UVMSSC crew heads to Taos, New Mexico
Somewhere outside of Española, NM. Photo by Jimmy
For the few of us crazy enough to head to the east coast for college from the west, we know all too well how much fun it is to gab about where we grew up skiing. After almost four years at UVM, it’s been one of my biggest wishes to get my friends to come out west and ski my home mountain and to experience the magic of the Rockies.
Top of Highline Ridge, Taos, NM. Photo by Tucker
Finally, five of my best pals and SSC officers made the trek to Santa Fe, New Mexico so we could rip it up at Taos Ski Valley for a few days over winter break. I couldn’t have been more stoked they came out, but I honestly think my parents were more excited than me to have five kids in the house for the week. My dad especially chummed it up, reliving his UVM days with a room full of 20-somethings. He even convinced Brianna and Lindsay to get cowboy hats...HUGE.
Lindsay and Brianna rocking that Western ~chic~. Photo by Tucker
It had snowed a ton in the weeks leading up to everyone arriving, so there was a solid base by the time they got there. Unfortunately, Kachina Peak, the mountain’s well-known summit with insane vertical and legendary chutes, wasn’t opened to hiking but there was still so much to explore. We hiked the Highline Ridge a few times which was pretty soft by midday, and the groomers were super grippy.
Tucker ripping it down Juarez at Taos. Photo by Jimmy
Although we didn’t get to ski the southern Rockies powder that everyone had been dreaming of leading up to the trip, they still got to experience bluebird skies, spring-like temperatures, and mountain terrain that blows the east coast out of the water (sorry, it’s true). Beyond the mountain culture, it was really fun showing everyone what else New Mexico has to offer: the New Mexican cuisine, adobe architecture, Native American art, desert landscape that turns into 12,000 foot peaks, and so much more. For someone who grew up somewhere vastly different from Vermont, it was amazing getting to share a big slice of home with my best friends.
Truchas Peaks at sunset, somewhere between Taos and Española, NM. Photo by Jimmy
I think the best part of everyone coming out was having the chance for them to meet some of the homies I grew up skiing with. For me, the best part of skiing will always be the people I’m with who make the sport so fun, so it was awesome when my two crews of ski buddies got to meet each other.
Highline Ridge, Taos, NM. Photo by Greta
Regardless of being in Vermont, New Mexico, or somewhere in between, I’ll always cherish the people who are down to wake up early with some breakfast sandies (Jimmy, I’m lookin’ at you!), bump some jams in the car, and make the best of a day on the hill. To quote my good pal Tucker Beatty, “if I’m with the dawgs, it’s guaranteed it’s gonna be a good day.”
Low-quality photo, high-quality dawgs somewhere near my house at sunset. Hurley and Huckleberry looking DASHINGLY handsome, as always. Photo by Brianna
By Greta Brown, UVMSSC Director of Communication