Exercising Speed Control – Ski Tip #1

Almost every skier has experienced a moment of panic due to loss of speed control.  Thankfully, there are exercises that will help you maintain control on the steepest of slopes.  One good source of helpful speed control techniques is Martin Heckelman’s The New Guide to Skiing.

Heckelman relies on timed, alternating foot pressure to the downhill ski in order to control the distance between turns and thus, control your speed.

Some of Heckman’s methods of  applying and releasing foot pressure to control speed include:

  • Thinking of having two sponge balls underfoot and pretending to alternately compress and release the balls.
  • Compress and release the balls with a purposeful rhythm, left, right, left, right, etc.
  • Sing a repetitive tune to help create fluid ski compressions and releases.

Looking for a Taos Ski Valley vacation rental?  We manage a large selection of some of the best lodging in the Taos Ski Valley plus a full concierge service that provides ski rentals, lift tickets, lessons, lodging and other recreational options.  Check out our Taos Ski Specials.

Posted in downhill skiing tips | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Pre-Season Ski Conditioning Series

Get ready for an El Nino year of skiing in Taos with our pre-season yoga conditioning series.  Classes will be held each Tuesday between Oct 16th and  November 14th at the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa from 5:15 – 6:30pm.

2012 Pre-season Ski Conditioning Series

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Boy’s Ski Wear 2012 -2013

If you haven’t already, it is time to plan your family ski vacation.  Taos may be the perfect spot to enjoy alpine skiing and short lift lines – but ski in ski out vacation rentals are hard to come by during season.  Be sure to book early.

Once your space is booked it’s time to suit up the family for some winter fun.  Check out some of the hottest trends for boys this season:

Posted in Ski fashions 2012 - 2013, Uncategorized, skiing vacations | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Hottest Ski Fashions for Girls – 2012/2013

Looking for the hottest new ski fashions for your budding enthusiast?  Check out these 2012/2013 styles.

Girls Ski Fashions

Posted in Ski fashions 2012 - 2013 | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Whitewater Rafting – Taos, NM

Are you looking for family friendly summer activities during your stay in the Taos Ski Valley? Look no further than Los Rios River Runners. They offer safe, fun and exciting adventures down one of the world’s most well known rivers – the Rio Grande.

The ½ day Racecourse adventure is a great introduction to the thrills of whitewater rafting and the scenic beauty of Northern New Mexico. Thrill seekers meet at the Rio Grande visitor’s center in Pilar and are shuttled to the launch sites along the Rio Grande.

After a brief but thorough safety talk – groups are formed and placed with guides (our personal favorite is Leslie). Thus begins a two or three hour journey into a rift valley formed some twenty nine million years ago. Class 1, 2 and 3 rapids provide plenty of adventure while guides provide a wealth of information about the surrounding geology and wildlife. This trip is sure to spawn future river guides.

Be sure to speak with our Taos Ski Valley vacation rental concierge about Taos whitewater rafting packages.

Posted in Summer Activities in Taos, Taos Ski Valley Vacation Rentals | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Romancing the Stars

Star Gazing in the Taos Ski Valley

Taos Ski Valley DiningThe Blonde Bear Tavern will be serving a gourmet dinner followed by star gazing on two moonless nights this summer: August 11th and September 8th at 7:00 pm. Geoff Goins, owner of Night Sky Adventures, will bring the universe to our guests through one of the largest telescopes in New Mexico.

Night Skies in Taos**The annual Perseids Meteor Shower – the most famous of all meteor showers – will be peaking on the evening of August 11th. Each year as the Swift -Tuttle comet orbits the Sun it sheds a long debris stream along its orbit. When Earth travels through the path of this debris a meteor shower is born. During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour.

The Menu

The prix fixe menu is Piedmont-inspired – an Italian region also known for its spectacular Alpine night skies. And the dates correspond with Taos Ski Valley’s local chanterelle season – so if Mother Nature cooperates, these fabulous mushrooms will be a part of the menu.

Insalata di Lattuga con Pinoli e Parmigiano
Lettuce Salad with Toasted Pine Nuts, Parmigiano Shavings and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Fagiano con Chanterelle e Funghi Selvatici
Pheasant with Taos Ski Valley Chanterelle and Wild Mushroom Sauce

Gnocchi alla Parigina
Parisian-style Gnocchi

Verdure di Stagione
Seasonal Vegetables

Composta di Frutti di Bosco con Gelato
Mixed Berries sautéed in Balsamic Vinegar with Vanilla Gelato

Price: $28.95 per person + tax and gratuity, beverages not included.
We will be offering several specially selected wines by the bottle and glass.

Seating is limited and reservations are essential. For more information or to make your reservation, call 575-737-6900.

Make a weekend of it by staying at one of our Taos Ski Valley vacation rentals.

Posted in Blonde Bear Tavern | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Summer Activities in Taos

Hiking in the Taos Ski Valley

Bull of the Woods Pasture

Distance: 1.8 miles
Elevation: ~9,450 – 10,900 ft
Difficulty: Easy

Bull of the Woods trailhead is located in the Taos Ski Valley – on the North side of the main parking area. The trail follows a beautiful mountain stream on one side which provides many ideal “snack stops” early on. It then opens up into meadows and finally, to the pasture itself.

At the 1.8 mile mark the trail splits off to Wheeler Peak on the right and Gold Hill on the left ( the sign to Gold Hill was a bit hidden). Both of these provide more challenging day hikes often with abundant wildlife. Expect snow on either of these trails before mid to late June.

