Located approximately 150 miles north of Albuquerque, Taos Ski Valley is a popular year-round destination that becomes even more popular as the ski lifts open in late November. Less than 20 miles from the heart of Taos, this resort is the perfect place to experience an alpine climate in northern New Mexico. Join me for a one-day, 350-mile roundtrip to see some of the beauty of Taos and Taos Ski Valley on the last day of November 2025.
Leaving the Albuquerque-Rio Rancho area, we will take the Santa Fe bypass (New Mexico Highway 599) to US Highway 84. In Española, we follow New Mexico State Road 68 past the Ohkay Owingeh homelands and the Los Luceros Historic Site in Alcalde. We will pass through many other Pueblos.
Driving alongside the Rio Grande
North of Velarde, State Road 68 transforms into a narrow, two-lane road alongside the Rio Grande and some notable cliffs. Beyond Embudo, you move from Rio Arriba County into Taos County. The river includes some rapids and launching areas for canoes at the Quartzite River Access Point.
The Town of Taos
With an elevation of 6,969 feet above sea level, the town of Taos sits between the Sangre de Cristo ("Blood of Christ") Mountains to the east and the Rio Grande Gorge to the west. Spanish conquistadors first came to the area in the mid-1610s, and the settlement was founded in 1795. With a population of nearly 6,500, Taos serves as the seat of Taos County and is less than 50 miles south of the Colorado state line.
Similar to other New Mexican towns and cities that date to the Spanish colonial era, Taos has a Plaza that serves as a central gathering place. Numerous historic structures are found throughout town. In addition to the nearby ski resort and other mountain activities, Taos has gained a strong reputation as a place for artists. Banners hung throughout the town proclaim "Taos is Art." Numerous museums are located in Taos County.
Taos Pueblo
Much older than the town, the Taos Pueblo has existed on lands in this area for more than a millennium. The current Pueblo sits upon lands north of the town. The word "Taos" refers to the red willows found in this area.
The Rio Grande Gorge
Located 11 miles northwest of Taos, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge provides a smooth ride across one of the most significant geological features in the area. Beginning near the Colorado state line, the Rio Grande cuts a very deep and substantial gorge, with valleys hundreds of feet higher than the river on either side.
The Rio Grande Gorge is located approximately 650 feet below a steel arch bridge that opened in 1965. US Highway 64 connects Taos with the unincorporated community of Tres Piedras ("Three Stones") by spanning the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge. A comfortable rest area exists on the western end of the bridge, offering a great vantage point to see the bridge.
The walkways along this bridge were recently closed to pedestrian access due to occasional suicides, a problem with tall bridges or those that span high above waterways. By comparion, the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge is substantially higher than another bridge known in the past for suicides, the Sunshine Skyway across lower Tampa Bay.
The top of the Sunhine Skyway is 430 feet above Tampa Bay, approximately 220 feet lower than this bridge is above the Rio Grande. The highest point of the Skyway's road is about 175 above Tampa Bay, approximately 475 feet less than this bridge.
Arroyo Seco and Carson National Forest
New Mexico State Road 150 provides a scenic drive between Taos Pueblo and the Taos Ski Valley resort area. This 14.5-mile road is generally kept in excellent condition, though private vehicles may require snow tires, chains, or four-wheel drive along the highest portions of the road during periods of intense snowfall.
The road gains elevation as we approach the Carson National Forest. Photo by Jim Schnur.
Settled in 1804 on the north end of the Taos Pueblo, Arroyo Seco means "Dry Stream" or "Dry Gulch" in Spanish. The small settlement sits at 7,634 feet, more than 660 feet higher than Taos. After leaving Arroyo Seco, State Road 150 enters Carson National Forest.
Taos Ski Valley
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A variety of visitors were at the resort during my visit. Some were skiers and snowboarders, some checked into the condos, and others congregated near the firepits late in the afternoon while sipping coffee and cocoa.
During my visit, shortly after the first slopes opened for the season, people enjoyed the early snow. The next day, a substantial snowstorm brought even more snow to the area. Soon, all of the lifts will be open.
Another Enjoyable Adventure
The visit to Taos County brought back memories of our first vacation to New Mexico in 2013. We did a grand loop from Albuquerque to Las Vegas to Red River and Angel Fire, and, ultimately, back to Albuquerque. Somewhere in that five-day fog was a drive through Taos, though I barely remember it. We will certainly make many return trips to this area as we enjoy our time in the Land of Enchantment.
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