In tandem with becoming certified CarbonNeutral by Climate Impact Partners in August, Taos Ski Valley has a number of sustainability and forest health initiatives underway. Located in northern New Mexico, the resort also announced several activities of interest for groups happening in the 2022-23 ski season that begin on Nov. 24.
Noteworthy Activities
Olympic gold medalist Deb Armstrong plans to host three-day SkiStrong gatherings for all levels of skiers, and private experiences can be arranged for groups. SkiStrong includes a welcome reception, three full days of coaching with Armstrong, daily lift tickets, and equipment rentals.
Also not to be missed are sleigh rides under the stars to The Bavarian restaurant for a three-course, prix-fixe dinner complete with wine. Offered on Friday and Saturday nights, cozy blankets keep guests warm as a snowcat pulls the sleigh to and from the mid-mountain venue.
If it makes sense, book a gathering in tandem with one of Taos Ski Valley’s ski weeks, which have been a highlight since the resort was established in 1955. Private Ski Weeks and Children’s Weeks are offered multiple times while Race Week and Women’s Week are one-time sessions.
Carbon Reduction Measures
Taos is working to offset greenhouse gas emissions with projects that cut carbon and deliver sustainable development impacts. In addition to utilizing carbon offsets, Taos’ initiatives such as the following focus on three key areas of energy use: renewable power, electric vehicles, and efficient buildings.
· Resort operations like chairlifts and snowmaking use solar power through a partnership with the local utility.
· Many older buildings have been retrofitted, and newer buildings are built with clean energy as a priority. For example, the LEED-certified Blake Hotel uses geothermal wells and ground-source heat pumps for heating and cooling.
· Taos is electrifying its fleet of vehicles, including snowmobiles and cars. It also will be the first ski resort in North America to deploy an all-electric snowcat.
· A food composter diverts more than 90% of food waste from the landfill.
· EV chargers incentivize guests and staff to drive electric vehicles.
· A free employee shuttle takes numerous cars off local roads.
· Purchasing locally sourced products is a priority to reduce shipping, packaging, and transportation emissions.
· Single-use plastics have been eliminated and water-bottle fillers installed throughout the resort.
Forest Health
Taos Ski Valley is a charter signatory of The Nature Conservancy’s Rio Grande Water Fund that aims to restore the headwaters of the Rio Grande River and 600,000 acres of critical forests in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado.
The resort also is investing in forest maintenance to protect the property and mitigate fire and watershed impacts. Collaboration with the Carson National Forest and the Taos Valley Watershed Coalition also is a priority.
