Taos On The Cheap

A free Saturday morning arts program sounds perfect to keep youngsters creatively occupied in the snowy season!
The clay workshops are hosted by the Harwood Museum and led by artists Abby Salsbury and Alex Kurtz, on three consecutive Saturdays – January 16, 23, and 30 – from 10 a.m. till noon. Kids are required to sign up for all three workshops, to be held at the Harwood’s Fern Hogue Mitchell Education Center, and numbers are limited so nab your spot by registering in advance. Contact details and full info on the free workshops.

If you want to know what the stars hold in store for 2010, a free astrology talk by Su Maya discusses the influence of the heavens on our year ahead. (As a professional communicator, all I’m begging is “Mercury, please give us a break! Start going FORWARD already.”)

No web link for this event, but word from the celestial spheres says turn up on Saturday January 9 at 2 p.m. at FaFa’s Furniture and Fine Art, 311 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.  Contact them directly if you’re nervous of my forecasting capabilities. Although, you know, I WAS the gal who in the early ’90s predicted that the Internet wasn’t going anywhere, so why wouldn’t you trust me? Hmm?

A couple of lodging specials to please skiers at the Columbine Inn and Conference Center  in Taos Ski Valley. From January 2 – 31, 2010, stay two nights and get 50% off the third night. Stay three nights and the fourth night comes free. Both deals include breakfast, and if you’re traveling as a family, youngsters aged 14 and under stay free. The mountain lodge is 1.5 miles from the ski lifts, with a regular free ski shuttle, and it sports a hot tub, outdoor fireplace, free WiFi, and guest rooms equipped with microwave and fridge. Regular January rates start at $149 a night. The Columbine Inn only has 20 guest rooms, so don’t hang about if you like the sound of a half-price third night, or a fourth night FREE.

Arrive early for this great free show to welcome the new year – a torchlight parade down the mountain, followed by fireworks, so pretty against the snow. Starts at 6 pm on December 31st at the base of Lift One in Taos Ski Valley, but turn up in good time to get parked and nurse a hot toddy at one of the resort’s bars – the deck at the St Bernard Hotel has excellent views of the skiers’ descent and I can attest to the comforting glow of their spiked hot chocolate. The whole spectacle takes up to an hour so bundle up WARM (if you’re bring kids, think: Only the eyes visible).

The Stakeout Grill & Bar is possibly the most romantic restaurant in Taos, and I was delighted to see their new bar menu, with prices topping out at $9.95 for dishes including Oysters Rockefeller, Buffalo Lasagna, and Pumpkin Ravioi. (Buffalo burger with green chile and fries, and mini pizzas come in at a flat 9 bucks.) The bar is cozy, the welcome warm, and the food here always delicious, so with the new bar menu there’s every excuse to treat yourself to a night out even if you’re on a budget. Plus (always free) The Stakeout on Outlaw Hill has the best views of any restaurant in Taos in my opinion, across the mesa and the lights of Taos Valley. They open at 5 p.m. nightly, so on these dark winter nights it’s worth the effort to arrive early to catch a bit of sunset. South of Taos on Highway 68 and follow  The Stakeout Grill & Bar sign.

Ski Taos then soak your bones at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs with 20% off spring entry or 20% off accommodations when you show your lift ticket from Taos Ski Valley. (Actually, from any New Mexico resort, but who’d ski anywhere else?) Same deal for season pass holders. Lift ticket must have been used within a week of turning up at Ojo, so it’s straight off the slopes and into the springs.  Valid seven days a week, through April 22, 2010.  Holiday periods excluded, only one discount per lift ticket, and tax/gratuities not included. Ojo Caliente’s 20/20 Skier Special 20% discount details.

* This post updates a similar Ojo Caliente deal from last season.