pique your interest and smooth enough to have a second. If cactus juice is a little too amboyant for you, try the Snowmelt a draft Dos Equis capped with a scoop of frozen margarita. Its as good as it sounds, and its a great conversation starter if your trying to woo the snow bunny at the other end of the bar. Both drinks go great with a heaping plate of nachos.

Martini Tree Bare best way to shake o the aftermath of a wild Saturday night is to amble up to the Martini Tree Bar for the Sunday Morning Bloody Mary Buet. From noon to 4 p.m., the bar oers up a veritable Eden of fresh xins think of a salad bar with vodka to create your own customized bloody mary masterpiece. If you pile in enough olives, celery, peppers and other accoutrement, its a drink and a meal that pairs well with a football game, a burger, or for those really suering, a couple of aspirin.

Quench your thirst By J.R. Logan

e iconic beverages of Taos Ski Valley

The watering holes of Taos Ski Valley oer enough diversity to make even the most ardent teetotaler think twice. From towering steins of German brew to inviting mugs of hot chocolate for adults, Ski Valley establishments have gone way beyond the average post-powder libation. Heres a what-and-when list of the must-have drinks at TSV.

Geraint SmithThe beers at The Bavarian are big, delicious and worthy of a ski break.


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COZY MOUNTAIN EXPERIENCERed River Ski area oers memorableSnow Coach Dinner Tours

By Yvonne Pesquera

SNOWCOACH continues on Page 110

Red River Ski Area has a terric restaurant called e Ski Tip at the top of its mountain. When the lifts are running, hungry skiers and snowboarders head to e Tip to refuel before heading back out to the slopes.

After the lifts close, however, visitors can still have dinner at e Ski Tip provided they have a reservation for a Snow Coach Dinner Tour.

Billed as a cozy mountain experience, the snow coach only seats a maximum of 12 people per tour, so advanced reservations are a must. Because it is a customized experience, reservations can only be made by telephone: (575) 754-2223.

Tours take place every day from Dec. 22 to Jan. 6, and then every ursday through Sunday through March. ere are two departure times from the Lift House, 5:30 and 7:15 p.m.

At e Tip, diners can choose to eat individually at private tables or family style. is is a great setting for a romantic dinner for two, or for a group of friends getting together, or for a multi-generational family creating new memories.

We have had marriage proposals, and generations of families enjoying the reconnection on the tour and at dinner, says Karen Kelly, director of marketing at Red River Ski Area.

Given that this is such an incredible experience, it is worth noting that you can rent the entire snow coach for your groups special event. Special pricing is available. But it bears repeating that advanced reservations are essential.

Courtesy Red River Ski AreaAttention diners: Your snow coach awaits.


FINE WINE & LIQUOR

What is the full snow coach experience like? By 5 p.m., winter nights are very dark. And because the lifts are closed, the ski resort can be quiet.But Red River Ski Area has a base elevation

of 8,750 feet. So in the frosty night sky, the stars shine bright and close overhead. With the help of employees, guests step up into the snow coach. Everyone is abuzz with excitement to be on the mountain after dark.

e snow coach is heated, but warm footwear and clothing are recommended. Temperatures in the evening can be well below freezing.

e snow coach ascends 1,600 vertical feet to e Ski Tip Restaurant. And the journey is a good, fun part of the trip. e friendly guide shares

history and facts about the ski area and the town such as the areas rich mining history, complete with gambling halls and barroom brawls.

e snow coach also has plenty of windows with an outside searchlight. You will see other Sno-Cat machines grooming the corduroy terrain on the mountain.

Indeed, fresh snow may be falling or you will see the Snow Flake Factory, which is where Red River Ski Area makes snow.

e tour guide will use his searchlight to point out places of interest and you may spot nocturnal wildlife.

At e Ski Tip Restaurant, Chef Kai Dunbar and his sta take over from there. A three-course dinner is provided, with three entrees to choose from. Non-alcoholic beverages are included, and beer and wine are available for purchase.

e Tip has a rustic feel with its wooden beams and antler chandeliers. Yet it is a rened dining experience with tablecloths and candlelight.

After having a delicious meal (topped o with a scrumptious dessert), you return to the heated snow coach for the descent. e lights of town twinkle in the distance as the snow coach journeys down the front side of the mountain.

Round-trip times vary due to conditions, but the average trip takes about two hours.

SNOWCOACH continued from Page 108

Snow Coach Dinner Tours at Red River Ski Area

Advanced reservations are requiredCall (575) 754-2223

Courtesy Red River Ski AreaThe snow coach, taking a rest in between Snow Coach Dinner Tours.


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812B Paseo del Pueblo Norte - Taos - (575) 758 -1226

French Toast Citrus Grilled Mahi Mahi

Breakfast & LunchTuesday - Sunday / 8am - 3pm

Dinner with Chef Erica Miller(beginning December 4, 2014)

Thursday - Saturday / 5pm

gutiztaos.com

French Bread, Croissants & PastriesMade fresh daily.


