HIKING & SNOWSHOEING IN TAOS SKI VALLEY,
NEW MEXICO

Taos Ski Valley is well known for its many hiking trails on forest service land and wilderness. Having an Access Permit to hike the Northside offers expanded areas to explore and a great loop system of trails with excellent signage. Trail map provided with your access permit. See the trail map here.

Northside at Taos Ski Valley is:

• 1,200 acres
• 2,800 ft. vertical gain
• 12,163 ft. highest point on Frazer Mountain
• Elevation range from 10,000 ft. to 12,163 ft.
• Approximately 18 miles of old roads and trails
• Subalpine and Alpine life zones
• Covered with Aspen, Englemann Spruce, Blue Spruce, Corkbark Fir, Douglas Fir, and Bristlecone Pine.
• Home to herds of Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountain Elk, and Mule Deer
• Home to Blue Grouse, Marmots, Ermine, Snowshoe Hare, and many other critters.
• Home to Bobcats, Black Bears, Coyotes, and Linx.
• Birds everywhere! Stellar's & Gray Jay, Woodpeckers, Mountain Chickadee, Ruby-Crowned Kinglet, and various Hummingbirds just to name a few.
• Abundant wildflowers like Blue & Red Columbine, Paintbrush, Kings Crown, Mountain Gentian, Bluebells, Larkspur, Heartleaf Arnica, Alpine Sandwort, Sky Pilot, Moss Campion, and Fairy Slipper, just to name a few.

Northside is open during the spring, summer and fall for hiking. Access permits are available at the trailhead kiosk. Click here to learn more on how and where to obtain a permit.

After the hike, relax and refuel with some great food and brews available right in Taos Ski Valley. Shop a little then take a relaxing ride up the chairlift (summer only).

Suggested Snowshoeing Loops:

• Snowshoe up Bull Of The Woods Trail from the base area parking to the Long Canyon intersection. Cross the creek to the right to access Northside. Turn left up Bull Of The Woods Road and continue up BOTW Rd. or Gold Camp Trail. This is a short loop going up to Jean's Meadow and back down either direction.

• To get in a one mile longer loop, add Sawmill Trail (up or down).

• Another fun route extension is going up Frazer Mountain Road to Bird Eye View and back.

Bull Of The Woods Road and Frazer Mountain Road will be packed by the snowmobile tours so you might find them easier to hike up. If you encounter the tour approaching, please step to the downhill side of the road in order for them to pass safely.