THE ROAD TO TAOS: New Mexico Explored by a Ginger

Let’s clarify one thing before we get our hands dirty. 4:00 a.m. shuttle rides to the airport SUCK. That is, unless you have a shuttle driver like Byron. Byron is a mix between John Goodman’s character in The Big Lebowski and that creepy uncle that your parents always warned you never to be alone with. However, these semi-negative/semi-awesome qualities did entertain me as we blew through red lights and talked about the “myth” that is global warming. In regard to the latter topic, I must insist that I should’ve suspected Byron’s answer predictable, as the first thing I saw when I slumped into the early morning shuttle was a prayer card that looked like it came with a set of complimentary rosary beads. You know the kind you get in the mail from The Church of Latter Day Saints? Yeah, the ones you immediately throw away to be forever damned to the eternal depths. For my own personal (and security) reasons, Byron wasn’t informed of my profession, but I like to think that even if he was, his answer would not have faltered. Byron, you stubborn bastard.

He did manage to get me to the airport at a reasonable hour though, and I was off to New Mexico for a six day media trip through New Mexico’s finest frosty terrain. Two days at Ski Santa Fe, a day at Angelfire, a day at Red River and ending with two days at one particular resort that you wouldn’t expect. Taos. That’s right you little grubs, the one and only, the infamous, the mountain you all said you’d “never ride” cause since the inception of our sport, it has been banned. Well, you try and pass up an opportunity to be one of the only snowboarders in the world to ever legally ride there. You’d do it. Come on………….

Rachel and Jennifer of Ballantine’s PR booked us a to-the-t itinerary and this trip promises to be beneficial to both you and I you see. I snowboard, then I scribe some jargon on these here electronic pages, and you have the pleasure of reading my crap. In all seriousness though, I’m currently in Santa Fe New Mexico and this place is unbelievable underrated, if it’s even rated at all. This little city of roughly 65,000 inhabitants hosts some of the best culture, food, music and nightlife this side of the Mississippi, so if you don’t know where Santa Fe is, pull out a map, tack said area, and plan a vacation here. On top of all the galleries, farmer’s markets, restaurants and hub-bub that accompanies any major US city, you’re only 25 miles from some of the best terrain in the Southwestern United States. Visit www.skinewmexico.com for the lowdown on the high city. Crap, that was lame. Sorry.

Accompanying me on this trip is Transworld Snowboarding editor Kurt Hoy. We have a lot planned in the coming days, so stay tuned to www.snowboardermag.com for the latest video updates, photo galleries and heart-stopping prose that is sure to be delivered by me, T. Bird, as I hit the road and uncover this hidden gem buried in the valley in my quest to shred the un-shredded. And look into New Mexico, seriously, cause it’s a way cooler place than the original Mexico. Plus, gypsies don’t try to sell you Chiclets in the street. Hasta la vista internetters.

Love,
T. Bird