Taos Favorite is Back!

Casa de Valdez Restaurant is back after 10 years and is proud to continue serving

our famous Hickory Smoked Barbecue, the nest Steaks, and Northern New Mexican Food.

Full Service BarFamous House MargaritasHouse Made Wine Coolers

Casa de Valdez The Famous A-frame 2.5 miles South of the Plaza

1401 Paseo del Pueblo Sur 575.758.8777

The dish is both light and rich, sweet and savory, according to Annette Kratka, owner and general manager of El Meze.Inspired by a heritage cookbook, chef Frederick Muller has been serving the dish to the wintertime clientele at El Meze for two years.

A showcase of earthy local ingredients, the chicos come from Velarde and are roasted in an horno in Ranchos de Taos and the fresh corn shoots come from Charybda Farms in Arroyo Hondo.

El Meze is located at 1017 Paseo del Pueblo Norte in El Prado. Phone: 751-3337; elmeze.com

Sugar Nymphs BistroNothing quite soothes in the wintertime like a stew.

Kai Harper, chef of this Peasco eatery, describes a Zuni stew as a favorite dish for the fall and winter. Made from local calabacitas when they are still

around, she says the stew includes sweet corn, butternut squash, colored peppers, green beans, fire-roasted tomatoes, pinto beans, cumin, smoked paprika, cilantro and ancho chiles.

This dish is great with cheesy polenta, mashed potatoes or chicken sausage, Harper adds.

What we like about making this dish is that a lot of the produce is available from local farms and gardens in the area, she explains.

An alumnus of the famed San Francisco restaurant Greens, Harper is a big believer in working local ingredients into the menu year-round.

We get a lot of things from Peasco, Dixon and Chamisal, she explains.

And for starters or an accompaniment Harper recommends a simple salad of organic lettuces, honey crisp apples, goat cheese, toasted walnuts and maple vinaigrette.

Sugar Nymphs Bistro is located at 15046 State Road 76 in Peasco.

(575) 587-0311; sugarnymphs.com

winter menus continued from Page 114

Tina LarkinKi Holste and Kai Harper at Sugar Nymphs Bistro in Peasco.



By Steve Tapia

You dont see certain critters out in the wild often because they are naturally secretive or because they live o-the-beaten path. at doesnt mean they arent around. Below are four examples of elusive animals.

Spadefoot Toadis critter lives underground for most of its

life, so it is hidden by its very nature. e toad only comes to the surface when moisture allows, and in a dry environment like Northern New Mexico, that is very rare. e spadefoot toad needs the monsoon season because it comes to the wet surface to lay its eggs, which hatch and become adults in 11 to 13 days. As suggested by their name, these toads have hard skin paddles on their hind feet, which helps them dig tunnels underground in which to spend the winter.

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WINTERWILDLIFEOutta Sight, Outta Mind

Creatures that live most of their lives underground are fossorial, which means they are adapted to digging. And one more thing, the New Mexico spadefoot toad is the Ocial Amphibian for the State of New Mexico.

e next three critters are also not seen very often in the wild unless you frequent the high country, 11,000 feet or higher.

Snowshoe Hare e snowshoe hare is smaller and shyer

than most hares, according to the authors of Mammals of North America. e snowshoe


hides in thickets by day and comes out to feed at night. It feeds on alpine grasses, leaves and berries in the summer, and switches over to bark and conifer buds in winter. Named for its large and densely-furred hind feet, which act as snowshoes that allow the hare to walk on the snows surface, snowshoe hares go through population cycles, peaking and then crashing in about 10-year intervals.

PikaAccording to Mammals of North America,

the American pika can be found on rock piles and talus slopes of mountain tops in Western North

America, where their sharp-whistled calls are often heard well before the pika is seen. Each individual pika defends its own territory among the rocks and spends much time sitting motionless from a high vantage point where it can watch for intruders or predators. Pikas harvest grasses and carry them back to their territories for storage to feed on during the long winters. e presence of little hay piles among the rocks is a good sign pikas live nearby. Pikas do not hibernate, but remain active in their burrows during the winter and may be seen sunning themselves atop the rocks on clear winter days.

White-tailed Ptarmigan Paul Sterry and Brian E. Small describe this bird in

Birds of Western North America as a hardy, plump-bodied ptarmigan and the smallest of its kind in North America. e white tail is diagnostic at all times of the year, and in winter it has pure white plumage with black eyes and a dainty black bill. Both in winter and in summer, this bird is well-camouaged with its surroundings, which is called cryptic coloration. e bird is locally common, but their numbers naturally uctuate. ey favor rocky mountain slopes and willow scrub above tree-line. A real eort is required to nd this species; consider yourself lucky if you succeed.

A white snowshoe hare in winter.

