Taos Ski Valley, NM - After years of drawing the ire of snowboarders everywhere, Taos Ski Valley officials have announced that snowboarding will be permitted on the New Mexico ski resort's slopes beginning March 19.

The slopes of New Mexico's Taos Ski Valley will be open to snowboarding for the first time on March 19th. (photo: FTO/Marc Guido)

“The time is right for skiers and riders to share the slopes here at Taos Ski Valley,” said Adriana Blake, founder Ernie Blake’s granddaughter and Taos Ski Valley Marketing Manager. “At the end of the day, it’s not important how our visitors get down the mountain, as long as we can all enjoy this special place.”

In an era when many skiing families travel with a snowboarder or two in tow, Taos officials found themselves turning more and more potential guests away. With the change, only three skier-only mountains remain in the U.S.: Alta and Deer Valley, both in Utah, and Vermont's Mad River Glen.

For this winter, snowboarding will only be permitted for the final two and a half weeks of Taos' ski season. The Blakes indicate that they'll spend the summer addressing any issues that may arise and continuing to prepare Taos' facilities and staff to accommodate snowboarders. During the summer of 2008, Taos Ski Valley will initiate resort renovations to improve rental facilities and the base area to accommodate both skiers and riders. Planning is also underway for a number of events and festivities to coincide with the lifting of the snowboarding ban.

“The festivities will be a show of appreciation to our loyal visitors and a warm welcome to our new guests,” said Alejandro Blake, Taos Ski Valley Events Director. “The week of exciting events will be a great way to kick off this new era at Taos Ski Valley.”