News

Slowly but surely the Taos Ski Valley 2010 Master Development Plan progresses. The Notice of Availability (NOA) for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Taos Ski Valley's 2010 Master Development Plan - Phase 1 Projects was published in the Federal Register on January 13, 2012. A 45-day comment period began the day after the publication date of the NOA (the Comment Period ends February 27, 2012).

Here at SnowCode Headquarters we love mountains. And looking at snow-covered mountains is even better. I am excited to say that I can now see Mount Everest, all 8,848 meters of it, from my house. No, I didn't move to Tibet. But thanks to the people of Ev-K2-CNR there is a live webcam showing good old Chomolungma.

What: 24th Annual Tony Forrest Telemark Workshop
When: January 29 & 30, 2011 from 10 am - 3pm
Where: Ski Santa Fe, 505-992-5084

Can a ski area grow and be green? Must a ski area expand to remain competitive and attract skiers and boarders? Does proposing a development plan make a ski area less environmentally friendly? These aren't rhetorical questions, they apply to ski areas worldwide. For example, Taos Ski Valley has presented a 10-year Master Development Plan to the Forest Service. As Taos Ski Valley operates on Forest Service land the public is invited to comment on the development plans. So, here are a few of mine.

Mountains are a source of inspiration, recreation, beauty and solitude. Mountains hold the snow that we ski in winter and then melts in Spring and Summer to water our fields and gardens. Swiss researchers have found that mountains may act as bio-diverse refuges for plant and animal species as global warming alters the climate. Here is just one more reason to respect and preserve the mountains we love.

Autumn rainstorms make for a cool and melancholy day. But, rain in town often means snow in the mountains. The ski season may still be weeks away, but seeing snowy peaks can get me in the mood. Ski movies and ski swaps also get me excited for the upcoming season. Read below for the time, date and places for Matchstick Production's newest ski film THE WAY I SEE IT and the Santa Fe Ski Team's Winter Gear Swap.

WHAT: THE WAY I SEE IT by Matchstick Productions
WHEN: Friday, November 5, 6:00 & 8:30pm
WHERE: CinemaCafé, 1616 St. Michael's Drive, Santa Fe, NM

...sitting here on Capitol Hill. The clock is ticking while the American Clean Energy Leadership Act (ACELA) sits in a Senate committee. If you're not a policy wonk (political nerd) the US Senate must vote on this bill before April 16, 2010 or it expires. Apparently, some Senators are willing to let the bill die. If you are concerned about reducing CO2 emissions nationally and growing renewable energy, then it's time to call or write your Senator.

The modern Olympic Games are a showcase for athletic competition and for the city and country that host them. Vancouver, British Columbia will host the 2010 Winter Olympics and the organizing committee (VANOC) is going all out to present their city at its best.