9 minute read
Taos Ski Valley
Mountain Adapts To COVID To Provide Safe Family Fun
By EFRAIN VILLA
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As we soar higher and higher, suspended above the fluffy snow gleaming on the mountain slope beneath us, I listen to my snowboarding instructor, Jake Wilkes, philosophize on the beauty of snow sports. He interrupts himself to point to a nimble skier far beneath our chairlift deftly maneuvering through moguls. I glimpse him right before he disappears behind a patch of trees, leaving a wispy trail of white powder floating in his wake.
“That looked like a comet,” I tell Jake.
To be fair, saying Burt is an amazing skier is not so much flattery as it is stating the obvious. The surprising part is how well his knees have kept
up with his four decades of coaching. Then again, he knows how to treat them well, and teaching others how to treat their own bodies and minds well happens to be one of his passions.
“We prioritize people skills in all of our instructors,” says Burt. “People think instructors spend a lot of time learning how to teach technique, but we actually spend a lot of time working on how to relate to people and build relationships, so we understand motivations and cognitive and behavioral abilities. That’s why we have kids who have been coming here since they were five and now that they’re teenagers, they are still skiing with the same instructor.” The Perfect Time to Go: The pandemic has reminded humanity how fast life can change, but for the moment, this might be the best time to visit. “If you’re looking to really get out and enjoy the mountain and time with your family, there’s probably no better year to do it, because there are no other distractions,” says CEO David Norden. “There are also no big crowds and we are taking COVID precautions very seriously.”
Pandemic countermeasures Taos instated to become New Mexico Safe Certified include having employees work in pods to minimize potential transmissions along with contact tracing, temperature checks, enforcing the mask requirement and eliminating nightlife activities.
The cozy restaurants with roaring fireplaces are also closed. If you’re staying at The Blake, the flagship hotel at Taos Ski Valley, food can be ordered at restaurants and hotel staff will deliver it directly to your room. “It’s our version of Uber Eats,” says David. “We are trying to do our part so restaurants in our community stay in business.”
The pandemic has forced many children to be cooped up due to school closures and many parents are tired of living life through a Zoom frame. Without the worry of overcrowding, right now might be the best time to try snowboarding or skiing as a family. Springtime can yield excellent snow conditions. The Rio Hondo Learning Center: The center was renovated three years ago and turned into an interactive wonderland. Architectural elements were integrated into streamlined, kid-friendly registration processes and equipment fitting. The building’s concrete support pillars, for example, were painted to look like aspen trunks with markings denoting height, so young skiers can be outfitted easily with the right size skis or snowboards. The scale is a repurposed chairlift that gets kids immediately used to the concept of sitting in open air transportation. There is also a small climbing wall with plenty of padding and the bathrooms have miniaturized everything, including tiny toilets and miniscule sinks for handwashing. Even the signs and artwork are placed low to the ground.
Having the building’s form follow its function means less time engaged in the more tedious aspects of snow sports lessons and more time learning to ski or snowboard.
For now, most of the registration and fitting process is done outside until it is safe to gather indoors once again. And the ski school is only conducting private and small group lessons. The Perfect Progression: The topography of the beginner slopes has recently been reshaped to create what instructors call “the perfect progression.” The contours of the hill are designed to support the foundational techniques all snowboarders and skiers must learn.
“The whole idea behind the perfect progression park is we want to teach the idea of ‘go’ versus the idea of ‘stop,’” says Burt. “It's about flow. Snowboarding and skiing become fun once you can start moving instead of worrying about stopping. Gravity slows you down. If you drop a beachball on this terrain, you wouldn't have to worry about slowing it down; it would naturally do what it's going to do. It’s the same for people. The first time you go down, even if you lose it and don't have control, the landscape will put you back where you're supposed to be. It's like you have natural bumper guards.” On Equal Footing: Learning skiing or snowboarding as a family upends that typical family hierarchy in fun, safe and fascinating ways. “It's a bonding process when families learn together,” says Burt. “It's sort of a chance for a little bit of role reversal, where the parents are glad the children are learning something new and then the kids are glad that mom and dad are also finally getting it. Everybody is going through the same experience while having some of the same challenges and successes.” Puppy Love: One of the biggest attractions at Taos Ski Valley has little to do with snow sports. The avalanche dogs have become celebrities. “A lot of parents will tell their kids, ‘Let’s go meet the avi dogs,’” says David. “We have even had demonstrations where we bury something, and the dogs have to find it in the snow to show how they could find a skier lost in an avalanche. Everybody loves the dogs.”
