Review: The Blake at Taos Ski Valley

As I sipped a pilsner and noshed on a bratwurst blanketed with sauerkraut, I watched people ski elegantly down the mountain slopes. And in a couple hours, I’d mosey back to the resort for a therapeutic massage enhanced with magnesium gel to restore my achy muscles, tired from traversing the 9,321-foot elevation alpine terrain.

For a moment, I actually forgot that I wasn’t relaxing in the European Alps but, in fact, exploring northern New Mexico, not all that far from home. It wasn’t my first visit to Taos, a high-desert town known for its artist colony, historic adobe buildings and Taos Pueblo, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that belongs to the Tiwa Native American tribe of Puebloan people. But it was my first stay up in Taos Ski Valley, the world-class ski resort snuggled into the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, the start of the North American Rocky Mountains.

With 1,294 gorgeous acres of diverse recreation area, the resort attracts a unique blend of adrenaline junkies, nature lovers, outdoorsy families and art connoisseurs, and I found The Blake at Taos Ski Valley to be a perfect home base from which to discover it all. 

Here’s everything advisors need to know to craft the ideal stay for clients.

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Alpine-Chic Accommodations

The 115-key lodge offers rooms and suites that blend alpine guesthouse style with modern amenities, with on-call guest-service “hausmeisters” who can attend to every need. My 530-square-foot queen room was bedecked with dark wood and jewel tones balanced by cozy neutrals and cabin-chic decor such as rustic tree-trunk table lamps, woodsy wallpaper and a wrought-iron bed frame. The space also came complete with a spacious bathroom, a walk-in closet and a balcony with views of the surrounding mountains and the Village of Taos Ski Valley.

For an upgrade, clients can choose from 1,165 square-foot one- or two-bedroom suites that feature in-unit washer-dryers, full kitchenettes and gas fireplaces, or go full luxe with a stay in one of the Blake Penthouses — two-story, three- and four-bedroom suites with lots of space and charm. There are also 24 private condominiums, built in 2021, available for stays.

Elevated Experiences

No matter the accommodation, a stay at The Blake can be enhanced by booking The Blake Elevated Experiences. Recently reimagined and rolling out this summer, these four-day, three-night immersive packages are personalized to guest preferences and focused on mountain recreation, local culture or wellness. Itinerary options can range from visits to Taos Pueblo, tours of The Blake’s private art collection, yoga and spa treatments to hiking, biking, fly fishing and a via ferrata course at 11,500 feet.

During my stay, I was able to both sink into deep relaxation with my one-hour Signature Therapeutic Massage, and join a guest experience concierge for an art tour around the hotel, an activity that truly delighted and surprised me. The Blake’s impressive collection contains a range of media, from large-scale oils by Taos Society artists Walter Ufer and E. Martin Hennings to lithographs by Georgia O’Keeffe and historic photographs featuring Taos Pueblo inhabitants and the legendary 10th Mountain Division — a group of men who assembled in the ski valley to train for combat in alpine conditions during World War II.

The Elevated Experiences aren't just for adults, however; there is now full-day programming available for kids ages 5 and up that features supervised activities such as hiking, mountain biking, arts and crafts, cultural tours and the via ferrata.

Activities for All Seasons

Taos Ski Valley is a bucket list destination for skiers, and The Blake is conveniently located adjacent to Lift 1 for travelers seeking world-renowned steep runs of dry powder. But once the snow melts and summer gets into full swing, there’s lots to do for all ages and interests. (Plus, the Sangre de Cristos provide a welcome escape from the heat of New Mexico, with temperatures that are often 20 to 30 degrees cooler than the surrounding areas.) 

New this year are Mountain Bike Lessons for beginner and experienced riders — with new trails, faster lift access and a soon-to-open skills park for young ones — along with a pickleball court for a mountain-air version of the popular sport. There are also many festivals and events in the warmer months, including the annual Mountain Chili Cook-Off, an arts festival, the Bull of the Woods trail race and an Oktoberfest weekend.

For those who prefer the leisurely side of life, Taos Ski Valley will run Lift 1 and Lift 4 for scenic views of the alpine topography, and clients can rent e-bikes from Taos Sports in the Village to explore the valley or pop over to The Bavarian Restaurant in nearby Kachina Basin to take in live music and German specialties. 

Mountainside Dining

The Bavarian is where I got lost in my alpine daydream, and it’s just one of many dining options for guests of The Blake. On-site at the hotel, 192 at The Blake is the go-to spot for fuel-up breakfasts (try the acai and granola Shredder Bowl), hearty lunches between outdoorsy pursuits and lingering dinners to reflect on the events of the day. Don’t miss 192’s extensive wine menu, which includes picks from France, Italy, Oregon, California and more. 

There’s also Rhoda’s, open on summer weekends for barbecue with a view, and Cid’s Mountain Market, which has both basic grocery items and snacks, as well as bougier options such as fancy cheeses and top-shelf spirits for an apres-ski or mountain biking beverage (I snagged a canned aperitivo spritz to sip after a few laps in the hotel pool).

Local Flair

The Blake and Taos Ski Valley — the world’s only Certified B Corporation ski resort — are committed to showcasing local vendors and welcoming area residents throughout the year. One big way the resort is fulfilling that promise is by offering Winter 2025 season pass-holders a complimentary or significantly discounted Summer 2024 pass for access to lift-served mountain biking and scenic lift rides for the first time. 

There are also summertime activities offered at no cost to Taos locals, including an annual Community Day and the 12 Weeks of Taos festival, a line-up of free activities such as outdoor yoga, movie screenings and fly-fishing tutorials that runs July 4 to Sept. 22.

The Blake, meanwhile, provides bath amenities from Bison Star, co-owned by a tribal member of Taos Pueblo, as well as loose-leaf tea from tea.o.graphy, a female-owned, small-batch tea store based in downtown Taos. 

Year-round, there’s no shortage of mountain bliss and local flair at The Blake. And with full summer operations officially underway in Taos Ski Valley, there’s no better time to get clients into alpine heaven, beer brat and lager in-hand.