A magic portal to outdoor recreation in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains
By David Lerner
According to many North American Indigenous creation stories, a Sipapú is a cosmic portal and a sacred place of emergence.
Snow Voyagers
Whether you’ve lived in Taos your whole life or you have just arrived, the vast landscape of Taos County will always have something to satisfy your outdoor desires.
Story & Photos by Jay Foley
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.
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!
Get In Gear
High-risk high-reward options for mountain biking in Taos County are vast.
by Jeans Pineda
Who is running the river this year?
In addition to the Racecourse, there are Rio Grande rafting trips offered on the more challenging.
Taos Box, as well as the mellow Orilla Verde; Also Rio Chama trips are also available.
Rio Grande River Rafting
Fun and rejuvenation for the spirit with the rapids coming fast and the spray up all around, there is little time to talk.
by Cindy Brown
Essential tips & outdoor gear
Before venturing out in winter, here are a few tips to keep you warm and safe.
Feathered friends
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.
Dog Gone Park
Angel Fire has dogs. Lots of dogs. Lots of rescue dogs. But no dog park.
by Jacqui Binford-Bell
No fenced backyards. Dog exercise, socialization and human activities were centered around trekking with your dog and your friends and their dogs on the miles of green belts and trails in the resort area. When the pandemic locked down the humans it also locked down the dogs. Suspension of human interaction meant suspension of canine socialization. Continue reading “Dog Gone Park”
Rocky Mountain Highs
As the summer heat approaches, many folks opt for cooler climes and there are none so sweet as those found in the Rockies.
By Lily Sanborn and Virginia Clark
The Enchanted Circle’s Chambers of Commerce are on top of everything, planning for every eventuality, now and in the future, so visitors are welcome whenever state ratings allow.
The breathtaking scenes “will be here to greet and comfort you – as they hav been for centuries of people before us” says the Village of Taos Ski Valley website. Continue reading “Rocky Mountain Highs”
Enjoy Taos Mountains
Forest restoration protects and enhances outdoor activities
story and photos By j.r. logan
The forests and rivers along the west slope of the Sangre de Cristo Range have long been a haven for those looking to escape to the outdoors.
Whether to hunt, fish, camp, ski, raft, hike or bike, these mountains hold something for almost everyone. And there’s a lot of folks working together in and around Taos to make sure these forests are around for future generations to enjoy as well. Continue reading “Enjoy Taos Mountains”