Although the dogs may not always be available to interact with guests, since they are on the clock, people are welcome to ask about opportunities to see them at work, David says.
A toddler learns to snowboard with a family member in the Pioneer Beginner’s Area. Courtesy photos. A father and daughter ski the Highline Ridge, where more advanced skiers and riders can hike to select terrain.
Let’s Read Let’s Read Let’s Read
These book reviews were written by Christine Laffler’s 4th grade students at Manzano Day school.
Clouds: Life’s Big & Little Moments
Authors: Angie and Alli Simpson Illustrator: Lucy Fleming Publisher: Aladdin Ages: 4-8 This book is all about the stories that can be found in the clouds. It tells the story of a girl who is grow-
ing up. Her mom sees the past in the clouds above. This is the best book when you need some comfort. The illustrations are beautiful and the words are soothing. This is a book that brings me peace and joy. I really recommend this book; it’s beautiful!
Maggie A., 10
Albuquerque
It's Brave to Cry
Author: Rebecca Robinson Illustrator: Emanuela Ntamack Publisher: Rebecca Robinson Ages: 4-8 This book shows that even the bravest people cry. It is specifically for younger kids, but I think it’s great for every age group. In this book, Clay’s dad tells him not to hold his feelings in and that it is brave to cry. Clay learns all about the many people who cry. He visits firemen, window washers and even his teacher and they all tell him the same thing: that crying is brave. If you're wanting a book that explains feelings, then this is the book for you. This book makes people realize that holding your emotions in doesn't make you brave at all.
Miles E., 10
No Voice Too Small: Fourteen Young Americans Making History
Editors: Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson & Jeanette Bradley Publisher: Charlesbridge Ages: 5-9 “You’re never too young or too small to change the world,” says youth activist Mari Copeny. I think you should read this book because you can see that even the tiniest voices or people can change the world. This book introduces us to so many amazing young people. From Jasilyn Charger, a water protector, to Viridiana Sanchez Santos, who speaks out against anti-immigration attitudes,
there are so many great stories in this book. One of my favorite people in the book is Jazz Jennings. She is a transgender girl soccer player who wants to make sure everyone can play sports as the gender they identify with. This book is very inspiring! I loved this book and I hope you love it too.
Chloe D.G., 10
From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Author: Janae Marks Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books Ages: 8-12 This book is about a girl named Zoe who receives a letter on her birthday from her father, Marcus, who is in jail. Zoe doesn't know much about Marcus, but she starts to write letters back to him -- letters she has to keep secret from her mom. Zoe also starts making a new cupcake flavor to get a spot on the “Kids Bake Challenge!” show. Meanwhile, Marcus writes to Zoe saying he is innocent. Zoe decides to investigate on her own, but she is struggling with the burden she has taken on. Can she prove Marcus innocent? Will she get on the show? Will her mom find out about her letters to Marcus? This book is amazing and we couldn’t put it down! Read “From the Desk of Zoe Washington” for a roller coaster ride!
By Iris K., Kate S. & Sarah H., 10
Black Brother, Black Brother
Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Ages: 8-11 This is a really important book. In this story, Donte and his brother Trey move to a new school, Middle Field Prep. At this school, there are only a few black students. Some of the white students bully Donte because of his dark skin. They don’t bully his brother because he has lighter brown skin. It is this bullying that leads Donte to want to learn how to fence. You should read this book because it shows you not to treat people differently just because of their skin color and to treat others equally. Black Brother, Black Brother is about not giving up when things get hard and believing in yourself even when you are being bullied or treated differently. We give this book a 5-star rating!
By Laasya T., 9, & Sara H., 10
