New Mexico
Taos, NM, Bike Park Report: Spice Up Your Summer With a Visit to New Mexico – SnowBrains
Known for its gnarly terrain and rich ski history, Taos Ski Valley is nestled in the shadow of New Mexico’s tallest point: Wheeler Peak. With a past dating back to the 1950s , Taos has been a world-class ski destination for many. But, it’s so much more than just a ski resort. Taos Ski Valley is a community, centered around the “pure mountain experience, where local culture and traditional European hospitality form a welcoming spirit rooted in the natural environment.” This spirit of community, hospitality, and adventure, cultivated by founder Ernie Blake, is every bit as true in the summer as it is in the winter. On a recent trip, I was lucky enough to experience the spirit of Taos in the summertime.
Taos’ bike park is situated below the resort’s infamous Kachina Peak. This is the bike park’s fourth operating year after missing last season because of the upgrade and replacement of Lift 4. The new highspeed Lift 4 was an exciting upgrade for skiers this past season. Now the downhill bikers enjoy the same benefits of a faster chair with quicker laps.
The bike park features a variety of 13, lift-accessed, trails stretched across the back side of the resort. The trails range from tight smooth berms and fun rollers, to steeper technical trails that will test your skills and get your adrenaline pumping. In classic Taos fashion, even the bike park green, “Green Chile,” is a little spicy. Green Chile, the main green from top to bottom, is flowy and fun. It’s the perfect warm-up run to find your groove, but still technical enough to ride over and over without getting bored. The more difficult trails have features like drops, jumps, and berms with rocks and roots to navigate around.
Downhill biking can be intimidating but unlike other major resort bike parks, the Taos Bike Park is extremely welcoming. Staying true to Ernie Blake’s vision of hospitality and welcoming spirit, anyone can find a trail for their level at the Taos Bike Park. If it’s your first time biking at Taos, there’s no downside to having an instructor guide you through the trails. They know the mountain like the back of their hand and offer advice on form and style—it’s a game changer. For novices, try taking a Mountain Bike 101 class. The instructors are knowledgeable and encouraging. Not only will you feel confident while descending, but you’ll finish the day feeling like you have expanded your skill set and knowledge of the mountain and sport.
At the base of Lift 4 is the Kachina Sports Shop which is stocked with everything you’ll need for a day of ripping on the mountain. It’s here where you’ll find the lift ticket office and rentals offered through the resort. They have it all, from full-suspension rental bikes, protective full-face and regular bike helmets, shin and elbow pads, and even sternum protectors and GoPro mounts. There’s even a tech shop if you need to catch up on regular maintenance or have a gear malfunction while out on the trails.
Aprés shredding the mountain, take a pit stop at the Bavarian, a picturesque European restaurant located at the base of Lift 4. The Bavarian embodies the essence of Ernie Blake’s vision of bringing European culture to Taos Ski Valley. Here you can enjoy a German beer and pretzel with your riding pals while soaking in the rays with a view of Kachina Peak. With plans to build bocce ball and volleyball courts out front, the Bavarian is the ultimate hang-out spot.
Biking is a great way to experience the mountain, but downhill biking may not be for everyone. Taos Sports Shop rents E-bikes and is a fun alternative to downhill biking. It’s a great way to zip around the base area and enjoy the mountain. Taos Sports Shop is conveniently located on the front side of the resort, on the plaza level of The Blake Hotel.
Back on the front side of the mountain, at the base of Taos Ski Resort, you’ll find a variety of accommodations, including The Blake hotel. When staying at The Blake – named after founder Ernie Blake and the Blake family – you’re right in the heart of it all. Everything you’ll need is conveniently within walking distance, which means you won’t need your car. The Blake offers complimentary valet parking for its guests. Restaurants like the Taos Ale House, The Blonde Bear, 192 at the Blake, and Rhoda’s, are just steps from the hotel. The Black Diamond Coffee Cart offers a quick breakfast option with burritos, quiches, yogurt with granola, and an assortment of coffees. It’s easy to grab and go before you head out on your next adventure.
