Two New Lifts Coming To Taos New Mexico Next Season

Michael FultonMichael Fulton

TL;DR

Taos Ski Valley, the renowned ski resort in New Mexico, has appointed John Kelly as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Kelly, previously serving as the Vice President of Operations, will now oversee significant projects and lead all resort departments. One exciting development is the installation of two new chairlifts during the upcoming offseason. Lift 4 will be replaced with a high-speed quad, improving speed and capacity in the Kachina Basin area. The Pioneer chairlift will also be replaced with a triple chairlift for beginner terrain. Taos Ski Valley has submitted proposals for other initiatives, including a base-to-base gondola and new on-mountain facilities. John Kelly's journey from lift operator to COO reflects his passion for skiing and dedication to the mountain. As COO, he will report to CEO David Norden, who will focus on strategic direction and environmental efforts. Exciting times lie ahead for Taos Ski Valley and its visitors.

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Taos Ski Valley, the renowned ski resort in New Mexico, has appointed John Kelly as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO), who will be overseeing several significant projects. As reported by Taos News, Kelly, previously serving as the Vice President of Operations at the Ski Valley, will now assume the role of COO. In his new position, he will be responsible for leading all resort departments and continuing to improve and refine the overall recreational experience at Taos Ski Valley throughout the year.Within this news, an intriguing detail emerges: the ski resort plans to install two new chairlifts during the upcoming offseason. The primary replacement will involve Lift 4, which will be replaced with a detachable high-speed quad provided by Leitner-Poma. This upgrade will result in a significant enhancement to speed and capacity in the Kachina Basin area.

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About the author

Michael Fulton

Michael Fulton

Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.

50+ resorts visited15 years skiing

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