The original plan for Taos Ski Valley started with the founder, Ernie Blake’s aerial photo of the area upon which he brushed on “whiteout” to indicate where the ski runs would go. Part of the plan was to have beautiful and comfortable lodging for guests to call “home” when they visited. Real Food Traveler’s Eco-Friendly Food, Travel & Adventure Editor, Jimmy McDonough, and I visited during the summer to see what The Blake hotel offers in the warmer months. Turns out, it’s a lot!

Save this article to help you plan your visit to Taos Ski Valley and The Blake hotel. Graphic by RealFoodTraveler.com.

Summer Fun at The Blake in Taos Ski Valley in New Mexico

Winding up the canyon road, the air cooled and the pine trees grew taller along the steep slopes. When the colorful “Taos Ski Valley” sign greeted us, we had reached 9,300 feet in elevation. Above us, on all sides, forested hills soared to 10, 11, 12,000 feet and higher. An alpine environment, with a bubbling river through it, was a shocking change from the sizzling bright orange and red desert landscapes we had visited only a couple hours earlier at Ghost Ranch and Abiquiu where we toured the Georgia O’Keefe home and landscapes she captured in her paintings. At last, we arrived at our destination for a refreshing retreat from summer’s heat – The Blake.

The Blake is the heart of the Ski Taos village, and more than just a luxuriously comfortable place to stay. Named after the founder of the ski area, Ernie Blake, it is a cultural hub – equal parts art gallery and hotel! Each space hosts original works of art and items of historic significance. Within steps of your room, you may be able to touch vintage ski equipment, come face to face with an original O’Keefe drawing, or archival photographs of the native local Tiwa and other Puebloan peoples. Every surface, from the native American style rugs, to furnishings, to wall coverings, were all intentionally selected to provide a unique sense of place that evokes the soul of New Mexico.

Examples of some of the art and artifacts that guests will find throughout The Blake.

That sense of place and historic significance extends to the spacious guest rooms where the emphasis is on stylish comfort and tranquility. A soothing color palate speaks to winter snows and the cozy warmth of a mountain chalet. Wrought iron bed frames nod to the past, with luxurious downy bedding on a pillowy, semi-soft mattress. Most rooms sport a small deck and windows you can open. From our room, we enjoyed a charming view of the small river down below, the village tower, and towering peaks above. It was a delight to leave the windows open to the cool, fresh mountain air, and fall asleep to the sounds of the rushing waters of Rio Hondo.

The bathroom was a true room for bathing, spacious with a sit-down vanity, and an enormous walk-in shower encased in glass. Every detail spoke to the quality and careful attention paid to what makes you feel welcome – from the towel rods with large fluffy towels, to the pine-scented toiletries, to the surprising individual tubes of eye drops and eyeglass cleaning wipes in a container along with often-seen cotton pads and Q-tips!

Our comfortable guestroom included a huge bathroom and thoughtful amenities we’ve never seen at any other hotel.

AMENITIES AT THE BLAKE
A spacious, well-equipped fitness studio has large windows to the sundeck. That deck is tiered, with a swimming pool and two hot spas. From here you can relax and enjoy views of towering pine trees and mountains under vivid blue-skies. Or nighttime stars if you prefer an evening dip in the heated waters.

An onsite spa and wellness center offers many ways to pamper yourself.

A very nice perk, much appreciated after a week of New Mexico travels, The Blake provides guests with free, self-service laundry facilities; soap and dryer sheets included.

The workout room, pools and spa lounge area of The Blake.

DINING AT THE BLAKE
Named after the tail number of Ernie Blake’s plane, 192 at the Blake is the signature restaurant at The Blake, offering meals from breakfast to dinner, and a full-service bar (offering local beers, spirits, and wines, in addition to larger brands). The indoor dining area is sophisticated yet casual – no need to dress up here. Warmed by richly colored southwest art and décor, a wall of windows brings in light and views of the sundeck terrace and river below. A spacious outdoor terrace is available if you prefer an al fresco environment.

We enjoyed an outstanding dinner at 192 from a menu that gathers inspiration from both New Mexico and global cultures. Seeking something unique and rare, I selected the Pappardelle with Hare pasta dish. The house-made ribbons were a good foil to the rich sauce of butter, green olives, and tender bits of hare meat. The portion was generous and I wanted to eat it all and sop up every drop of the luscious sauce, but I had already enjoyed the starter of Fire-Roasted Cabbage and wanted to leave room for dessert. Courtney ordered a nightly special, the Porchetta; a large coil of richly seasoned pork filled her plate, with a crispy external layer wrapped around layers of herbs and luscious pork. For dessert, we shared a slice of apple strudel with creamy pistachio gelato. A creative, heavenly pairing!

Dinner at 192 at The Blake. Clockwise, Porchetta special the night we were there, Apple Strudel with pistachio gelato and fruit, Pappardelle with Hare bolognese and Fire-Roasted Cabbage appetizer.

Hungry for more? Read about our stay at Albuquerque’s Hotel Parq Central in New Mexico.

DINING NEAR THE BLAKE
A 10-minute drive up the mountain from The Blake is The Bavarian. At the base of a chairlift, it is a large chalet (made from an actual kit) of hewn logs and just enough trim to add a touch of Bavarian Alps. Inside is an authentic Bavarian fantasyland, blended with touches of New Mexico. So unexpected and so beautiful! Outside on the massive deck, with views of boulder-strewn mountain tops, I sipped a German beer and enjoyed a delicious lunch of crispy Weinerschnitzel sided by warm potato salad and warm red cabbage. We were surprised to learn that the schnitzel itself is sourced from Germany using authentic flour and breadcrumbs. Courtney ordered a hearty salad dotted with pomegranate seeds and served with grilled chicken sausage. Despite being full, I ordered the Black Forest Sundae, a parfait composed of chocolate cake, sauced cherries, whipped cream and vanilla ice cream. Decadent.