The beauty of Taos Ski Valley is there’s something here for everyone. Whether you’re an avid outdoor adventurist, or just looking for a peaceful escape in the beautiful Rocky Mountains it can be found here. In addition to the endless outdoor activities, Taos Ski Valley puts on a variety of weekend events throughout the summer. Events range from local art markets, yoga classes, fly fishing gear demos, outdoor movies, and even games for the kiddos on the Eis Haus lawn. There’s even a pickleball court where you can challenge your friends and family.
Taos is a B-certified corporation and has the well-being of the environment at the forefront of everything they do – including the Chili Cook-off. Taos is committed to using eco-friendly and sustainable materials for its events, such as the recyclable paper cups used throughout the Chili Cook-off. This was a welcome change as opposed to single-use styrofoam cups that were previously used.
After exploring the mountain, chasing adrenaline, and enjoying the festivities around the base, the perfect way to unwind is at the Spa and Wellness Center at The Blake. It’s the best way to relax and recover after an adventure. There’s a variety of treatments to choose from: massages, facials, and aromatherapy. Before, (and even after) your treatments consider relaxing in the steam room, hot tub, or by the pool. Surrounded by historical paraphernalia from local tribes as well as the rich history of Ernie Blake’s past with the mountain, the Spa at The Blake is a great way to embrace the culture and relaxation as your trip begins to wind down.
Taos Ski Valley offers an unforgettable blend of adventure and tranquility. Whether you’re navigating the exhilarating trails, indulging in local cuisine, or relaxing at The Blake Spa, the spirit of Taos—rooted in hospitality and natural beauty—shines through. Give yourself the chance to reconnect with the mountains and even your own spirit. Pack your bags and experience the magic of Taos, where every moment promises discovery and delight.
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New Mexico
Running hot and cold: New Mexico runners earn 17 All American awards at national XC championships
YOUTH SPORTS
Gianna Chavez earns fourth in boys 8-and-under race
New Mexico had 17 athletes earn All American awards at the 2025 National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championship meet held Saturday at snowy Blue River Cross Country Course in Shelbyville, Indiana.
Gianni Chavez, of Albuquerque Athletics Track, earned his fourth USA Track & Field All American award with a fourth place finish in the 8-and-under boys 2K race. Chavez, an Osuna Elementary third-grader, ran his 2K race in a personal best time of 7 minutes, 44.9 seconds.
The top 25 individual finishers and top three teams earn USATF All American awards.
The Cougar Track Club 8U girls team, based out of Albuquerque, placed second and was led by Antonette Marquez, who finished 12th. Other CTC 8U girls team members include Kimberly Reed (31st), Viola Crabbe Maple (55th), Payton Pacheco (61st), Chloe Chino (85th), Emery Grieco (113th) and Zay’a Cheromiah (149th).
Others individual All American award winners include Ava Denton, of AAT, 16th in 13/14 girls 4K; Brynlee Reed, of CTC, 22nd in 15/16 girls 5K; Sihasin Fleg, of Running Medicine, 21st in 8U girls 2K; Eden Pino, of Running Medicine, 12th in 9/10 girls 3K; Nizhoni Fleg, of Running Medicine, 14th in 17/18 girls 5K; Brady Garcia, of Running Medicine, seventh in 17/18 boys 5K; Justice Jones, of Zia, 14th in 9/10 girls 3K; Emilo Otero Soltero, of Dukes Track Club, 12th in 9/10 boys 3K; Miles Gray, unattached, 21st in 9/10 boys 3K.
Also Saturday, at the Brooks Cross Country Nationals in San Diego, Eldorado’s Gianna Rahmer placed 17th in the girls championship 5K with a time of 18:00.7 and Moriarty’s Carmen Dorsey-Spitz placed 25th 18:09.4.
El Paso police seek suspect in East Side robbery, burglary
An unidentified man is suspected in an East Side robbery and a restaurant burglary on Oct. 20, 2025, in Crime Stoppers of El Paso’s Crime of the Week.