Posted in Summer Activities in Taos | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Hiking Trails in the Taos Ski Valley

Gavilan Trail #60

Distance: 2.4 miles
Elevation: ~8,900 – 11,200 ft
Difficulty: Moderate

Located just 1.6 miles west of the Edelweiss Lodge and Spa, the Gavilan or “Hawk” trailhead can be seen on the side of the road with a small parking area.

This quickly ascending trail is perfect to get your blood moving and provides unforgettable scenic vistas.

Topographical map

Posted in Summer Activities in Taos | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Frazer Mountain Madness

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!

Race format change for 2011. The Hill Climb will NOT be an NMORS points event, so we are switching the race format. The XC will be on Saturday and the Hill Climb on Sunday.

We’re betting this year will be nice and sunny (because what’re the chances of rain two years in a row?), so mark your calendars to come ride the beautiful and cool high country again. As always we’ll have music, food and fun along with the usual dose of climbing.

New this year, age 60+ classes!

If you haven’t experienced the “madness”, it’s time you signed up! We have something for everyone…from the pros to the kiddos. The Cross Country is on the New Mexico Off-Road Series, AND on the Alison Dunlap Junior Olympic Mountain Bike Series. We’ve got more singletrack this year, so come join us for a bigger and better event! We will also be celebrating our 7th year!

As always, there’s a pro cash payback and great prizes. All races start at the base area of Taos Ski Valley. The cross country finish line is in the same place as the starting line. The hill climb finishes at the top of Frazer Mountain. The cross country is an excellent mix of two-track and single track, climbing up to 11,500 feet. Keeping things a bit more interesting, no two laps are the same. The kids races will stay in the base area.

Come see if you can break the men’s world record (46:58) set in 2008, or the women’s world record (1:01:30) set in 2010, to the top of our signature 5.5 mile hill climb, the 12,163 ft. summit of Frazer Mountain, or just watch the craziness and party.

Both courses are open for pre-riding the Friday before the event and every day of the riding season prior to the race weekend. The entire Northside area is open everyday for riding

There’s a bunch of other fun activities for everyone here in the Ski Valley like chairlift rides, disc golf, volleyball, horseshoes, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking (for fun), and much more! Great food, shopping, and accommodations for all budgets. Make a weekend of it and stay in beautiful Taos Ski Valley!

For more information and lodging options:

stay@taospropertyrentals.com

575-737-6901

Posted in Alpine Village Suites, Bavarian Chalets, Edelweiss Lodge and Spa, Events, Festival, Holiday, Taos Mountain | Leave a comment

Taos Mountian Music Festival 2011 Press

 

3rd ANNUAL TAOS MOUNTAIN MUSIC FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES NEW DATES, MORE MUSIC & NEW MANAGEMENT Tickets on Sale May 18

May 3, 2011 (Taos Ski Valley, NM) – The Taos Mountain Music Festival (TMMF) proudly announced new dates, more festival days and new management today. The Festival will be produced by SBG Productions, Inc., producers of the iconic Telluride Blues & Brews Festival of Telluride, Colorado, and the Durango Blues Train, of Durango, Colorado. The 2011 Festival promises another magical celebration of live funk, bluegrass, rock, latin and world beat music August 20 and 21, 2011 in Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico. 

“We are really excited to build upon and expand this amazing Festival while assuming the management of spectacular music for years to come,” said Steve Gumble, Festival Director. “We have received incredible support and enthusiasm from both the Taos Ski Valley Chamber of Commerce and Taos Ski Valley, Inc. and look forward to a stellar list of performances this year in Taos Ski Valley.” 

The Northern New Mexico music event of the summer features musical acts Matisyahu, Railroad Earth, Ozomatli, Leftover Salmon, Afroman, and Dangermuffin with many more to be announced within the next few weeks. The outdoor music festival is situated at the base of Taos Ski Valley, surrounded by national forest with the beautiful backdrop of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. 

Along with an amazing weekend of music, and entertainment, Taos Mountain Music Festival will host family fun activities for all ages to enjoy. Festival attendees can enjoy the Festival’s marketplace, where they can shop for crafts from local artisans, sample food from top area vendors and restaurants, and kids can enter the “Kidzone,” to go wild in the jumpy castle, get their faces painted, and play games. 

“We are dedicated to giving our visitors a full weekend of fun in the Village of Taos Ski Valley” said Alyson Hyder, Executive Director of the Taos Ski Valley Chamber of Commerce. “Our lodging partners throughout Taos Ski Valley are offering great deals, as well as lodging packages that include your festival ticket, making your stay even more convenient.”

Early Bird Two-day weekend passes and camping for the 3rd Annual Taos Mountain Music Festival go on sale May 18th. Early Bird weekend passes are available for $75.00 each and are limited. Single day tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 15th. Children 11 years old and younger are FREE and must be accompanied by an adult. 

For lodging information vist www.taospropertyrentals.com or www.edelweisslodgeandspa.com

For Festival information or to purchase tickets online visit www.taosmountainmusicfestival.com or call 866.515.6166 today.

Posted in Concert, Edelweiss Lodge and Spa, Events, Festival, Lodging, Luxury Lodging, Taos Mountain, Taos Mountain Music Festival, Taos Ski Valley, Vacation | Leave a comment