ANNUAL SNOWFALL: 305 INCHES
VERT: 2,612 FEET
THE EXPERT: MICHAEL HOLMQUIST, 41, COMPETITIVE BIG-MOUNTAIN SKIER AND BARTENDER
I can see how it would alarm people, especially if you're staring up at it. They have a sign in the village that says Don't panic. That's part of the lore. I don't want to scare anyone—it's only 51 percent expert, so there's something for everyone. But Taos doesn't flatten out. It remains steep to the valley floor. The access is unbelievable. In a two-hour span you can do 12 laps [editor's note: we'd be impressed with eight] in world-class double-diamond terrain without waiting in line. You're catching your breath on the chair. HOT TIP Follow the locals. Come talk to me. The Martini Tree—that's where I bartend. It's the skier-snowboarder hangout. We'll put you where you want to be.