End of an Era
Taos Ski Valley ski instructor Bernard ‘Dadou’ Mayer remembered
By Geoffrey Plant
Legendary Taos Ski Valley ski instructor Bernard “Dadou” Mayer died in August, 2022. He was 82. Mayer followed his brother, Jean Mayer, another lareger-than-life denizen of the slopes, from the French Alps to the United States in order to take a job at the Taos Ski Valley in 1958. Jean Mayer, who with the help of his family and several other early ski valley legends, built the Hotel St. Bernard and was the technical director of the Taos Ski School, died in October 2020.
Grande Rio
The Rio Grande is the quintessential fly-fishing experience in Northern New Mexico
By Tamra Testerman
Washing down a sandwich with a cold beer on the tailgate of his truck gazing at the Milky Way slung low above the craggy canyons carved from the volcanic rock of the Taos Pueblo — the sound of a steady river below snaking its way to the Gulf of Mexico — Taos local John Nichols, author of “The Milagro Beanfield War” and 18 other books, describes the conclusion of a perfect day fly-fishing on the Rio Grande.
Ski Central
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By Cindy Brown & Photos By MIke Hawkins
Welcome to skiing in paradise. Around the Enchanted Circle of Northern New Mexico, you’ll find skiing and riding for every taste and level of ability. From double-black diamond runs at the legendary Taos Ski Valley to the family-friendly slopes of Sipapu, Angel Fire and Red River, skiing and riding here is more than just about sport — it’s about pristine forests, sunshine, history, culture, community and finding a place that reflects who you are as a skier and a person.
Best of Taos
As decided by our readers
For a small town, Taos has plenty to offer. And who would know better about its great food, drinks, entertainment, shopping and services than the folks who live here…
Wine & Dine
Corner Office at El Conejo offers wines, plates and plenty of simple sophistication
By Will Hooper & Photos By Mike Hawkins
Less than a block south of Taos Plaza, and up a set of stairs, lies Taos’ Corner Office, a new restaurant serving up award-winning food and natural wine. With a patio for lounging, counter service and a cozy indoor vibe, Corner Office at El Conejo offers something new to locals and visitors alike.
One turn around the sun
Soaking up all that Taos has to offer in a single day
By Stephanie Noll
Winter may be a drag elsewhere, but its abundant sunshine, mild temperatures, and usually just the right amount of snow make Taos a great place to be between fall and spring. Taoseños, and those who want to get lost in the town’s enchanting ways, know these words by poet and artist William Blake to be true: “In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.” Whether you’re a local seeking an in-town adventure or an out-of-towner in search of the best Taos has to offer, it’s easy to live one of your best days ever in this magical high desert mountain town.
Glorious Guides
Heritage Inspirations offers a different kind of guided tour
BY ANGELISA WARD | PHOTOS BY AMANDA POWELL
Visitors looking for an all-inclusive, authentically curated guided tour in and around Northern New Mexico can choose one of more than twenty itineraries offered by Heritage Inspirations, which designs trips “as a woven tapestry of storytelling and adventure” through the back rounds and topography of El Norté.
Après-ski
An easy and festive winter cassoulet, and an homage to Jean Mayer and the Hotel St. Bernard
By Lucy Herrman
Doggy Days
Everything you need to keep your pets happy and healthy in Taos
By Virginia Clark & Photos By Mike Hawkins
Vacaying or just hanging with Fur Babies? Here’s what Taos offers to keep pets cuddly — both at home or on the road. Grooming, daycare, boarding, training and more. Also check out Law of the Land — for staying safe and legal in town, county and public spaces. That way everybody is happy.
Native Plaza
Indigenous arts in the heart of Taos
By Virginia Clark & Photos By Sam Joseph
Local, authentic indigenous art is alive and kicking up Native dust around Taos Plaza. The gallery owners are primarily Taos Pueblo tribal members, but they carry works from Taos Pueblo and many other First Nations’ artists.
Shop Taos
The centrally located John Dunn Shops have something for everyone
By Haven Lindsey & Photos by sam joseph
At the heart of Taos’ Historic District, enveloped in a canvas of trees, surrounded by landscaped flower gardens, with soft background music and welcoming places to sit, relax, absorb and repeat, the John Dunn Shops offer a quaint, pedestrian, pet-friendly experience as the answer to its more lively, vehicular-friendly neighbor, the Taos Plaza..
John Dunn
The man and his legacy
By Cindy Brown
The life of Long John Dunn is a study in contrasts and a portrait of resilience.
Dunn was imprisoned in Texas, yet escaped and became known as the King of Taos. He admitted to his own sleight of hand in gambling, but also was a respected member of the Taos community. He arrived in Taos with nothing, but through sheer determination and a bit of luck, went on to own four saloons, a gambling hall, a hotel, two bridges, a livery stable and to control most of the transportation in and out of Taos for close to 30 years. In Max Evan’s 1959 biography of Dunn, “Long John Dunn of Taos: from Texas Outlaw to New Mexico hero,” Evans says, “He lived in his ninety or more years one of the most incredible lives of any of the old-time westerners.”
Dunn almost starved and escaped being killed many times, yet he survived to be 94 years old. What accounts for the near-miraculous life and luck of John Dunn or as he was known in Taos — Juan Largo?
Great Galleries
Not-to-be-missed art galleries representing some of the best artists in El Norté
By Dena Miller & Photos by Sam Joseph
There are two types of people who visit Taos: those who come for the immersion in a culturally rich art colony and those who come for its many other notable attractions. If you fall into the latter camp, then allow this to serve as your road map for unlocking some of the art treasures to be found, for there are many.
Keeper of the flame
Millicent Rogers Museum preserves Taos history and culture
By Rick Romancito
The origins of the Southwest’s most storied cultural institutions are often as interesting as the objects preserved within…
Museum Magic
Historical homes, exquisite fine art, regional jewelry and much more
By Jocelyne Kizziar & Photos by Sam Joseph
This winter, step out of the cold and into the hearth of Taos Art and Culture. Several museums in town masterfully act as storytellers for one of the most culturally rich places in all of America and continue to shine a light on its future.
Mountain Music
From a lineup featuring ZZ Top, Lyle Lovett, Ben Harper, Gov’t Mule and more.
By Rick Romancito
Stars & Bars
Whether you are a seasoned local, a returning visitor, or this is your first time discovering all that Taos has to offer…
By Haven Lindsey
we’ve got the scoop on the patio bars and the personalities that come with them.
Medium Rare
In search of a great steak ; Being neighbors with Texas, many may wonder what Northern New Mexico has to offer when it comes to perfectly cooked steak.
By Will Hooper
The area is no stranger to cattle. We sat down at three restaurants cooking up their interpretation of the perfect piece of meat, each as delicious as the next.
Rock Steady
Here we are, getting back to basics after all our worlds were interrupted by COVID-19. Now is the moment to get outside and reinvigorate a vital love of the outdoors.
By Jay Foley
There is no better way to reboot and return outside than joining one of America’s fastest growing sports, rock climbing!