Free Taos
Almost all Taos business owners are now convinced we will see the financial benefits from the first day Taos Ski Valley (TSV) lifts its ban on snowboarding. But we also live here, and this issue is as much about our community as money. The truth is, Taos Ski Valley is now largely out of step with its local community.
The snowboard ban also heavily skews the market Taos does attract. The family market the ski area used to serve (which was the main concern of mountain founder Ernie Blake) are now heading elsewhere. The result is businesses like mine (I own a bagel store), that would benefit from less-affluent and younger customers, increasingly suffer. And local kids, often driven by parents, head out of town (along with their cash) to another lesser ski area.
Locals want to be proud of their ski area as a focal point of the community. But the no-snowboard policy simply takes money out of the local economy and inconveniences thousands of potential users.
The day Taos Ski Valley announces an end to its pointless ban, they can be sure that I, my friends, fellow business owners and the entire community will do everything possible to make Taos Ski Valley the great mountain it once was and deserves to be again.
—Jack Wilson, Owner of J&J bagels and a sponsored rider for Lib Tec.
Taos Replies
Free the Snow is an Internet-based organization founded by a Santa Fe snowboarder and writer funded by Nike ACG and Heelside Snowboards. The group wants snowboarding bans lifted from Taos Ski Valley, Aspen Mountain and Alta. We believe Mr. Wilson’s letter is a part of that effort.
We defend our right to make our own business decisions and to stand by them when our own data indicate they are sound. We know skiers come here because of our policy and believe that by remaining a purely Alpine ski area we not only honor Ernie Blake’s vision, but secure a special niche for Taos. We do not believe any special interest group has earned the right to tell us how to run our business.
We are proud to be in the company of Ajax and Alta.
—Mickey Blake, General Manager, Taos Ski Valley
