Off the well-beaten path of popular Taos center sites, Ranchos de Taos is a must-see for visitors and locals alike.
by Jocelyne Kizziar
Rugs, Riches and Ray Trotter
Gallery Boomtown
Like everywhere, Taos felt the impacts of the pandemic, but this spunky mountain town took the lemons handed to it and made a pitcher of the proverbial lemonade.
By dena miller
Breathtaking beauty
Enjoy winter fly-fishing in Northern New Mexico.
experience the stark, solitary beauty to being on a river in the winter.
By Tamra Testerman
The bigger animals native to our region are mostly in hibernation, most of the birds have migrated to warmer climes, there are fewer people on the roads and in the woods, and there is a breathtaking stillness not found any other time of year.
Winter stargazing
Our own galactic neighborhood
Don’t like skiing?
Here are five great alternatives to enjoy some winter adventure
By Ellen Miller-Goins
No doubt sitting by a crackling fire under a warm blanket is wonderful but if you choose this option, you are missing out on a truth: being outdoors in Northern New Mexico during the winter is magical, beautiful, exhilarating and … fun!
If you consider skiing or snow
Happy glamping
“Glamping” (glamorous camping)
By Ellen Miller-Goins
Camping in a lavishly appointed tent dates back at least to the 16th Century. Today, “glamping” can range from 5-star resorts to comfortable but rustic accommodations that are, at the very least, a step up from sleeping on the ground with nothing but a thin wall of nylon between you and the elements.
Be a cowboy again
Were you still playing cowboy in the backyard long after other kids had abandoned their six-shooters in favor of light sabers?
By Ellen Miller-Goins
You are in luck. You’ve come home. Northern New Mexico is home to many working ranches, and also features opportunities for playing cowboy on horseback — even in winter.
Winter hikes
With over 300 days of sunshine a year
Hiking is possible in and around Taos throughout the winter. Here are the top trails in and around the Enchanted Circle.
By cindy brown
Being in nature on a brisk day with the sun sparkling on fresh snowfall is good for the body and soul. Winter hiking requires a bit more gear, but with a little planning you can have a pleasant and safe trail experience. At lower elevations trails may be clear of snow, while those at higher elevations are likely to have snowier conditions. Be sure to check weather forecasts and consult local outfitters and other local resources as you plan your hike.
Best breakfast burrito
Taoseños are serious about their breakfast burritos.
Whether it’s handheld or smothered with chile and cheese, a great breakfast burrito is more than the sum of its parts.
By David Lerner
Like all simple, regional dishes, the classic New Mexican breakfast burrito is only as good as the treatment of each ingredient. Scrambled eggs must be creamy with pillowy curds – pallid, overcooked eggs are a strict deal breaker. Diced or shredded potatoes should be properly browned and seasoned. A smattering of green chile is essential, and sautéed onion is a nice touch.
Hot drinks at home
Winter whether
It is a holiday celebration or a gathering after a day of skiing, there is nothing quite as lovely as sitting by a fire and sipping something delicious.
By Lucy Herrman
If the restaurants and cantinas are all closed or you’re snowed in or too tired to leave the casa, here’s an opportunity to be your own bartender. And while the usual suspects, like spiked eggnog and mulled wine, are always nice, it’s fun to serve up a tasty new treat.
Warm up for winter
Hot beverage production can be an afterthought in the land where margaritas reign supreme…
By Jeans Pineda
Ordering that innocent cup of rooibos at a bustling bar top is more like throwing a monkey wrench through a couple bottles of Cointreau. If the bar showcases their glassware in overhead racks, you’ll see that margarita coupes outnumber insulated mugs in a ratio of roughly 35,000 to 1.
Green chile stew
Buen provecho!
By Lucy Herrman
Here in Taos, we pride ourselves on our chile. We love it mild. We love it hot. We love it red. We love it green. And one of the tastiest and spiciest local dishes is Green Chile Stew. Perfect for those cold evenings this time of year. It is easy to make and a dream to come home to after a day enjoying all the outdoor activities Taos has to offer.
Taste a rainbow of beers
When you are craving a cold beer.
Taos and the Enchanted Circle have some good microbreweries offering everything from IPAs to pilsners.
By Tamra Testerman
Place de résistance
Just a few steps away from the slopes.
The Blake Hotel is a place where skiers can relax after a long day in the snow.
This luxurious alpine hotel features 80 rooms, a spa and wellness center, pool and fitness center, a restaurant and tapas bar that is currently closed (at press time), a ski valet in the winter, art installations and Hausmeisters who are there to meet all of the guests’ needs.
Vacation rentals
By taylor hood
Retail resurgence
‘Taos Ski Valley’s renaissance
has delivered modern and thoughtful upgrades while retaining the area’s character and soul, and businesses. like Cid’s and others reflect that ethos because they are locally owned, original and will be integrated into the community,’ said David Norden, CEO of Taos Ski Valley.
IN TAOS SKI VALLEY
Local shopping guide
Taos has the best places to find gifts for any person or occasion
By Celesa Lucien
If you have a busy schedule to include all the scenic and museum destinations of Taos, you will want to hit the best shops guaranteed to complete your shopping list. For items you may have forgotten or for things you did not expect to need or for loved ones that remained at home, here is a “get it or bust” list.
Casita industries
Meet three new entrepreneurs who are putting Taos on the map as a great place to make business ideas a reality.
Couse-Sharp Historic Site
One piece of art to see
by Davison Packard Koenig, executive director and curator
