Bud Light Southwest Pond Skimming Championship Hits Taos...

What a long great season it has been! Lots of snow, lots of events and lots of fun. Closing weekend is upon us at Taos Ski Valley and that means the grand-daddy of all the crazy events is set to take place; The Bud Light Southwest Pond Skimming Championship. The party/event splashes down on Strawberry Hill in the base area in Taos and is a can't miss, especially when the "freaks" come out.

What is a Pond Skimming event you ask? Imagine a man-made lake (also known as "Lake Blake") that is approximately 80 feet long filled with icy blue water. The object is to gain enough speed make it across the pond and stay dry. Of course, as this event is meant to entertain, not everyone makes it across and they end up a soggy mess! See exhibit A to the right!

Judges will be giving extra points for costumes, style and distance. Style usually plays a big part in the crowds minds with past years favorites being "Darth Vador", a nearly naked boy, a nearly naked girl and of course there are always the cross-dressers!

The event runs from 2:30 - 5:00 PM and registration ($10 entry fee) will be at the TSV administrative offices.

So summon your inner "Aqua Man" and break out your best Halloween costume and get to Taos this weekend. We still have some great deals to get you there. Check out our hot deals section!

Red Bull 1976 Olympics Qualifier Coming to Taos Ski Valley

TAOS, NM – March 3, 2009 – On March 15th Taos Ski Valley and Red Bull will team up to host one of the seven throwback qualifying events for the upcoming Red Bull 1976 Olympics.

The Red Bull 1976 Olympics will pay homage to the 1976 Winter Games that were awarded to Colorado. Voters in Colorado later voted against hosting the games, even though the state had initially fought hard to be the host. Red Bull 1976 Games brings the games back to Colorado to finally "give the year 1976 its day". The culmination of the qualifiers will be in the main event April 17-18 in Copper Mountain, Colorado.

The Olympics and the qualifying events at Taos and elsewhere include a range of vintage-themed competitions including Snowbladecross and the Old School Air competition and an award for most outrageous costume and team mojo. There will be no snowboarding allowed in these events, as it was not yet an Olympic sport in 1976.

"We are excited to work with Red Bull to bring this throwback inspired event to Taos Ski Valley," said Alejandro Blake, Taos Ski Valley Special Events Director. "Red Bull consistently sponsors fun and innovative events and we know this retro qualifier will draw a great group of contestants to Taos."

Teams for the ‘76 games will be made up of five competitors donning their best ‘70s-style skills, clothing and gear. The winning team from the Taos qualifier will be awarded a free trip to the finals at Copper Mountain. The second and third place teams from Taos will also be invited to the finals.

To sign your team up for the Red Bull 1976 Olympics or learn more about the event go to www.redbullusa.com/1976games. Or contact Hendrick Onderdonk at 505.730.9486 or hendrickonderdonk@redbullu.com