Skiing and snowboarding are incredible activities, fun, invigorating and social all at the same time. But for some of us, its just not our thing. Or, for those of us who are perpetual ski bums, there are still days when the conditions arent right, or we just dont feel like making the trek up to the mountain (30 minutes, oh no!).

So this section is dedicated to those times when hitting the mountain just isnt an option. Weve got lots of live music (page 122), some books to cozy up to (page 126) and some important games to watch (page 130).

If youre looking for something a little more exciting, take a hike or even go camping in the wilderness of winter (page 134) or go snowshoeing (page 146) or sledding and tubing (page 148). And yes, I realize, at least one of these things is related to skiing and snowboarding, but if youre stuck in a rut on the mountain, you can stay home and read a book, or you can get back up there and let some of TSVs world-class instructors help improve yours kills with a Snowsports Week (page 136).

Weve also got some things to keep the kiddos busy (page 142) and a little dab of pure relaxation with a piece on local hot springs (page 140).

So whenever the mountain (no, not that mountain) is definitely not calling you, take a break and try one of these activities. You might be glad you did.


9 Ways to ENJoy

a taos WINtER


01LIVE MUSICOf course, some of this is due to the reputation of Taos as a destination. But these musicians wouldnt come through Taos if there werent venues and promoters who also had equally strong reputations.

The Taos area has a number of restaurants, bars, and dance venues that feature live music. Check Tempo magazine in The Taos News or the taosnews.com for a weekly calendar of events. Listed are some of the most popular places to catch a show.

Alley CAntinAFeatures the best of local and touring bands.121 Teresina Lane, Taos(575) 758-2121; alleycantina.com

Bull O the WOOds sAlOOnHosts live music and a full-service bar.401 E. Main St., Red River(575) 754-2593

el MOnte sAgrAdO living resOrt & spAFeatures live music several times a week.317 Kit Carson Road, Taos(575) 758-3502; elmontesagrado.com

eskes BreW puBHandcrafted brews, quality food, and live entertainment in a historic setting.106 Des Georges Lane, Taos(575) 758-1517; eskesbrewpub.com

hArWOOd MuseuM Of ArtThe host venue for the Taos Chamber Music Group, as well as other eclectic performances.238 Ledoux St., Taos(575) 758-9826; harwoodmuseum.org

hOtel st. BernArdFanciful food coupled with live music. 112 Sutton Place, Taos Ski Valley(575) 776-2251; stbernardtaos.com

ktAOs sOlAr CenterHome of Northern New Mexicos largest dance floor and premier location for touring bands and local artists.9 State Road 150, El Prado(575) 758-5826; ktaos.com

MArtini tree BArThe perfect venue for aprs ski food and entertainment.Taos Ski Valley Resort Center(575) 776-2291, ext. 1285; skitaos.org/content/dining

MidtOWn lOungeOffers a full bar, pool tables, flat-screen TVs, and live music.680 State Road 522, Arroyo Hondo(575) 776-1680; midtownms.com

MOtherlOde sAlOOnFeatures country and rock n roll music.400 E Main Street, Red River(575) 754-6280; texasredsteakhouse.com

Old MArtinAs hAllHosts live events that range from country two-step to tango.4140 State Road 68, Ranchos de Taos(575) 758-3003; oldmartinashall.com

peAsCO theAtre COlleCtiveOffers a wide array of local, national, and international performers and artists.15046 State Road 75, Peasco(575) 587-2726; wisefoolnewmexico.org or penascotheatre.org

sABrOsO restAurAntFeatures live entertainment in the bar known as Secos living room.470 State Road 150, Arroyo Seco(575) 776-3333; sabrosotaos.com

sAgeBrush inn CAntinAThis hotel bar primarily features country western music.1508 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575) 758-2254; sagebrushinn.com

tAOs COMMunity AuditOriuMProvides events ranging from performing to visual and media arts.145 Paseo del Pueblo Norte, Taos(575) 758-0150; tcataos.org

the Burger stAnd @ tAOs Ale hOuseComplete with handcrafted beer and burgers, this ale house offers live music from rock to folk and soul.401 Paseo Pueblo Norte, Taos(575) 758-5522; taosburgersandbeer.com

tAOs MesA BreWingA microbrewery that features handcrafted draught beer, wine, homemade food, and local, regional and national touring acts.220 ABC Mesa Road, El Prado(575) 758-1900; taosmesabrewing.com

the AdOBe BAr At tAOs innKnown as the Living Room of Taos, the Adobe Bar features free live music every night.125 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos(575)758-2233; taosinn.com

For an area with a relatively small population, its somewhat impressive the number of regional and national touring acts that come through Taos, not to mention the local talent as well.

Tina LarkinHip hop artist Ceekay Jones performing at KTAOS Solar Center summer of 2014.


Red Riv

Documents

Taos Winter Visitor Guide 2015