Taos Ski Valley adds snowboarding, new runs

Taos Ski Valley is no longer just a ski vacation destination. For the first time, the New Mexico mountain is open to snowboarders for the full season.

Riders can take advantage of the Out to Launch Terrain Park — now doubled in size — with custom rails, boxes and hits in addition to the existing airs and quarter pipe.

Also new this season, a Burton Learn to Ride Center, offering world-class snowboarding instruction forchildren and adults — both in private and group lessons.

Taos visitors looking for a new challenge on their ski vacation can try the new expert run. North American is a double black-diamond rated glade with 1,400 feet of vertical. (The resort plans a second new double black-diamond run for the 2009-2010 season.) Novices have their own new space: The Burrough is a 400-foot long beginners area with a moving carpet. Taos Ski Valley plans to expand it to a full hill next season.

Visitors with an eco-tourism mindset may appreciate Taos’ environmental efforts. This year 100 percent of the resort’s electricity will come from wind power. And Taos Ski Valley is continuing its SkiGreen program, which allows visitors to purchase a $2 tag to offset carbon produced from approximately 150 miles of travel.

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Tagged: New Mexico