A Skier’s Paradise
With about 300 bluebird days a year, it’s a skier’s paradise. While looking down the face of Powderhorn trail, I abruptly stopped. The air was still as I took off my goggles to ensure my lenses weren’t deceiving me. No, it was true. The view really does go on forever, and the sky truly is, as the skiing saying goes, absolutely bluebird. It’s a scene Taos Ski Valley wants to protect forever.
B Corp Certification
On a beautiful December day, I made my way to Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico to discover what makes this place so special. It’s a resort town that has readjusted to the times and is now the only certified B Corp mountain on earth.
“Somebody asked us, you sound like a B Corp, and we started to investigate what is a B Corp and realized that yes, the work that we’re doing is the work of a B Corp,” David Norden, the CEO of Taos, shared as we sat together mountainside. “When we learned more about the B Corp movement, we felt it would be appropriate for us to look into certification.”
It’s no easy task to become B Corp certified for any business, let alone a mountain. Companies must show total transparency on employee pay, philanthropic pursuits, supply chains, and input materials, according to BCorporation.net. This is a distinction held by brands like Patagonia, Athleta, and Ben & Jerry’s.
For Taos, becoming a B Corp organization means that “we place environmental and social responsibility at a very high level, we surround ourselves with other B Corporations, and we learn from those organizations to advance in some of the work that we’re doing,” Norden said. “It has driven us to decisions like ensuring we have pay equity across all positions, regardless of gender, race, or age, and ensuring we pay a livable wage, not just the minimum wage, [and provide] our staff with time to volunteer for local non-profits.”
However, it’s not a one-and-done process. Like all B Corps, the mountain must recertify every three years and is currently under its second recertification process. While Taos is the only B Corp mountain, Norden believes (and hopes) that others will follow suit.
Sustainable Practices
So, how exactly do guests at Taos experience this commitment to sustainability? On my trip, I noticed it in various ways. For example, Gatorade comes in cans—there’s no plastic here. Additionally, every single-use item is made from recycled products. Behind the scenes, all grooming machines are electric, and by the end of the 2022/23 season, all snowmobiles will be too.
In 2022, the mountain also gained carbon neutral certification from Climate Impact Partners, achieving this eight years ahead of its goal. This means that all emissions from the mountain are offset by either natural carbon sinks or via carbon credits, “almost like a carbon tax,” Norden explained.
“We now understand what our carbon footprint is, we understand what our emissions are, we understand we need to utilize offsets to become net-zero,” Norden stated, adding that the ultimate goal is zero emissions.
This dedication to the environment also extends beyond the slopes and into Taos Ski Village businesses. At the Blake Hotel, luxury and eco-friendliness converge. Key cards are made from recycled wood, as is the do-not-disturb sign on the door. There are no plastic lids to be found, only real glass mugs and cups.
“If you’re staying at The Blake, you’ll learn about things like heating and cooling with geothermal well fields. You’ll notice there are no straws in the restaurant and places to refill your water bottle,” Norden noted.
Moreover, Taos limits the number of guests to just 5,000 riders per day. Consequently, this ensures that the mountain isn’t overburdened, allowing every skier and rider ample space to make big, open turns.
“We feel that growth in skier visits is not the best approach for us. We always look to improve the experience,” Norden emphasized. “If we can refine [our facilities] and focus on an improved and heightened experience, then that is more important than just pure growth.”
As I began my final run of the day, I reflected on my short time in Taos. Overlooking the ski valley, I could make out the road leading back and realized that this mountain hidden in the Rockies is more than just a place to ski. It is a catalyst for change. Places like Taos, with its staff of passionate and caring individuals, work hard to preserve these destinations. Because of them, the future of skiing looks bright.
Where to Stay
The Blake Hotel: The Blake Hotel is a 4-star, 80-room hotel offering guests everything they could want from a mountain getaway, including two outdoor hot tubs, a pool, a fitness center, and a spa. The hotel features a “ski valet” where guests leave their gear in locked shelves and can easily access the mountain.
Edelweiss Lodge & Spa: Across the street from The Blake is another family favorite, Edelweiss. Here, guests have front-door access to the “gondolita,” a miniature gondola that transports skiers to and from the children’s ski school area. The hotel offers room options with one, two, or three bathrooms, and even a “lock off” option where guests can rent a singular bedroom of a larger condominium.
Getting There
Taos is remote but well worth the trip. For a seamless experience, fly Taos Air from Austin, Burbank, Dallas, or San Diego. If you’re familiar with the route from Santa Fe, you can also drive from there.
