Two New Lifts Coming To Taos New Mexico Next Season
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.
Lift 4 at Taos Ski Valley, NM. Credit: Liftblog
The second chairlift set to be replaced is the Pioneer chairlift, which services the beginner terrain at the Resort Center. Taos Ski Valley has decided to replace it with a fixed-grip triple chairlift, also manufactured by Leitner-Poma.
In addition to these chairlift replacements, Taos Ski Valley has an array of planned projects on the horizon. In March, the resort submitted a proposal to the U.S. Forest Service encompassing various initiatives. These proposals include the construction of a base-to-base gondola, replacements for Lifts 2 and 8, the development of a cross-country ski and snowshoe center, the construction of new on-mountain facilities, and more. Currently, the Forest Service is in the midst of a second comment period to gather public input on these proposals.
Returning to John Kelly, his professional journey began after earning a Finance degree from the University of Tennessee. He started his career as a lift operator at Deer Valley and pursued an MBA while working at Telluride Ski Resort for ten seasons. Kelly joined Taos Ski Valley in 2015 as the Director of Operations and subsequently became the Vice President of Operations in 2021. Regarding his new position and Taos Ski Valley, Kelly expressed his excitement, stating, "Taos Ski Valley is an iconic destination, long-known as a skier’s mountain steeped in history, culture, and community. I’m thrilled to take on this leadership role. My connections with the local community, my deep respect for our staff, passholders, and guests, and most of all, my passion for skiing and this mountain will influence me every day."
As the new COO, John Kelly will report to David Norden, the CEO of Taos Ski Valley. The strategic plan entails Norden stepping back from day-to-day operational activities to focus more exclusively on providing strategic direction and overseeing high-priority initiatives such as the resort's B-Corp commitment to environmental and social efforts. Additionally, Norden will assume additional responsibilities with the resort's parent company.
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