In true snowboarder form Dan Downing ducked a rope to hit this little waterfall cliff. Nice work upholding the spirit and integrity of snowboarders everywhere.

Taos Open To Snowboarders: Hippie Ghetto Fabulous

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3/26/08
Words and Photos: Aaron Dodds

Love it or hate it, Taos is open to snowboarding! Taos Ski Valley opened to snowboarding March 19, 2008 after decades of denial, and I for one am going to reap the rewards. With over 3,200 vertical feet of shredding and over half of that terrain landing in the advance category it is one sweet place to ride. I’m no stranger to Taos. Growing up a mere 200 miles away, I poached and skied here back in 2000. I knew from that day on that when it opened I would be one of the first to ride it legally.

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8 years later, I was given that opportunity and I jumped on it like a virgin on prom night. And let me tell you, it rode much better than a virgin does. Littered with cliffs, gullies, and steepness there are not many mountains that even compare to this place. Jackson Hole is one place that comes to mind when I think of a steep mountain with a lot of exposure. I feel that the inbounds terrain and choice of lines exceeds what Jackson Hole’s inbounds terrain has to offer, and that my friend is a pretty bold statement.

There is a lot of energy here too. Between the hippies and the Native Americans this place is very spiritual, and you’ll surely meet some characters along the way. They also get snow and lots of it. Go check their website skitaos.org right now and you’ll find that they are sitting with over a 100 inch base. Some places don’t even see that much snow all year! So Like I said earlier, love it or hate it, they’re open, and I for one can’t wait for my next visit.

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Reader Comments

Posted Wed Mar26, 2008, 8:48 PM — By bob

Earlier this afternoon I read about some guy "Floating an Indy" (the photo was of a guy doing a nasty frontside air) and now this guy's claiming Taos over Jackson Hole? Seriously, you guys sound like a bunch of kooks. Your 'Add a comment' isht doesnt even work right either

Posted Thu Mar27, 2008, 12:33 AM — By Dodds

Um.....it looks like you are actually the "kook" because I never claimed Taos over Jackson Hole. Where did I say that? I spend much of my winter at Jackson Hole and it is undeniable that Jackson is sick. I said that Taos' "inbounds" terrain and choice of lines is better. If you consider the back country gates Jackson has to offer it is "overall" a better mountain. Go to Taos and see for yourself before you make yourself look so foolish.

Posted Thu Mar27, 2008, 2:09 AM — By ridehigh

Mt.Hood currently has 209'' and has gotten 656'' since sept. I feel sorry for anyone bragging about 100'' base. Glad to hear you are embracing the haters so quickly though. No time for grudges when there's good terrain waiting and plenty of a hole skiers to piss off.

Posted Thu Mar27, 2008, 3:02 AM — By Dodds

I guess since Transworld dropped the ability to leave a comment all the haters are here at Snowboardermag.com. Well welcome to the site. I do however feel bad for anyone who has to ride Mt Hood meadows all winter. Just a little flat.

Posted Thu Mar27, 2008, 3:32 PM — By ridehigh

Add another 12'' with more on the way, aand if all you want to do is go down straight verticals then you are right, hood is not the place to go but you can definitely find plenty of steepness if you know where you are going. And I'm not riding just meadows and it is not just during the winter up here dude and I don't see how I was hating with my last comment, just pointing out that we have more than double what you were bragging about. How many parks does Taos have by the way?

Posted Fri Mar28, 2008, 3:21 PM — By Rockstar

gnar gnar

Posted Sat Mar29, 2008, 3:58 AM — By Dodds

I'm in AK & the internet is not so sweet, so I'm sorry for not getting back to you sooner. On that note, check out our next volume, dropping sometime in July about how you can ride AK on a minimal budget. Sound like you might be into this sort of thing. Anyways to answer your questions. Let me see here...Okay. You were kinda hating. Think about it. You told me you feel sorry for me. This is where you look at the comment you wrote. Question 2...Um Taos has 1 park. Some food for thought. Here is the snow reports from five fairly well known resorts from all over the country. All figures are in inches. Sun Valley, ID-84 Vail. CO-58 Snowshoe, WV-38 Loon Mt, NH-58 Heavenly, CA-76-100 You obviously live in the Northwest. It snows a lot there. So much that Mt Baker holds the world record for most snow in one season. 1,140 inches to be exact. Most other regions of the world don't recieve that much snow. My point, Taos receives a lot of snow in the braod scheme of things. Bear in mind 100 i

Posted Sat Mar29, 2008, 4:02 AM — By Dodds

I got cut off. Bear in mind 100 inches = 8 feet. That is all.

Posted Sat Mar29, 2008, 8:46 AM — By Shocker

Young Jedis, please put the egos in check. I'm afraid you're missing the point, love it or hate it Taos is now accessible. Does it bother me that were against snowboarders for so long? Yes? I've been reading about this BS for 15 years. At the same time I am willing to leave the politics in my tracks because people make mistakes. On that note, don't get so caught in the grooming that you forget to see the line. The goal is to push for 100% accessibility, and Taos proves our voices could not be ignored. Yes, we still have work to do, but the best revenge is massive success. Peace...

Posted Sat Mar29, 2008, 2:34 PM — By Dodds

Thanks for the positivity. It is few and far between at snowboard web sites these days. As far as my ego, I assure you it is pretty damn small if any at all. I was just trying to keep these kids in check. Someone trying to say 100" of snow is not worthy, is just a ridiculous statement. That is a hefty base for just about any mountain. And yes, we did get a little stayed from the greater point. Taos is now accessible, and if you read my story you will also see that I too don't care that they were closed to snowboarders for so long. The important thing is that they are now open. If there is anything I've learned in my days, its that life is too short to be pissed off, or to hold a grudge over something so petty. Go out and get some. Maybe even at Taos if you have a chance. I know I will be doing just that.

Posted Sat Mar29, 2008, 8:20 PM — By Frederick

BRUCE TAOS FOR LIFE!!! SEE YOU AT THE MARTINI TREE!!

Posted Wed Apr 2, 2008, 12:20 AM — By Gunson

Yea Dodds! looks sick

Posted Wed Apr 2, 2008, 4:15 PM — By a2zBoardShop

Taos is in the desert, desert snow is a zillion times better than northwest, mt. hood mashed potatoes. If you can't push more than 6 inches into the base, wtf does it matter if you have 600+ inches...aside from the fact Timberline will go off this summer..

Posted Thu Apr 3, 2008, 5:19 PM — By wolfcrik loc

is there still kind of a negative vibe from those grumpy ass skiers there?

Posted Sat May17, 2008, 8:30 AM — By nice air force ones

Very helpful, thanks!! discount air force 1

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