Provided by Crime Stoppers of El Paso
An Anthony, New Mexico man was sentenced to nearly two decades in federal prison for selling methamphetamine from a trailer on his parents’ property, authorities said.
A federal judge sentenced David Amaya, 43, to 19 years and seven months in prison on one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, New Mexico federal court records show. He was also sentenced to five years of supervised release after he serves his prison term.
U.S. District Judge Margaret I. Strickland handed down the sentence on Wednesday, Dec. 10, at the federal courthouse in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kirk Williams prosecuted the case.
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Mexico Ryan Ellison and FBI Albuquerque Field Office Special Agent in Charge Justin A. Garris announced Amaya’s sentencing in a joint news release.
Amaya pleaded guilty to the charge in September as part of a plea agreement that dismissed one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, court records show.
Anthony, New Mexico man sells meth on parents’ property
FBI agents began investigating Amaya after he sold methamphetamine to a “controlled buyer” in July and August 2024, the news release states. Controlled buys are when law enforcement uses an undercover agent or a witness to purchase drugs from a suspected drug dealer.
The agents obtained a search warrant on Aug. 22, 2024, for a “specific tow-behind type trailer that Amaya was known to be living in and conducting narcotics transfers out of,” a federal complaint affidavit states. The trailer was located on property owned by Amaya’s parents in Anthony, New Mexico, the news release states.
The trailer did not have a restroom, but agents found a small makeshift bathroom structure with a porta-potty inside next to the trailer. The agents then obtained a warrant to also search the small bathroom structure.
The agents found “a large quantity of white crystalline substance suspected to be methamphetamine” throughout the trailer and bathroom structure, the affidavit states. In the bathroom, agents found a clothing hamper with “a gallon zip lock bag full of suspected methamphetamine” hidden inside.
Agents found a black Ruger .357 caliber handgun containing five rounds of .357 caliber ammunition and a black Mossberg 500 E410 gauge shotgun on the bed inside the trailer, the affidavit states. The news release states agents found “hundreds of rounds of ammunition.”
They also found about 4.42 grams of methamphetamine on the bed and another 26 grams under the bed, the affidavit states. Agents found eight more grams of methamphetamine on a nightstand.
Amaya told agents during an interview that the methamphetamine was his, he had acquired it over a period of time, and did not realize how much it was, the affidavit states. He added he “needed the guns for protection, so people would know he has them, making him safer,” the affidavit states.
In total, the agents found 1,183 grams of methamphetamine.
Aaron Martinez covers the criminal justice system for the El Paso Times. He may be reached at amartinez1@elpasotimes.com.
GRANTS, N.M. – The City of Grants is canceling this year’s annual Christmas light parade, citing the safety of the public and their own officers.
Dozens of floats were supposed to roll down Santa Fe Avenue on Saturday night, but Grants police are holding off until next year after three incidents where someone shot at law enforcement officers.
“It was definitely a difficult decision, but due to the incident that took place on December 8, where law enforcement was shot at in the area of Santa Fe Avenue, we made that decision to protect the citizens of Grants,” says Grants Police Chief Maxine Monte.
She says a New Mexico State Police officer was shot at while making a traffic stop. The officer walked away uninjured, but this was too much for the chief.
“We’ve had three different incidents where law enforcement was shot at. One was May of 2025, the other one was August of 2025, and then the recent event of December 8 of 2025,” says Monte.
It’s not a risk the chief wants to take, and points out people would be standing exactly where the last shooting happened.
“We have a lot of citizens that attend our parade, and our main concern was that they were out in the open in the middle of the night, and in the same area that our latest shooting took place.”
Grant residents will be able to see the floats during the day on Saturday. But even some daylight isn’t convincing some residents.
“I’ll be staying home,” said Amy Brigdon. “There’s too many people in the world that want to see bad things happen to other people. I’m not one of them.”
Police still don’t have a suspect for this week’s attempted shooting. Anyone with information is asked to get in touch with the Grants Police Department.
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