Our northern New Mexico home today is a rich and diverse confluence of old and new. The diverse peoples and ways of life meet in Taos; it’s an inextricable part of the culture here. We revel in keeping tradition alive not only because it is important to understand where you and others come from, but because it can be fun! So, let’s celebrate!
Feast Day
We always look forward welcoming autumn with a myriad of festivals from the Taos Pueblo’s Feast Day in town, to Oktoberfest in the mountains!
Each fall, Taos Pueblo celebrates the Pueblo’s patron saint, St. Jerome (San Geronimo) with a sundown dance, followed by Vespers in San Geronimo church. On feast day Monday, there are foot races and the traditional pole climb. Since the event traditionally celebrates harvest, there will be a trade fair with crafts and food for sale. A typical feast day includes “eating, visiting with family, friends and enjoying the traditional dances allowed to public spectators. Including the infamous, mischievous and always incredibly dressed clowns! This year, the public is invited to attend on Monday, September 30.
Oktoberfest
Taos Ski Valley’s roots travel back to old Germany where its founder, Ernie Blake, was born. Oktoberfest harkens back to the 17th century in Germany’s Bavarian capital of Munich. In its first year, the future King Ludwig got married and invited the entire city to attend the celebration. The public party included a large feast and horse races. It was such a hit that they decided to repeat the horse races the following year. Thus the tradition of an annual October gathering – now known as Oktoberfest – was born. In the early years, an agricultural fair was added to the horse races to help boost the economy. By the end of the 1800’s a carnival aspect was added to the gathering, which made the event more attractive to families. Over time the horse races stopped, but the event continued to grow.
As for Oktoberfest’s association with beer, the early gatherings were peppered with small beer stands. It wasn’t until 1896 when they were replaced with large brewery-sponsored beer tents! This year on September 21st-22nd, you can experience a little bit of this Bavarian tradition right here in New Mexico. The alpine European aesthetic of the Taos Ski Valley Village or the striking mountain view from the deck of our own, The Bavarian, might make you forget which side of the globe you’re on.
A Festival of Colors
The new season has pageantry of its own. From foothills to alpine forest, there is a sea of golden regalia in every direction. In town, the cottonwood tree’s large heart-shaped leaves line the country roads in shimmering yellow. The golden regalia flanks winding roads from town to the mesa all the way to Taos Ski Valley. A drive up NM-150 is a destination in itself, each turn revealing a new hillside patchwork of aspen trees. Pull over for a different view and hike a trail like Gavilan or Manzanita Canyons. The payoff is a breathtaking vista of the ski mountain presided over by iconic Kachina Peak in the distance. No matter which hike you choose, there’s always a new leaf to be turned.
Timing is Everything
Fall isn’t here to stay but you can, and finding the right spot lets you enjoy more while it lasts. In the Village of Taos Ski Valley, pet-friendly Alpine Village Suites has sweet rooms in different configurations, some even with balconies overlooking the picturesque Hondo River. When temperatures really begin to drop in October and our first snows overlap with the rainbow of colors in the trees, you’ll get the best show of the season and have an in-room fireplace to cozy up to!
You’ll find convenient gas fireplaces in the condo units at Edelweiss Lodge & Spa, which is on Sutton Place and centrally located to access Wheeler Peak Wilderness trails and our Village retail shops. Condo units come with full kitchens and places to provision are right out your door. Relax by booking a massage after you’ve hit the ground running and stay in for the night!
Book Now, Stay Later
When it comes to ski season like the turning of the leaves, if you’re not early, you’re late! Availability now for the winter months is ideal, so check out our lodging page so you can check in exactly where you want later. Natural Retreats has a handful of vacation homes available to book up in the mountains, but their properties in Arroyo Seco nearby are always a great option to take advantage of all the happenings in town as the holidays approach. It all kicks off with the Taos Mountain Balloon Rally followed by Halloween in historic old town Taos. With the Resort opening Thanksgiving Weekend, it’s a great time for families to enjoy the early season fun in the Downtown Historic District and Plaza, including the lighting of the farolitos on Ledoux Street and magical Christmas Tree in the Plaza. As we like to say… Ski You Soon!