Trails and Guided Backcountry Tours
Snowshoeing and backcountry skiing provide a unique and fun way to enjoy the outdoors in winter. Enjoy exploring quiet winter trails on a sunny afternoon. Or go on a guided backcountry skiing or snowshoeing tour to experience the beauty of hiking in the winter.
TRAIL UPDATE ((Late May 2023): Spring conditions present extra challenges and varied conditions. Spring runoff has swollen the numerous water crossings especially in the canyon trails. Lower elevation trails will have no snow in open and south facing areas. In the trees and north facing aspects, you may find some snow in places. Higher elevation trails (like Williams Lake) will have snow in the forested and north facing slopes. All trails are open.
You can Snowshoe or backcountry ski (skin) up to Williams Lake—a 4-mile round trip hike from The Bavarian. Other options include Gavilan Trail (3.3 miles one way), Italianos Canyon Trail (3.7 miles one way), Bull of the Woods Trail (3 miles one way), Manzanita Canyon Trail (4.2 miles one way) and Yerba Canyon Trail (3.9 miles one way). All of these trails are accessible from Highway 150, the Taos Ski Valley road. Scroll to the bottom of this page for trail maps.
The two most popular trails for snowshoeing are Williams Lake and Bull of The Woods/Wheeler Peak Trail #90. More trails including popular cross country ski trails can be found at Carson National Forest. For groomed cross country ski trails, check out the Enchanted Forest XC Ski Area near Red River.
See all trails in Taos Ski Valley on HikingProject.com – free GPS coordinates, descriptions, photos and other info.
Taos Avalanche Center forecasts, observations, and more information.
Snowshoe Rentals
Snowshoes/poles can be rented at Cottams’s Ski Shop.