Excitement Mounts and Conditions are Peak for First Riders on Legendary
Mountain
TAOS, N.M., March 19 /PRNewswire/ -- Today marks a significant milestone
at Taos Ski Valley when, for the first time ever, the mountain opens to
snowboarding. The much-anticipated opening day for snowboarders has arrived,
and the Taos Ski Valley staff is excited to share the incredible conditions
and excellent terrain with a whole new group of guests.
Taos Ski Valley has been planning for months in order to accommodate an
overflow crowd of mountain enthusiasts who eagerly await the opportunity to
ski and ride on one of the most memorable days in recent snow sports history.
Tickets for the snowboarding opening, which the resort has jokingly referred
to as "the day hell freezes over," went on sale yesterday. "It is going to be
a wild day," said Adriana Blake, Taos Ski Valley's Marketing Director. "Get
here early."
"There is an air of anticipation this morning," said Mickey Blake,
President of Taos Ski Valley. "Taos Ski Valley is known for its unique
atmosphere. It just seems right that we should open our facility to all who
want to experience our world-class mountain. We are pleased to welcome our
newest guests."
The celebration begins this morning with the 40 lucky lottery winners who
were selected on March 14 in Taos Ski Valley's charity raffle to be on the
first ten chairs up the mountain at 9:00 a.m. After that, the lifts open to
all skiers and riders who will experience some of the best snow conditions the
ski valley has seen in decades. Spring Break visitors will appreciate the
variety of activities the resort has planned for the week, including:
-- Bud Light Spring Break Bash (Wednesday, Mar. 19 - Thursday, Mar. 20)
Kick-off Spring Break with the Bud Light Spring Break Bash in the
Martini Tree Bar. Enjoy live entertainment, drink specials and
giveaways.
-- Spring Break Tubing (Wednesday, Mar. 19 - Saturday, Mar. 22)
5 - 7 PM: Fun for the whole family, tubing down Strawberry Hill is a
great way to loosen up after a day shredding the Taos slopes.
-- Big Sam's Funky Nation (Wednesday, Mar. 19)
Celebrate with New Orleans jazz band Big Sam's Funky Nation.
Doors open at 7 PM; show starts at 8 PM. Ages 21 and up.
-- Terrain Park Jam Session (Friday, Mar. 21 - Saturday, Mar. 22)
11 AM - 2 PM: Day one of the Jam Session at the Out-to-Launch Terrain
Park. All abilities and all ages are welcome; located on the backside,
directly under Lift #7.
-- New Belgium FAT TIRE Pint Night (Friday, Mar. 21)
3:30 PM: Sample some great brews from New Belgium in the
Martini Tree Bar.
-- DERAILED -- "Slopestyle" Event for Riders and Skiers
(Saturday, Mar. 22)
7 PM: An evening-long celebration with a nighttime "slope-style"
exhibition featuring top pro and regional skiers and snowboarders.
Torchlight parade and fireworks will follow. Sponsored by Taos Ski
Valley with Red Bull, Burton, RIDE Snowboards, and NMX Sports.
-- Ernie Blake Birthday Celebration (Saturday, Mar. 22)
8 PM: Every year Taos Ski Valley celebrates founder Ernie Blake's
birthday with a fireworks display and torchlight parade that can be
seen from anywhere in the base area. Music festivities will follow in
the Martini Tree Bar.
-- Spring Beer Festival (Saturday, Mar. 22)
4:30 - 7 PM: Sample beers from around the world in Tenderfoot Katie's
and the Martini Tree Bar.
"The events we've planned ensure that there's something for everyone,
whether they are part of the Taos Ski Valley tradition, or are new to our
mountain," said Alejandro Blake, Taos Ski Valley Event Coordinator. "This
week, our goal is to show our guests the time of their lives and, with more
than 250 inches of snow this season, the conditions promise to be stellar
through the end of our season, April 6."
"In Taos Ski Valley my grandparents created a welcoming mountain vacation
destination that families return to generation after generation. It is in that
same spirit today that we usher in a new era of welcoming both skiers and
riders to the mountain," said Adriana Blake, Taos Ski Valley Marketing
Director.
Visit http://www.ridetaos.org for specific event details. B-roll
available via download or Beta upon request.
SOURCE Taos Ski Valley
Claire Mylott, +1-303-455-0933, cmylott@sjonespr.com, or Erin Dolin,
+1-303-204-4819, edolin@sjonespr.com, both for Taos Ski Valley
