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THE RESORT
The alpine-style Taos Ski Valley was discovered in the 1950s by Ernie Blake, a German-born Swiss who recognised it as perfect skiing terrain. The ski area is in stark contrast to the cacti-and-sagebrush floor of the desert below
THE SKIING
Taos, 'the last bastion of pure skiing', still outlaws snowboarding. The 3,600-metre mountain has severe mogul slopes and some benign runs. 'Don't panic,' reads the sign at the bottom of the first, and steepest, 'you are looking at 1/90th of Taos Ski Valley'
THE NON-SKIING
The original town of Taos is about 30km below the resort and is a cosmopolitan melting pot with a dominant Native American culture. It became an art colony in the late 1890s, providing inspiration for DH Lawrence and Georgia O'Keeffe. Taos has seven shopping areas, including many galleries and restaurants
THE KNOWLEDGE
The Quail Inn Ridge Resort (00 1 505 776 2211) is an adobe building between town and resort, with a desert ambience and copious tennis and other sports facilities. Recommended tour operator: Ski Independence (0870 555 0555). For more information go to www.skitaos.org
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