Since Taos allowed snowboarding on March 19, 2008, the events staff have been busy filling the calendar with new events and promotion that were always restricted from the slopes of one of the last few resorts that remained snowboard-free. This weekend saw the USASA Skier and Snowboarder Cross hit the slopes just below Kachina Peak on the back side of the mountain. This was the first skier/boarder cross event held at Taos Ski Valley and was not short of thrilling spills and great competition.The skier/boarder cross course is a hybrid of downhill racing and slopestyle type terrain. Banked turns, table top jumps and rollers lined the course as six athletes compete on each run in a modern day "Chinese Downhill". It may be more like moto-cross on skis or boards!
Taos has always been known as a "no frills" mountain and this type of event definitely goes in a
different direction that the traditional roots of Ernie Blake's early beginnings. The question reagarding these types of events is are these events a good thing for Taos or does it shy away from what Taos does best (hardcore skiing and now riding). There will always be doubters and cynic's, but one thing is for certain and that is that this type of event is a lot of fun to watch. (photos by Seth Bullington)Bret
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