Taos Ski Valley, NM

Words / Donny O’Neill

Skiing in Taos is unlike any other shred experience in the United States. Its setting above northern New Mexico’s arid landscape is a thing of beauty. Visitors to Taos have the opportunity to shred burly lines from 12,000-plus feet in elevation, while staring out at a red desert floor below. How’s that for unique?

Skiers come to Taos for the highest quality, bone-dry snow and abundant steeps. Highline Ridge and West Basin Ridge are where you’ll find the latter. A short hike from the top of Lift 2, these zones ain’t for the faint of heart. Here you’ll discover lines with no-fall zones, closeout cliffs and the tightest of trees.

Last season (2014-15) marked the first winter with lift-accessed skiing on Taos’ famed 12,481-foot Kachina Peak. Formerly hike-to terrain, the recent addition of a chairlift now provides access to the peak’s smorgasbord of wide-open bowls, cliff drops and sustained fall line skiing.

Billionaire Louis Bacon’s 2013 purchase of Taos Ski Valley has resulted in a huge redevelopment plan for the base area, which will yield modernized amenities and a new hotel without (we hope) the loss of the ski area’s quaint, local charm.

Sun Valley, ID

Words / Erika Dahlby
Photo / Courtesy of Sun Valley

Sun Valley lies deep in south-central Idaho among the rugged Sawtooth range. The two mountain resort has a total of 2,154 skiable acres and a peak elevation of 9,150 feet.

Bald Mountain, “Baldy” for short, is the main attraction. Skip leg day at the gym, and instead, head straight for the Challenger chair. This takes you to the Warm Springs area, a groomer paradise for the hard chargers. Carve down Limelight, then transfer over to Greyhawk for 3,100 vertical feet of non-stop corduroy heaven. On a powder day, lap the Mayday lift and float through the wide gullies of the lower bowls. Baldy’s little brother,
Dollar Mountain, is home to the resort’s terrain parks, and contains over 75 rails and a 22-foot superpipe prime for trickery.

Catch a free bus into the town of Ketchum to grab a beer and burger at Grumpy’s. Afterward, head to the Cellar, where you may bump into locals Banks Gilberti and Collin Collins.

Grand Targhee, WY

Words / Erika Dahlby

Nestled on the backside of the Tetons, straddling the Wyoming and Idaho border, is Grand Targhee Resort. It’s a place where every day could be the best day of your life. Here’s why: Wide open bowls, steep chutes and a variety of challenging terrain, sans lift lines. Lap the Dreamcatcher chair for access to the famed Mary’s Nipple, offering an incredible view of the Tetons and mindblowing backcountry access following a quick boot pack.

Take a ride up the Sacajawea lift and hike up the ridgeline to Reliable and Toilet Bowl, steep faces with cliff bands that’re perfect for the adventurous powder hound. If you’re in the mood to splurge, check out the 602-acre cat skiing operation. You can snag a single seat for $379 or rent out the cat for you and eleven others for the daily rate of $3,790.

After an epic day on-hill, head to the Trap Bar and Grill for beers and grub. Wake up the next morning, grab a breakfast burrito from Snorkels and get after it again.

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