Taos Opens to Snowboarders

They said it would never happen. Skiers thought they would always have Taos Ski Valley to themselves, but on March 19th, 2008, Taos opened permanently to snowboarding.  I headed home to see a bit of the action first hand, and to discover if pigs really do fly.

As a frequent snowboarder, I can remember wishing Taos would open to snowboarding and ditch the exclusive attitude fostered by many of its locals. Having to travel to other resorts when NM's premier resort was in my backyard just seemed like cruel punishment for wanting to shred pow on one stick. 

Ironically though, I packed my skis for this trip. How contrarian of me, I know, but on nail-biting, steep hard-pack where Cadillac-sized bumps quietly wait to throw the unsuspecting tourist, it just makes more sense to have four edges at your disposal than two, n'est pas? 

Burton and Forum set up demo booths at the base, and an air of camaraderie and liberation filtered through TSV. Timbuk2's Ryan H. and I hiked Kachina Peak (12,481'), chatted up some stoked rider chicks (who consequently went careening down Main Street on their butts), and tried to keep up with local stud Fred F. on the groomers. My liftee friend Dennis asked, "Why aren't you snowboarding bro?" "Well..." I paused, "It's Taos." Respect to the Blake family for taking the plunge.

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Backcountry employee rockin' out sweet pics

Our very own Re Wikstrom in our photo department killed it this last week in the Ski Salt Lake SHOOTOUT. Re won 1st place in the Mountain Lifestyle category and was awarded $1,000 for her awesomeness. The contest had 7 photographers who specialize in photos you have probably seen in your ski mag on your coffee table. The shooting took place from March 3-7th and Re had actually just started shooting with her athlete, Pip Hunt, a week before the contest.

Re said the contest was "really an amazing opportunity to be shooting with such well known photographers."

Photo: Re Wikstrom/Athlete: Pip Hunt

The picture really sums up a great ski day; sunset, bluebird, clacking your heels while balancing skis and poles. Great job Re, way to go!

Photo: Bryan Ralph/Skier: Sage Cattabriga-Alosa

Also our Backcountry.com athlete Sage Cattabriga-Alosa was shown in the first place photo for Air shot by Bryan Ralph. It looks like he has those ski rockets from that movie Ski Patrol, classic.

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