Taos Sacred Places 2010

Most readers know that Taos has a unique twist that has attracted visitors for decades if not centuries. The focus of the communities marketing program for 2010 high lights that somewhat sacred mystical connection system with the them Return to Sacred Places, Taos, 2010.

Stories and events are planned around that theme for the entire year. Coverage includes historical activities, cultural experiences, artistic endeavors, and more. Perhaps this is an opportunity for each of you to energize your life, connect to who and what you are, connect to the world via Taos' sacred mystical cultural ether.

Here's a link to the web site for the 2010 theme: http://taossacredplaces.com/. Enjoy your review of Taos' Sacred Places. We invite you to make Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza your headquarters for Experiencing Taos' Sacred Places events and activities. As we indicated before, we offer visitors Taos' most convenient downtown location, clean and comfortable hotel and lodging accommodations, Guest oriented "tour guide" like service, and always affordable value pricing. Visit www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn for more hotel and tourist information. Call toll free 800-444-2346 to reserve. Do it now. Ski you in Taos.

Snow Storms Again, YEAH!

Big storm exiting NM today. Left roads a mess but Ullr, we thank you!

Angel Fire got the most with 9". Sipapu floowed closely with 7". Taos sort of left out with only 3". We are thankful for any and all new snow. Guests are telling us the skiing is terrific.

Check each area for specific events at each area. Lots of entertainment at Taos on the weekends. Lots going on in town on weekends too.

Remember, the Ski Week at Taos special for $99 ends after Sunday the 31st. That's a 60%+savings off normal pricing. 6 morning lessons followed by your daily practice will improve your skiing impressively.

Keep the savings going by booking your room at Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza. We'll do a weekly for as low as $249. That's under $36 a night. We'll even upgrade singles to our deluxe single king bed rooms. Most folks really enjoy their stay with us. Your banker will too. www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn for an overview of the hotel. Call 800-444-2346 to reserve.

Shovel Races Return to Angel Fire

February 5 & 6, 2010 is the dawn of a new era of shovel racing at Angel Fire. Gone are the days of wildly built speed machines. Gone are the sight of card board contraptions flying down the slope. Off to history are the days of organized (right) teams floating down the slope in their custom "shovel".

Turns out, insurance (may I add lawyers) finally got the best of what used to be a plain and simple fun activity. Sport if you use that term very loosely. Perhaps a ski hill is a bit past the point of needing or using almost F1 technology to build a faster "shovel".

This year the rules are quite simple. Production snow shovels only. Modifications NOT permited. Helmets and eyewear are required.

The 4-1-1: www.angelfireresort.com

We'd love your overnight business at Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza. If one of your party would prefer to shop and experience Taos history, we're just a short distance from historic Taos Plaza and all the surrounding shops, museums, galleries, and other sights. Visit: www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn for a preview of the hotel. Call 800-444-2346 to book your visit for the shovel races or any other time.

Taos Shortz Film Fest

February 5, 6, & 7, 2010 brings the Taos Shortz Film Festival. TSFF is dedicated to showing short films from around the world. The mission is to provide a venue for indie film makers to show their work and build their network connections. Here's their web site: http://www.taosshortz.com/.

Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza invites you to support the efforts of both the festival organizers (massive task) and the film makers. Enjoy a fun weekend in Taos.

Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza offers a special weekend rate of $69 for festival attendees. You'll find us conveniently located just a couple blocks from historic Taos Plaza and about 6 blocks from Kachina Lodge where most of the films are shown. Visit our web site at www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn then call for reservations toll free 800-444-2346.

Have we forgetten critical thinking? How about history?

Or is it not taught in the results empty school systems of today? Isn't critical thinking necessary by citizens everywhere, all the time? If we don't learn or know history, hasn't it been said that we are doomed to repeat it?

For example, one of the heros os the USA perhaps needs to be remembered:

A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take away everything you have. ~Thomas Jefferson

Current government activities certainly make me think, wonder, and worry. That concern applies to every level of government from small towns to the US Federal system.

Taos Ski Valley Deals

Holy Cow Batman. Taos Ski Valley wants your business. And they're offering deals to prove it.

College and Youth passes are perhaps the best deal going. College for $259. That only takes about 5 days to cover the daily pass cost. Youth passes are $335 which takes a few more to cover. Still a great deal even this late in the season! Here's their page link: http://www.skitaos.org/contents/view/season_pass.

Over 70 senior passes are an even better deal. $100. Gee, I hope they don't continue the upward age creep for those deals. I'll be there in a few years.

Over 80 is the best deal anywhere. FREE. ZIPPO. ZILCH.

Pass forms are availalbe at that site. Tell them Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza sent you! Thanks!

Combine those prices with our always affordable lodging rates and you can ski many extra days this winter. Let's face it, the worst day skiing still beats the best day working. Don't be the one who's lying dying and wyning (sp) that they wished they'd skied more days. You know you won't be wishing you'd worked more or harder.

