taos is in new mexico, just south of the colorado border and ideal for a two centre holiday with purgatory or crested butte. the skiing at taos itself is excellent, especially for advanced skiers, in fact if you're good enough a combination of taos, crested butte and irwin lodge cat skiing is just about the best present you could give yourself. the pueblo town of taos is everything you'd expect from a mexican town, brown adobe buildings and rug, blanket and pottery shops selling souvenirs at the side of the street. all this contrasts with the grandeur of the sangre de cristo mountains and the 31 inches of snow that falls each year. the ski school is rated one of the best in the usa and is founded on the best austrian principals but strengthened with the new american philosophies.

all in all a great place to spend some time!

quail ridge inn

sitting at the base of the taos valley and looking to all the world like an adobe palace, the inn is self contained with indoor and outdoor pools, hot tubs, tennis courts and fitness centre. steve wardlaw, one of the owners loves to tell stories to his guests about anything they want to hear about, especially how good the skiing is and can carve through the powder better than most. accommodation includes a full breakfast to start you right, on a day of good skiing.

inn at snakedance

you couldn't get much closer to the lifts than this, 30 ft away. the hotel is right at the heart of the ski village and has its own restaurant and bar open for breakfast (included in your stay), lunch and dinner. the restaurant has been granted the wine spectator award of excellence, which means that you'll have the advantage of a good wine cellar at dinner. there is a fitness room for your use and massage therapist on call to relax you after the days activities. all rooms have two queen beds and some have open fireplaces.