Arizona/New Mexico Taos anxiety

[Codger]

I know I’ve been posting about different trip alternatives but lingering in my mind is Taos. I am a senior citizen who is an eastern groomer skier at Stratton. No trees, will go into the bumps if soft and my powder experience is limited to what Stratton occasionally receives. We ski all of the groomers. My trepidation is that in recent years I haven’t experienced a place that Taos is reputed to be. Is my anxiety warranted?

 

[crgildart]

@KingGrump

 

[FlyingAce]

Taos might be known for the steeps and bumps but they have nice groomers too! Porcupine, Lower Stauffy, Firlefanz, Powderhorn are all very nice. It is rarely icy or even hard packed (until Spring), and it is also normally not crowded. There are easy bumps too at Lone Star/Bambi! You have plenty of options to enjoy the mountain!
I don’t know how senior you are, but my ski buddy is 68 and I know an 84 year old man who skis the groomers every day as his daily exercise!

 

[KingGrump]

I know I’ve been posting about different trip alternatives but lingering in my mind is Taos. I am a senior citizen who is an eastern groomer skier at Stratton. No trees, will go into the bumps if soft and my powder experience is limited to what Stratton occasionally receives. We ski all of the groomers. My trepidation is that in recent years I haven’t experienced a place that Taos is reputed to be. Is my anxiety warranted?

I believe we are twins separated at birth.
I am a senior. My Taos senior pass said so. My home mountain is also Stratton. Still is for early season. Personally, I love groomers.

Come on down to Taos and do a ski week. You'll have a good time. I guarantee it.

BTW, when do you expected to be in Taos.

 

[SBrown]

 

[Jenny]

That sign totally freaked me out the one and only time we were at Taos. But I’m going back for a ski week this year, although not during this gathering. We’ll be there the week of Valentine's Day. If I can do it from Michigan, you can do it, too.

 

[KingGrump]

What they don't tell you is the other 23/30 of the mountain is even more intimidating and there are only 2 blue runs.

 

[pais alto]

You’re gonna die.

Not really. You’ll have a blast, there’re plenty of great cruisers. And it‘s a lovely place.

 

[KingGrump]

@Codger, seriously speaking, shudda came to the Taos gathering next week.
Last year we had about 25 for the Taos gathering. Most had a good time. Nobody died.
This year, we have about 41 Pugs. Most attended last year returned for more abuse. That got to mean something. Probably all of them are too stupid to quit?

 

[James]

You’re gonna die.

Not really. You’ll have a blast, there’re plenty of great cruisers. And it‘s a lovely place.

That’s what AGrump told Tony about the ski off. (Without the fine print) Judging by the volumes written, he wasn’t that far off.

 

[Core2]

All of the gnarly stuff at Taos is hike-to or off the Kachina lift.

 

[pais alto]

All of the gnarly stuff at Taos is hike-to or off the Kachina lift.

Um...I don’t know if you’ve been there since they opened things like Pierre’s, Ech’s, Ernies, or North American, and older runs like Arnold Lunn, Werner, and Jean’s Glade all qualify as gnarly in my book, and all accessible without hiking. But hey, I’m not that good.

 

[KingGrump]

All of the gnarly stuff at Taos is hike-to or off the Kachina lift.

Wrong.

 

[Core2]

wussies

 

[KingGrump]

Everybody skis on the expert level on the keyboard.

 

[Tony S]

I know I’ve been posting about different trip alternatives but lingering in my mind is Taos. I am a senior citizen who is an eastern groomer skier at Stratton. No trees, will go into the bumps if soft and my powder experience is limited to what Stratton occasionally receives. We ski all of the groomers. My trepidation is that in recent years I haven’t experienced a place that Taos is reputed to be. Is my anxiety warranted?

I haven't been following your other posts, but based on what you've said here, I'd say there are better bets for you as far as western resort destinations.

 

[Lofcaudio]

I haven't been following your other posts, but based on what you've said here, I'd say there are better bets for you as far as western resort destinations.

While I would never want to discourage someone from going to Taos, Tony S is right about there being better options out West than Taos if you are going to stick to groomers. Please know that your trepidation is not warranted as there are plenty of nicely groomed runs at Taos as has been said. And KingGrump's advice of doing a Ski Week is also worth considering. I have yet to meet a person who has done that who has regretted it. In fact, everyone who does a Ski Week keeps going back.

 

[Tony S]

there are plenty of nicely groomed runs at Taos

Absolutely, but only about 20% of what you'd get at Snowmass, for example. Vibe, that's a different thing.