One measure of hotel service success might well be the tips left for staff team members. Although very hard to accurately track, it seems like our team is doing a great job taking good care of you, the Guest. Tips are left frequently and in larger amounts. We continue to pay better than minimum wage and recently started an employee health and benefit program in hopes of attracting and keeping a great team of service motivated Associates.

Check us out at www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn. Then call us for rates and dates: 800-444-2346.

Monday Party at Old Blinking Light

Looks like theirs some fun to be had while you ski next week. OBL is 1 mile up the ski valley road. Here's a link to their entertainment - http://www.oldblinkinglightnews.com/main/awm/display.php?M=4587&C=de37c28e35f462ffcb868bdc4a00e2ca&S=409&L=2&N=105

Thank You Ullr

Sorry, I spelled that glorious snow god's name wrong in an earlier post. I'll punish myself by skiing only 5 out of the next 7 days.

Surprise, during winter months, you folks maintain your snow awareness. Since this storm started, the phone at the hotel has gone berserk. Well, that's not really a surprise.

As of Friday snow reports, Sipapu has 10" fresh and 24" from the storm. Taos Ski Valley measures at 7" fresh and 17" from storm. Angel Fire reports 4" and 16" from storm. Any way you measure it, it's time to get to Taos, NOW! The storm may not be finished just yet. Road conditions might be your biggest challenge. We'd be optimistic to expect the government be able and prepared to deliver visitors to their chosen activity and geographic location. My wife tells me sarcasm is the lowest form of whit. I think if the shoe fits, wear it.

We've put up a few specials for the next couple weeks. You won't believe this. We'll do our value rooms for as little as $39 a night for a single Monday thru Thursday. Standard rooms for $49 a night. Deluxe from $59 a night. As a reminder, the average daily rate in Taos last January was $90 a night. Must I remind you we are Taos' BEST Value in Lodging? Probably not.

Still 2 more weekly Learn to Ski Better at Taos for only $99 starting Sunday the 24th and again the 31st. Stay with us for a paltry $249 for the week. Use your Millenium Pass, your Taos Ski Card, or just buy a weekly ticket. Your skiing skills will elevate more than any other week you've ever spent skiing. BTW, regular price of the ski week is $234. Taos Ski Valley is making you the deal of the year. Our rooms would normally be around $400. Guess we too are in the deal making mood.

Ski you in Taos. www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn. That's the web site. Call direct to book: 800-444-2346. We very much appreciate your reading this blog. I'd love read your comments (within reason). Thanks for your business. Come up this weekend, you might run into one of the UNM Lobo Ski Team. They're practicing and honing their competition skills.

FRESH SNOW FOR TAOS, SIPAPU, ANGEL FIRE

This week, Uhllr has blessed the Taos area with a very good dump of fresh powder. Sipapu gained the most with 14" total, 3 in the last 24 hours, and a base of 37". Angel Fire has 12" total with 4" over night and a base of 34". Taos Ski Valley gained 10" total, 4" over the last 24 hours, with a base of45". All of those totals are considerably more snow than most of the I-70 corridor areas including the biggies of Vail and Beaver Creek.

Winter Wine Festival is ongoing this week. Keystone Symposia is in town. Still one more chance to join the Learn to Ski Better week January special at Taos Ski Valley.

Your favorite hotel, Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza still has rooms and invites you to visit Taos soon. Crowds are coming later in the season. We'll do weeklies (for that L:earn to Ski Better Week) for as little as $249. Think about it, that is under $36 a night. NO SKI ARE HOTEL ANYWHERE OFFERS SUCH A GREAT DEAL!!! TThat's just how we are. Check us out soon at www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn. Then call to book: 800-444-2346.

Taos Winter Wine Festival

Wow! Next week is the annual Winter Wine Festival. Another great excuse to stay a few extra days in the Taos area!

Seminars are scheduled from Wednesday, January 20, 2010 thru Sunday, January 24, 2010. All seminars include wine tasting a wide variety of regional wines from varied parts of the world. Those events are scheduled for Snakedance in Taos Ski Valley. Cost ranges from $45. More information at http://www.skitaos.org/contents/view/wine_seminars.

Dinners are also planned for the same dates. They will also be held both in the Ski Valley and in Taos. A complete list of host restaurants ins at: http://www.skitaos.org/contents/view/winemaker_dinners.

Grand Tasting I Festured Events are also on the program. They occur on Thursday, January 21, 2010 and Friday, January 22, 2010. Thursday is in town from El Monte Sagrado and Friday is from Taos Ski Valley Resort Center. Cost of these events is $75, a shuttle is included, and ID is required. Details at: http://www.skitaos.org/contents/view/grand_tastings.

Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza invites you to join Taos in this fun filled educational adventure through wine country. Perfect timing for those attending Keystone Symposia's medical research meeting January 17 - 21, 2010. Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza is cetrally located in the heart of downtown Taos for your convenience. Check out our web site at www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn then call direct to book your several night stay at Taos' Best Inn Value: 800-444-2346.