Scenes from The Bavarian restaurant near The Blake. The charming building is made from a kit and the food is delicious. 

ADVENTURING OPPORTUNITIES
For anyone who loves mountain adventures, The Blake offers an array of outdoor experiences. Hiking trails start right at the edge of the village and climb into the surrounding wilderness; New Mexico’s highest peaks are close by. Mellower strolls are also possible from here, and a wooden boardwalk through a nearby meadow along the Rio Honda River offers an accessible, quick immersion into nature.

Mountain bike trails can be accessed by taking the scenic chairlift up the slopes, with special carts for bikes to be hauled up. With steep trails and rugged conditions at high altitude, this activity is best for those who are fit and experienced trail riders.

A wholly new experience for me was the Via Ferrata; this is guided rock climbing over a designated course with a harness and straps to provide some protection against a catastrophic fall. My guide, Roger, is a native son of New Mexico, with many years of experience with Taos Ski Valley as a ski instructor, emergency responder, and more recently as a Via Ferrata guide. Just getting to the course was an adventure. Roger drove us in an UTV for 20 minutes up steep, zig-zag dirt trails to reach the course. Mountain vistas opened up as we climbed out of the deep valley; I could see Kachina and Wheeler Peaks, the highest point in New Mexico. To the distant north, the southernmost ranges of Colorado.

On the very first rockface, I struggled with foot placement and hand holds – and my own brain. Literally hugging the lichen-spotted boulder, I felt fear, lack of control, and uncertainty. This was going to be far more challenging than I thought, not only physically, but mentally. With Roger’s calm coaching (“Conserve your energy! Take small steps to advance a little at a time. Plan your moves.”), I finally found the right foot holds and calmed my brain enough to focus on The Moment. As we climbed up and down a series of rock faces, and across a deep ravine on a metal bridge, I became more confident and appreciative of being able to experience this beautiful place. I knew it would be challenging, but the Via Ferrata was unexpectedly rewarding.

While staying at The Blake, give the Via Ferrata, UTV and chair lift rides a try. You can also hike and mountain bike.

Of course wintertime brings fantastic skiing that Taos Ski Valley is famous for. But we loved the offerings the warmer temperatures bring.

APPRECIATING SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS
Taos Ski Valley as a whole, and The Blake specifically, take sustainability very seriously. The Blake is LEED Silver certified and uses Geo-Exchange wells and ground source heat pumps to both heat and cool the building.

The resort uses an automated snowmaking system, uses occupancy sensors for lighting in their office spaces, has energy-efficient lift upgrades and much more. Read more about it here.

EXPLORATIONS NEAR THE BLAKE
About 30 minutes down the canyon and into the valley is the Taos Pueblo, continuously inhabited for over 1,000 years by the indigenous Tiwa people. A UNESCO work Heritage site, a fee and extensive visitation requirements apply.

The city of Taos has a rich history that precedes European explorers. It became an artist colony of sorts in the late 1800’s when east coast artists were traveling to the west coast. A broken wagon wheel necessitated an unplanned stop in Taos; but the landscape soon enchanted them, and they never left. Ever since, artists have been drawn to the beauty, history, and clear sunlight of the landscape. The town is full of galleries and museums. Taos makes for an ideal day trip from The Blake for art lovers and plenty of eateries provide authentic New Mexican fare.

On the way to Taos, about 15 minutes down the canyon, is tiny Arroyo Seco, a charming village with artsy shops, a couple galleries, and a few restaurants. Sol Café and Market is an earthy, hip spot to grab a latte and a sandwich, a hearty breakfast or to pick up some fresh produce. Roger, my Via Ferrata guide also suggested Orlando’s New Mexican Cafe for dinner because it’s where the locals go. We went and found delicious, authentic New Mexican food. Thank you, Roger!

When not at Taos Ski Valley, a short drive into Toas is Orlando’s Mexican Cafe where the locals love to go. It’s delicious!

BONUS: TIPS FOR YOUR STAY AT THE BLAKE HOTEL AT Taos Ski Valley

• The Taos Ski Valley village is compact and walkable. Within a short stroll of The Blake, there are a couple of small markets, a distillery tasting room (open very limited hours), a breakfast café, a walk-up espresso bar, and a funky pub (The Daleee) for chicken fingers and empanadas and beers (open 12-7 pm).
• Valet parking is included in your hotel resort fee; take advantage to protect your car (hungry bears have been known to break into cars in the outdoor parking lot over night!).
• Take the time to stroll the property, from lobby to each floor, to view the amazing art collection and read the signs that accompany it. But also, ask staff if a tour is available because they can point out details that might go unnoticed but that are very intentional and interesting.
• Plan meals ahead – venues have limited hours and may close early, especially in off-peak seasons. If you miss your dining window, drive down the canyon to Arroyo Seco and Taos, about 25 minutes away, for options from fine dining to fast food.

To learn more about The Blake, visit their website. You can also use our affiliate link for the booking service of your choice.

-Story and photos by Jimmy McDonough, Real Food Traveler’s Eco-Friendly Food, Travel and Adventure Editor.

Coming or going, Taos Ski Valley greets visitors via the sign at the entrance.

Please note, as is common practice in this industry, this was a partially-hosted visit, however, all opinions are honest and based on the author’s opinion for the purpose of informing our readers.