How is the drive from Austin to Colorado Springs or Santa Fe

[l0ll1]

Yea, Taos had enough snow and some more might fall tomorrow and day after. Thank you all for your suggestions. Very much appreciated.

[l0ll1]

Thanks to all of you for suggestions and comments. Really appreciated. We had a great trip to Taos Ski Valley. We did lot of skiing on beginner hill (we took lessons), snow tubing on US Hill (few miles off of Taos), and snowmobile tour.

Whole going we stopped over in Lubbock, and then to Taos via 84N and 518 (a beautiful drive! - do not recommend after sunset because of ice). Drive was very good - many small towns in between, but we loved it. Taos to Santa Fe drive was also awesome with snow covered mountains. Then we drove to ABQ to White Sands to Carlsbad (via Cloudcroft a yet another beautiful drive) to Austin...8 days trip!

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by l0ll1

Thanks to all of you for suggestions and comments. Really appreciated. We had a great trip to Taos Ski Valley. We did lot of skiing on beginner hill (we took lessons), snow tubing on US Hill (few miles off of Taos), and snowmobile tour.

Whole going we stopped over in Lubbock, and then to Taos via 84N and 518 (a beautiful drive! - do not recommend after sunset because of ice). Drive was very good - many small towns in between, but we loved it. Taos to Santa Fe drive was also awesome with snow covered mountains. Then we drove to ABQ to White Sands to Carlsbad (via Cloudcroft a yet another beautiful drive) to Austin...8 days trip!

I knew you'd love it!

[Willsson]

l0ll1,yeah, it's good to hear to you had a good trip and visited the quietly attractive places along the way... Carlsbad, Cloudcroft.

Make a plan for some year soon to go full tilt and hit the slopes in Summit County, Colorado. Summit County is home to the best skiing in the U.S. east of Utah. You might find some group, or special air fare for the trip. There's dozens of places to stay and a whole new world of mountain adventure. Not to shortchange your recent trip, in Summit County you can find skiing far more adventurous to your more recent experience, in a good season.

Just don't tell them you're from Texas.

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by tofurkey

l0ll1,yeah, it's good to hear to you had a good trip and visited the quietly attractive places along the way... Carlsbad, Cloudcroft.

Make a plan for some year soon to go full tilt and hit the slopes in Summit County, Colorado. Summit County is home to the best skiing in the U.S. east of Utah. You might find some group, or special air fare for the trip. There's dozens of places to stay and a whole new world of mountain adventure. Not to shortchange your recent trip, in Summit County you can find skiing far more adventurous to your more recent experience, in a good season.

Just don't tell them you're from Texas.

Woahhh....no better skiing than Taos Ski Valley! The "ski scene" is better in Breckenridge/Keystone, but the skiing in TSV is infinitely more challenging!

[curious1111]

Have been skiing to many places in Colorado, never skiing in Taos, but have been there several times. We decided to do something different and went skiing in Northern Idaho near the Canadian border. HIGHLY recommend. Huge snow, great terrain, very friendly. As an added bonus, the further north you go, the lower the elevations. Still have the same vertical rise, if not better...but no altitude adjustment or sickness. That was a welcomed added bonus vs. the couple days+ to adjust at the Colorado resorts, where they base at 10k+ feel. Just a plug if anyone is considering a spring break ski vacation. We loved it. Flew on SWA into Spokane, then 1.5 hour drive to Schweitzer Mountain....

[mimimomx3]

Originally Posted by curious1111

Have been skiing to many places in Colorado, never skiing in Taos, but have been there several times. We decided to do something different and went skiing in Northern Idaho near the Canadian border. HIGHLY recommend. Huge snow, great terrain, very friendly. As an added bonus, the further north you go, the lower the elevations. Still have the same vertical rise, if not better...but no altitude adjustment or sickness. That was a welcomed added bonus vs. the couple days+ to adjust at the Colorado resorts, where they base at 10k+ feel. Just a plug if anyone is considering a spring break ski vacation. We loved it. Flew on SWA into Spokane, then 1.5 hour drive to Schweitzer Mountain....

Thanks for the idea!

[leo1988]

We regularly drive between Austin and Santa Fe. We like to take I-10 to Van Horn and spend the night at the historic El Capitan hotel. Built in 1930, tiny but nice rooms, with charming lobby and courtyard and good restaurant. The next morning, drive an hour north and take a hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park (highest point in TX). from there, it's an easy, traffic-free 5 hour drive on 285 into Santa Fe.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by leo1988

We regularly drive between Austin and Santa Fe. We like to take I-10 to Van Horn and spend the night at the historic El Capitan hotel. Built in 1930, tiny but nice rooms, with charming lobby and courtyard and good restaurant. The next morning, drive an hour north and take a hike in Guadalupe Mountains National Park (highest point in TX). from there, it's an easy, traffic-free 5 hour drive on 285 into Santa Fe.

That is a nice historic hotel in Van Horn. It has a lot of character. We stayed there last year when we drove to Arizona. However, taking that route to get to Santa Fe adds 2.5 hours to the trip. I'd never do that just to stay at the El Capitan.