Fifteen miles north of Taos, reached via an attractive road that winds up through a narrow gap in the mountains from the village of Arroyo Seco, lie the challenging slopes of Taos Ski Valley . Located on the north flank of Wheeler Peak , the highest point in New Mexico at 13,161ft, the demanding runs are usually open to skiers - snowboarding, incredibly, continues to be banned on the slopes - between late November and early April (lift tickets $45; tel 505/776-2291, resort reservations tel 1-800/992-7669, ).

Taos Ski Valley

• Taos Ski Valley

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