Hot Springs and Cooking Classes at Taos Ski Valley

Hot Springs
Have you been to the Taos Ski Valley hot springs yet? No? Neither has anyone else. That is because there aren't any hot springs right in Taos Ski Valley, but the resort is located just a short distance from some of the best hot springs in the West in Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs. Every Tuesday during the ski season, there are day trips planned to bring guests for a day of relaxation and soaking.

The excursions are designed so you can still get a morning of skiing and be back in time for an evening meal with the family. Shuttles depart from the Taos Ski Valley Guard Gate at 1 PM and return around 6 PM. On your way to Ojo Caliente, you will take a one hour scenic ride over the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, one of the highest bridges in the country, and through the mesa for a spectacular Southwest tour.

Indulge yourself with the Ojo Experience package which includes transportation, pool pass (mineral springs), robe/locker and a treatment of choice (custom massage, Radiant Sea Salt Glow or Sundari Custom face treatment). The Ojo Experience costs $155. The other option is the Soak Away which includes transportation and pool pass for $67. A robe and locker are not included in this price, but are available for rental for $15.

Cooking Classes
Every Wednesday, throughout the ski season, cooking classes will be offered with nationally acclaimed and award winning Chef, Chris Maher. Chris heads Cooking Studio TAOS - a teaching and food consortium - where people are encouraged to play with their food! Cuisines taught will vary from New Mexican to Italian, Moroccan to East Indian and everything in between. Classes are 100% hands on participation and learning, lasting approximately three hours and ending with a beautiful, seated meal of the recipes you have all created together. Students have fun and walk away having learned recipes, technique and theory. Fees include recipes, food and beverages.

Some of the recent class topics include "Mediterranean Flavors", "Hearty Winter Soups" and "Elegant Food to serve on the Eve of the New Year". The cost of the cooking class is $115 per person.

United Airlines 4 Day Huge Sale to Albuquerque - Taos Ski Valley

United Airlines just launched a huge sale for reduced airfares on flights going into Albuquerque, New Mexico. Albuquerque is where skiers and boarders fly into for their Taos vacation. With Taos already being one of the biggest values in ski country, these reduced fares will complete the perfect vacation. The sale ends this Friday, December 19, 2009, so make your plans now. Check out these sample airfare deals -

Chicago-Albuquerque	$190
Cincinnati-Albuquerque	$216
Philadelphia-Albuquerque	$220
Pittsburgh-Albuquerque	$236

There are restrictions and terms and conditions for this promotion. Call (866) 250-7313 today and take advantage of these discount airfares. The fresh powder and outstanding ski vacation savings are waiting for you.

Winter Storm Socks Valley!

Storm socks the Taos Ski Valley! "It's a dump!" is the word around the village. Eighteen inches had fallen by Tuesday morning and continues to pound the mountain. White-out conditions and high gusts of wind have made this one a real blow-out. Conditions are ideal now for exciting early season skiing. More snow is expected today and throughout the week.

submitted by Laura Lynch

Snow Blasts Taos Ski Valley

"Snow is blasting Taos Ski Valley," reported KTAO's Nancy Stapp this morning. "Look at that powder!" Five inches in a couple hours fell and continues to pile up. More is predicted Friday and Monday, getting things up to speed for great early skiing.

Last week's predicted storm bypassed Northern New Mexico's Sangre de Cristo Mountains, blanketing instead the Southern reaches of the state. But this one hit!

Taos Ski Valley opened on Thanksgiving with a couple of runs and one lift. As of today, December 3rd, five lifts are open, allowing skiing from the top of the mountain. More snow is expected to kiss the valley with virgin powder. Check out our hot deals page for some great early season specials.

- submitted by Laura Lynch