Dec 18
The dogs love Sipapu
Nestled at the foot of its gorgeous Carson national forest slopes is a resort that is both beautiful, but welcoming and fun, Sipapu. There are swings to relax in, real fires in the fireplace, an outdoor salon style bar that you can pretty much ski right up to, and gorgeous tree lined runs with beauty that will take your breath away. Your intro to this magical place is a big red barn marking your arrival to the mountain.
While MauiSkiBus was in the shop getting fixed we borrowed a car from Hal Burns/diesel mechanic and made our way to Sipapu. The dogs loved the hike up the mountain and a quick run down. The early season conditions were really good and the quality and depth of snow felt mid-season. Aloha Sipapu, we were happy to experience your family friendly, cozy resort.
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Dec 13
Eske (aka:Steve Eske), and Steve at the pub
Steve met Eske at the top of Taos Resort at the ski patrol building. We sure are glad he was at the right place and time to meet up with this legandary Taos character. After a few runs and a personalized tour of the mountain Eske invited MauiSkiBus to his pub. Eske’s Brew pub and Eatery is the oldest brew pub in New Mexico as Eske has been producing award winning beer for over 23 years. This is a must visit place tucked in its secret location in the heart of old Taos town, that is a favorite pub with the locals.
http://www.eskesbrewpub.com/index.php
We got the micro-brew sampler for starters and the award winning green chili beer was our favorite (how could it not be??? it is outrageous!!!). Steve got a personal tour of the brewery where the brewing magic happens. Aloha Eske’s Brew Pub and Eatery, thank you for your hospitality.
Eske brews great beer and makes amazing food.
The best brew!
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Dec 13
Owners Geof and Ellen Goings love what they do
Enchanted Forest Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe area is just minutes from Red River ski area, but you’d think you were miles away in the back country. Enchanted forest is a full service ski area so all you need to do is show up and they’ll outfit you in their finest Fischer ski’s and snowshoes. Enchanted Forest trails wind through over 500 acres of the Carson National forest and aspen groves, pine, and mountain meadows abound. Number eight ski resort was a special stop for MauiSkiBus, and the dog friendly trails were a hit with Franklin and Gykaiya. We wish we had time to spend the night in their cozy Yurt, but we have 92 more resorts to ski. It is tough to leave this wonderful place.
Thank you Geoff and Ellen Goings for an amazing day of beauty and cross country skiing. Aloha Enchanted Forest!
Happy Dogs and happy man on his Fischer x-country ski's
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Dec 12
This place just makes you smile, thanks Red River, NM.
The drive up the Red River Valley is a pleasent mountain road, easy compared to some of the harder routes we have driven. Your eyes will have many visual satisfactions with the wonderful mountain vistas that adorn this valley. Then, around the a right corner, it appears, and a sigh of delight will be emitted by all in your vehicle. What you will see is Red River mountain village, a fantasy former 1800′s mining town, set at the base of Red River New Mexico Ski Resort. The left side of the road has equal visual sights as the right side, and for couples, a romantic feeling will be set upon you.
We had contacted Laureen House prior to our arrival and her staff had a very warm greeting for us. The ski mountain is perfect for all, with the slopes at the base of the town, and the town being easy to see from the slopes. Again, the Ski Patrol staff was very gracious and Kevin Collins{Red River Ski Patrol Director} loved MauiSkiBus.com and the windsurf story. He invited us to the Ski Lift Lounge for some conversation and introduced us to Mike Patel, of the B.W. Rivers Edge Resort. Mike has great ”Mana”{energy in Hawaiian} and set us up in a great room and the resort had the best locatiion for a jacuzzi one could find. Overlooking the Red River slopes, under a full moon, right on the edge of the Red River itself.
The area of Taos/Red River would satisfy everyones needs. World rated steep skiing and hospitality at Taos and a family friendly magical mountian ski village of Red River. I sure hope to be able to return here someday before I exit this planet we call Earth. Remember that one is what we all have. One life to live at the fullest.
It is a long lift to the top and a long run down
A very good mountain to ski, with satisfying slope grades for all to enjoy.
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Dec 12
Michelle Potter Taos ski instructor and Steve enjoying Taos views
Wild West. Steep mountain slopes. Radical skiers. A lost area of the Rockies. Open hearted resort staff. Ski Patrol that loved MauiSkiBus.com. Add in Adriana Blake, grand daughter of the original owner and you have a perfect experiance at a ski mountain. And a mountain Taos is. This is not a slope for beginners, unless they want to brag that they skied Taos. The snow was good and good enough to really enjoy the back bowls and steep radical chutes that this southern mountain offers. The skiers here are as good as at any major resort that I have skied before. When the snow is really deep, one would not have to go to an extreme ski movie to see what the best skiers in the world can ski. Plus the Taos area itself has many attractions that would satisfy anyone on that “My legs need a day off” ski day. Be sure to put this area on your hitlist.
Enjoying the views in Taos
Hiking the back bowl paid off with early season deep powder!
