Ski Trip to Taos, NM

After weeks of very little snowfall here in Colorado, we decided to head down south where powerful storms rolling in from the South Pacific were pounding the mountains by Taos. Taos Ski Valley, locally known as TSV, boasted a 50 inch base and more than of 150 inches of snowfall that had fallen so far  this season. We made the 6 hour trip down and enjoyed delicious New Mexican cuisine at Orlando's, one of our favorite eateries in Taos. The next day I went skiing at TSV. The skiing at TSV was great with good coverage and some soft snow to be found up along the ridges that border the resort,  Highline Ridge and West Basin Ridge. These ridges, along with the crown jewel of TSV, Kachina Peak, host the annual Taos Extremes, a qualifier event for the Freeride World Tour. After only the first day, I already had decided that TSV was one of my favorite ski areas. The second day I met up with Brett, an Albuquerque local who often comes up to TSV. He showed me around his home mountain and we did some filming with our GoPros (I'm saving the footage for later!). After skiing, we stopped by Taos Mountain Outfitters and the Good Sole, 2 stores owned by my second cousin Sean and his business partner Kara. The showed us their stores and took us to a ceremony put on by the Taos Pueblo for Christmas (sorry no photos were allowed). The Pueblo had constructed massive piles of logs that were burnt in the largest bonfires I have ever seen. The experience was pretty awesome. Unfortunately we eventually had to go back to Boulder but I hope we can make this Taos trip a tradition every winter.

Wheeler Peak (the highest point in New Mexico) and lift 7A

Comforting sign at the TSV base

Lift 1 and Al's Run from the parking lot

Highline Ridge

The Taos downtown

The drive down to Taos with Blanca Peak along NM Highway 552 

San Francisco

We visited the city of San Francisco for the the first time in about 11 years. The weather in SF can be quite nasty but it was quite beautiful for our whole trip and the temperature hovered around 60 degrees. We visited my uncle Thomas who has lived in SF for as long as I can remember. I was amazed with how steep the hills actually were in SF. The rattle of cables pulling the cable cars up the street echoes throughout the city and the spirit of the city seems to come from them. The food in San Francisco was delicious, from fresh seafood at the Tadich Grill to spicy Thai dishes cooked up by chefs in the Tenderloin District. The city doesn't sleep at night with wonderful performances such as the Broadway Musical "Fela!"This was my first Broadway Musical and I was blown away with the passion that these actors have for their roles. I am not surprised that this musical won the Tony Award for its singing and dancing. I also got to see the famous Haight Ashbury District which was the epicenter for the 60's counterculture movement. We also took side trips to Santa Cruz and Berkeley. Santa Cruz has a small town feel and the University of Santa Cruz has one of the most beautiful college campuses I have ever seen. The campus is in a redwood forest divided by steep ravines which make the university feel as if it is perched 100 feet off the ground. Berkeley and Stanford's campuses were not too shabby either. I love the city and it was great to see my uncle who looks great and is wonderful person to talk to. I enjoyed having great conversations with him in the California Academy of Science and him giving us a tour of his city. I hope it doesn't take another 11 years to get back.

Some of the interesting murals found in the city. 

Fisherman's Wharf

The McHenry Library hidden by the redwoods at UC Santa Cruz.

Stanford's beautiful chapel.

Parking restrictions

Occupy Berkeleys signs.

 Occupy San Francisco