Surly lot, skiers, and quite protective of their dwindling exclusive turf. Bogus, cry the riders, who point out that it's public land, and they pay taxes, too. Well, sort of . . . The Taos ban, they say, is far more egregious than those at the nation's other three rider-free zones. Alta, after all, is right next door to massive Snowbird, which welcomes boarders.
Deer Valley is right up against rider-friendly Park City.
And riders at Aspen have their choice of alternative hills. But no other resort in New Mexico can compete with Taos Ski Valley's altitude, which gives it a longer and better snow season. That' s why you'll continue to see snowboarders eagerly waiting for ski season to end each spring - so they can reclaim their mountain by hiking it and riding. But the Free Taos rebels know evolution is on their side. Taos, like every other resort, eventually will succumb to the sheer demographics and economics of it.