Info from Taos's website:
Brand new to Taos Ski Valley for the summer of 2013 is an intermediate gravity fed flow trail, accessed by Chair #1. The mountain bike specific trail features over 3.4 miles of jumps, berms, rollers, and more! Starting at the top of Chair #1, this trail winds down Taos Ski Valley's fabled lower frontside, riders begin their decent along the White Feather catwalk, dropping into the Psychopath gate. From there, riders meander back and forth through the glades between Porcupine and Al's Run. The trail then offers riders a spectacular view of the mountain, as it criss-crosses across Longhorn, and switches back though Ernie's and North American, depositing riders on the Return Trail, just above Chair #1.
In addition to the lift served intermediate flow trail, a brand new beginner flow trail and cross country trail allows novice riders to learn new bike handling skills and experienced riders to better their skill. The beginner flow trail and cross country trail loop will be a 1/4 mile continuous track with multiple rollers and berms. It is suited for all types of riders. Located in and around the Pioneers beginner slope.
Tickets are $25/day, or $15/day for Millennium and Full Pass holders. Summer Season Passes will be available. Visit Taos Ski & Boot Company at the Base of Chair #1 for tickets. Beginner flow trail and cross country trail are free to the public.
Taos Ski Valley's trails are fun and perfect for progressing from cross country riding into downhill riding. The Berminator is a well-designed and built trail. The top half has flowy feel and is smooth with lots of small to medium size jumps and rolls, the bottom half of the trail is rockier and has more of a natural terrain feel to it, with more drops and rock features and fewer table top type jumps than the top half. More of a downhill trail than a flow trail because the terrain is so rocky on that side of the mountain. This trail is long enough with lots of different features to enjoy lapping it for a day. The trails at the bottom make for a good warm up or cool down for more advanced riders, and are perfect for those new to gravity riding to learn and develop skills necessary for riding the downhill trail. This is a great start to a new bike park, a few more trails and it will be a legit destination for gravity riding.
| ThankRiders can now pay for a lift ticket and take chair #1 most of the way up the front side of the mountain. Your bike travels on a chair ahead of you and the staff will have it ready for you when you arrive at the top.
The trail is a rather steep descent with a lot of rocks and loose gravel. There are no big drops or large jumps. Most of the jumps can be rolled over if preferred. The trail is mostly downhill flow with a few level sections as the trail passes between trees over to another clear section of the mountain. The biggest challenge is the switchbacks, of which there are numerous. They are high berms with a ridiculous dropoff on the back side so they can be a little intimidating. Brake early and approach high on the berms and roll through!
For a warm-up or something for the new/young riders the Pioneer lift is also open. This is usually used for the 'bunny slopes' during ski season. There are two short flow trails and an easy XC trail available from this lift. The two flow trails about a hundred yards long each but incorporate some nice smooth berms and a few double jumps. They are packed gravel and incredibly smooth. This is a good place to warm up before tackling the mountain or even as a nice area to play in between runs down the mountain.
| Thank