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Dec 12
HalBurns and gang! Great people great service
The drive from Flagstaff, AZ., to Sante Fe, New Mexico on highway 40 is easy, mostly flat, with some simple scenic sights along the way. There are plenty of semi trucks on this highway and they all seemed to pass MauiSkiBus.com with respect. We drive a comfortable 60-65 mph and this seems to be the sweet spot for the 6.5 liter diesel engine. About 5 miles from Sante Fe, New Mexico, a loud “pop” sound came from under the frame of MauiSkiBus.com. We did an extensive roadside inspection and could not find any visible or audible problems. We continued on to Sante Fe and there seemed to be no more sounds.
Once we arrived in Sante Fe, we drove around a parking lot and heard some soft “pop” noises again. Upon another thorough inspection, I noticed that the right leaf spring connecting bracket was broken.
After some research on Google, I found the truck mechanic shop, Hal Burns of Sante Fe. When we again limped into the shop yard, we realized that MauiSkiBus.com was at the right place. Our unique vehicle fit in perfectly with his unique vehicles being stord in his yard. An Army offroad fuel tanker, RV’s of various sizes and shapes, U-Haul trucks, bad ass four wheel drives, semi-trucks, and a cargo van that was converted into a hippie van.
Louis, his lead mechanic was on it right away, Paul the lead shop man was super cool{loved my windsurf trip story}, David the owner ws a character, and Tina the office manager spoiled Gykaiya and Franklin. We got MauiSkiBus.com fixed that day and were off to Taos, New Mexico. Another obstacle overcome.
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Dec 12
LasVegas angel: SinCity Powder coat owner/mechanic/superman/new friend John G...helping us out.John is our new best friend.
Las Vegas happened to be on the ski resorts route, so a vist to Sin City was a must. A quarter mile from our destination at Tanner Song’s home, the carrier bearing aligning the driveshaft gave way. Tanner’s friend, John Gagnebin, happened to have a mechanic’s shop at his home. So we limped there and was able to fix the driveshaft bearing the next day. I took advantage of his knowledge and hospitality to fine tune other mechanical things on MauiSkiBus.com, due to the fact that there was a lack of snow at the resorts that we wished to visit in Arizona and New Mexico.
Carolyn did some fine tuning on John’s home in the form of cleaning and cooking. I accused John of “mechanical sabotage” on MauiSkiBus.com to keep us at his home/shop! We had a delight meeting this man and still find it amazing that we broke down only a quarter mile from his home. MauiSkiBus.com drives on.
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Dec 09
Many know this and more do not, that in 1997 I was the first person to windsurf from Los Angeles to Maui on a custom windsurfer that I designed and built. This journey was a ten year quest, took 47 days, and I did the entire trip with no support or escort boat. See more at www.ToursMaui.com
My inspiration to be really focused on this windsurf journey came from many sources. One was the song “Crazy” by Seal, another was the decathalon athletes made famous by Reebok, Dan and Dan, and another was the survivors of the concentration camps of World War II.
Imagine living in forced labor, little or no food or water, and the constant concerns for your life. Many survivors spent 4-5 years in this type of scenario. I have visited Auschitz in Poland and could only try to imagine what they had to go through.
I write this article sitting in MauiSkiBus.com, in an Albertson’s parking lot in Sante Fe, New Mexico. The setting has a few candles, some soft music, an award beer, Carolyn Flaherty cozy playing cards, the dogs outside chewing on elk hooves from Flagstaff, AZ., with a busted leaf spring on MauiSkiBus.com. So another little obstacle to overcome, nothing compared with the explanation above.
I do not desire to be too philosophical here, but obstacles come to us all, and usually they are no big deal. Just a speedbump in the road of human life. My attempt to ski 100 different ski resorts in the western USA/Canada has weather obstacles{very light snowfall} and mechanical obstacles{on MauiSkiBus.com} Minor, I have food, water, a warm place to sleep, and a whole winter to look forward to.
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Dec 08
SnowBowl rocks! They are due to open this Friday, but welcomed us to hike up none the less. So we strapped on our snowshoes, rallied the dogs, and hiked the 2000ft vertical terrain to the ski patrol hut at the top 11,000 ft altitude. Franlklin (the worlds strongest Dachshund mix) was a hit with the ski patrol as he assisted in pulling snow pads up the mountain. We just loved Snow Bowl and their welcoming attitude. We can report that Upper ridge, Meadows, and Southern Belle runs are ready for action this Friday. We just wished we had more time to hit their upper bowl. Next time. Aloha SnowBowl!
Hart Prairie Lodge Snow Bowl, AZ
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Dec 08
MauiSkiBus could envision Brian Head Utah as the perfect place for a ski/surf bum/bumette with direct flights from Maui to Vegas and only a three hour drive to powder. Brian Head celebrates vast runs in a family friendly atmosphere. General Manager Henry Hornberger and staff were very welcoming to MauiSkiBus and pulled out a 4 inch fresh powder red carpet day for us. Thanks Brian Head! Aloha!
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