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brad
Admin Staff
Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1838
Location: Denver, CO
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 Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 6:46 pm Post subject: Ski Rio Reopens for Cat Skiing |
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I just got word from Tom Atkins at Ski Rio today that they are reopening this winter for cat skiing. I will be making a trip down to the ski area later this winter to write an article on their new operation. The ski area will be renamed Endless Blue resort.
http://endlessblueresorts.com/index.php
Here is an article with the full details:
http://www.taosnews.com/articles/2010/01/28/sports/doc4b5f7c2c27def635403687.txt
| Quote: | Catskiing revitalizes forsaken ski area
The resort, formerly Ski Rio, is reopening after 10 years with a cat-skiing operation. Endless Blue Resort brings turns in private powder
By J.R. Logan
Sangre de Cristo Chronicle
Thursday, January 28, 2010 6:12 AM MST
AMALIA — Except for the growl of the snowcat as it climbs upward, the silence is eerie, almost unearthly.
The hulking machine powers its way through two feet of fresh snow as it crawls past untouched runs that fall off the mountain’s flank. In some places, sapling pine trees have started reclaiming some of these trails. In other spots, the slopes look much like they did a decade ago.
After a 20-minute ride, the cat rolls to a halt and sits perched atop the mountain’s 11,250-foot summit.
The view is impressive. The vast horseshoe valley that stretches to the north is etched with the expansive web of ski trails. In the distance the base of mighty Blanca Peak is visible through the dense cloudbank.
There’s 900 skiable acres, 1,500 vertical feet, and not another soul in sight.
As you click into your bindings or strap on your board, the sensation is almost overwhelming: “This is all for me?”
It’s been 10 years since Ski Rio north of Questa closed its doors to the public. Ten years since the lifts last ran at the resort and ten years since anyone has made turns on these trails.
A series of false starts, speculation and rumors, and unrealized dreams all left the resort in limbo and left locals wondering, “What ever happened?”
Now, a fledgling catskiing operation (the only one in New Mexico), a new owner and a new name (Endless Blue Resort) are breathing new life into this forgotten mountain.
Since the sale of the resort in January 2008 to a Czech buyer, crews have been taking inventory of the resort and its equipment in order to gauge what might be in store for the future.
This led to the sale of some old chairlifts last summer, which mountain manager Tom Atkins said were easier to get rid of then to bring up to code.
He said catskiing was the obvious next step.
“We wouldn’t mind generating income with such a great mountain, but since we sold our ski lifts, how else are we going to get people up there?” Atkins said.
With a custom-made box attached to the back of a snowcat, the crew at Endless Blue have transformed what was a ghost town of a ski resort into any skier or snowboarder’s private powder playground.
Snowcats start by carrying skiers along the 20-minute ride to the top of the mountain. From there, most of the runs drop about 1,000 vertical feet and are followed by a short, 8-minute ride back to the top.
But Endless Blue Resort’s concept of catskiing is unique; operating amid the infrastructure and comfort of a fully developed ski area has its advantages.
Catskiers don’t often get to create a customized itinerary from such varied terrain while in the back country. They also don’t have the luxury of swank accommodations or cozy mid-mountain restaurants.
The comfortable resort setting is also inviting for intermediate skiers who might otherwise be intimidated by a foray into the untamed back country, Atkins said.
“We have groomed beginner slopes for beginner and intermediate skiers, and we can offer instruction as well.”
In addition, the resort boasts 50 kilometers of Nordic ski trails in and around its base.
Atkins hopes these kinds of amenities will set Endless Blue Resort apart from other outfits marketing as many untouched powder runs as your legs can handle.
At the same time, Atkins says the diverse terrain at Endless Blue gives expert skiers plenty to choose from as well. And because the mountain is located on private property, skiers extend their season by weeks as long as there is snow on the ground.
Atkins said the trails were skiable until May last year.
Though catskiing is only the first step in the re-emergence of the isolated resort, Atkins says that it is where he currently has his attention focused.
The unsophisticated box can currently taxi six people at a time. But as word gets out on the exclusive opportunity to ski virgin slopes, there are already plans for how to haul more riders up the hill.
The first idea is to build a sled that would be towed behind the cat, making seats for an additional 12 skiers.
And though increased traffic means more tracks on the hillside, Atkins is confident that there is enough snow to go around.
“Even with 12 or 14 people, they’re not going to ski up this mountain,” he said.
Catskiing at Endless Blue Resort
Half day (five runs) $150
Full day (10 runs) $250
Groups must consist of at least three riders and reservations are required.
One-bedroom and three-bedroom accommodations are also available at the resort’s base area. Discounts on lodging are available to those catskiing.
For information on booking, contact Taos Ski Central at (888) 971-6881. |
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-Brad
ColoradoSkiHistory.com
Last edited by brad on Wed Mar 03, 2010 9:47 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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trooper1556
Ski Patroller
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 443
Location: Steamboat Springs, CO
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| Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:55 pm Post subject: |
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| sounds sweet! |
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b-note
Beginner
Joined: 01 Feb 2010
Posts: 5
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| Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| Good luck with your venture,nice to see life at Ski Rio. I have never skied Rio, but have visited in the summer. Cool spot in the middle of nowhere. The price seems a bit high for year one, how about a couple "special" rates during the week to help spread the word! You might want to hold a contest to "name this place" because Endless Blue sounds like a 70`s surf film. All kidding a side, I hope I get a chance to ski your hill in the near future, LUV YA BLUE. |
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scottrappold
Beginner
Joined: 22 Jan 2010
Posts: 2
Location: Colorado Springs, CO
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| Posted: Wed Feb 17, 2010 5:21 pm Post subject: |
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Here's another story (which I wrote) on the revival of Endless Blue.
I only got to ski a few runs, but damned if it wasn't the sweetest untouched powder these skis ever beheld. I do have to wonder who they will cater to, since it's not an especially steep mountain, and the steeps they do have require long run-outs on the cat tracks - not necessarily ideal for the expert skiers you would normally expect to shell out big bucks for cat skiing.
But maybe they'll find their audience. It is without a doubt a unique experience to ski there.
http://www.gazette.com/articles/amalia-94330-feeling-know.html |
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trooper1556
Ski Patroller
Joined: 20 Sep 2005
Posts: 443
Location: Steamboat Springs, CO
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 6:51 pm Post subject: |
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| anybody make it down there this season? |
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brad
Admin Staff
Joined: 24 Jul 2003
Posts: 1838
Location: Denver, CO
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| Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 10:05 pm Post subject: |
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i had some scheduling conflicts...next season for sure. if anyone on this forum is interested, we could schedule a coloradoskihistory day down at rio sometime after the new year.
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-Brad
ColoradoSkiHistory.com |
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caroth
Ski Patroller
Joined: 02 Oct 2005
Posts: 206
Location: CO
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| Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 10:56 pm Post subject: |
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| brad wrote: | | if anyone on this forum is interested, we could schedule a coloradoskihistory day down at rio sometime after the new year. |
I would be interested in that opportunity! Keep us informed. |
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