Angel Fire Ice Fishing Tourney

Eagle Nest Lake openned for ice fishing December 29, 2009. All terrain vehicles and snowmobiles will be allowed on the ice, not on shorelines, and NO full-size vehicles. All on ice vehicles must be brought to state park on trailers, off loaded on the boat ramp, and driven directly onto the ice. Ice fishing access to the lake thru the state park is $5 per day per vehicle or free thru access points outside the state park boundaries.

Fishing should be good since the fish have been relatively undisturbed since the lake froze over early December. The state asks fishers to be aware of the elements. Dress warmly, prepare for wide temp variations, wear sunscreen. Remember, ice may break, wear flotation devices!!!

The 2010 Ice Fishing Tourney is Saturday, January 16, 2010. All licensing and other details are avaialbe at the Eagel Nest Lake State Park, 575-377-1594 or www.nmparks.com.

Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza invites you to make your headquarters for all your Northern NM safaris right here in downtown Taos with us. Convenient downtown location (perfect for the other half who doesn't ice fish or ski), exceptional service (we're your Taos area tour guide), quality over night accommodations (single king bed deluse rooms have gas log fireplaces), and always affordable value rates (we're almost always more affordable than the other downtown properties). Book direct today! 800-444-2346. www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn.

TCA January 2010 Activities

Taos Center for the Arts and Taos Community Auditorium are generally synonymous. I shorten them to TCA. Sunday the 17th, TCA presents guitarist Leo Kottke at 7 PM. Tickets are going fast. Plan to add another night to your Taos visit. Visit www.tcataos.org or call 575-758-2052.

TCA recently acquired a donation of original Gorman oil on canvas triptych from about 1974. Appraised at $60,000, TCA will consider reasonable offers. That fantastic art can be yours! Visit the web site above or click here: http://www.tcataos.org/news/view/32. Imagine the programs you will create by your purchase of that Gorman piece!

Over the holidays, we had a number of Guests extend their visit by up to 4 nights. What that says is we are providing comfortable rooms, exceptional service, from Taos' best location, at Guest oriented prices (and our holiday rates were maximum). Check us out at www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn. Reserve direct at 800-444-2346. We'll generally match any valid price you find online. Just print a copy and show it at check in or email a copy and we'll work with you via email.

Taos Museums Activities

Taos museums offer a wide variety of showings and exhibits throughout the year. Here are just a couple of current activities.

"Treasures from the Vault" opens January 7, 2010 at the E. L. Blumenshein Home and Museum. They are at 222 Ledoux Street which is a block North of Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza to the Placitas light, left to Ledoux, and a half a block on the left (South). They recently moved to a new storage facility and discovered many paintings not displaayed in a long time and some never publicly shown. Details at www.taoshistoricmuseums.com or 575-758-0505.

The UNM Harwood Museum is adjacent to Blumenshein. I posted about ehri upcoming Taos Chamber Music group concert. They also host numerous arts programs and exhibits during each year. Their extensive expansion project continues with minimal disruption to dayly operations. They are at 238 Ledoux Street. For information, call 575-758-9825 X 110. www.harwoodmuseum.org.

Millicent Rogers Museum has rotating collections and special exhibits. They'll have their 7th annual folklife festival in the spring. More information at: http://www.millicentrogers.org/. 575-758-2462. I'll let you judge their current exhibit of a reinterpretation of Norman Rockwell's Four Freedoms Posters. They offer a huge breadth and scope of historical and cultural materials.

Need I remind you to make Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza your home away from home while you wander and explore Northern NM. While you "Return to spiritual places" in Taos, you'll always appreciate our location, quality, service, and value. www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn then 800-444-2346.

January Specials & Activities

Had to make a short trip to Houston for family business. Glad to go and glad to be back. Met a couple folks on the return flight who were debating what to see in Taos. On went the Chamber of Commerce hat and a sales call was made, right there in row 14. Suspect they had fun. One taker for the museums, the other for shopping.

We ended December with a great holiday season! Many Guests extending their stay by a day or two. Ended the year about even with 2008 (in today's challenging economic circumstances, that's GOOD). Thanks to each and every Guest and visitor!

Remember our multi night extended stay specials. They are available ONLY on our web site reservations system or by calling us direct. Those exceptional rates are NOT available on the big corporate booing sites (in spite of what their ads or spokes people might suggest). A single weekly can be as low as under $44!

In Taos the 16th or 17th? That's a busy weekend, so book early. If you are a serious music afficionado, the Taos Chamber Music Group's next concert is "Winter Lyricism". Robert McDonald is the pianist. Last years program sold out both nights. Visit www.taoschambermusicgroup.org for more details or to buy tickets. You will be glad you listened to this show! The program is presented at the Harwood Museum: www.harwoodmuseum.org which is just a couple blocks from the Inn.

Make Indian Hills Inn, Taos Plaza your next headquarters for visiting Northern NM and the Taos area. You'll find us just a couple blocks South of historic Taos Plaza. You can buy all your grocery, snack, and gasoline needs across the street at Smith's Grocery store. You'll appreciate our front desk teams guidance and suggestions on dining, wandering, skiing, etc. Visit our web site soon: www.newmex.com/indianhillsinn. Call direct for reservations: 800-444-2346.