Taos Ski Valley
Ski. Taos Ski Valley (http://www.skitaos.org/) is a major downhill ski locale, usually with the best snow in New Mexico if not the entire Southwest. The slopes usually open on Thanksgiving weekend and close in early April, although early season snow can be sparse and spring conditions slushy. This is a challenging hill, and beginners may feel more comfortable on one of the nearby areas listed under "Get out," but the expert skier can have a fantastic time here. One caution: there is Nordic cross-country skiing up-valley from the downhill area, but the valley is prone to avalanches, and Nordic skiers have died there. If the locals warn you against skiing downhill or Nordic outside the safe areas due to avalanche hazard, take them seriously.
Wheeler Peak
There are a number of fine hikes in the mountains after the skiing ends and the snow melts, with trailheads at Taos Ski Valley and elsewhere. Wheeler Peak, the highest summit in New Mexico at 13,161', is on the ridge opposite the main ski runs and is a popular hiking destination. Do not underestimate this mountain. In addition to the avalanche hazard during the winter, bad weather can strike at any time of the year and turn what is normally a hands-in-the-pockets walk into a life-threatening, and sometimes -ending, experience.
The "Taos Hum"
Taos is a well-known center for "spiritual" activities of various kinds, some of them relating to the curious and possibly mythical phenomenon of the Taos Hum. Many visitors claim to be able to hear a persistent, low rumbling or buzzing sound not attributable to the traffic of town or other obvious sources. Possible explanations have been posed ranging from the pedestrian static discharges in the mountains, power lines that are heard but not seen to the outlandish secret government facilities nearby, some manner of UFO nexus. Sober-sided skeptics insist that there isn't really a Hum at all and that its perception results from visitors from noisier lands being unused to the general solitude and silence of the rural area. If you want to try to hear the Hum, get out of the downtown area, which is too congested to hear a "hum" of anything but traffic, and spend some time in the forest, particularly early in the morning or at night if you're equipped for it.
Ski lessons are available at Taos Ski Valley.
Taos School of Music
The Taos School of Music (http://www.taosschoolofmu...) is a well-regarded summer program for the aspiring age 18 and up professional musician. The focus is on chamber music, with a very favorable student/faculty ratio and performance opportunities. A concert series involving significant chamber ensembles is part of the program. Admission into the program is highly competitive.
Taos Box
The Taos Box offers superb river running on the Rio Grande during the spring and summer. Several outfitters and guide companies operate out of Taos, and there are others based in small towns between Taos and Española. Some with acceptable credentials are: Cottam's Rio Grande River Trips, +1 800 322-8267, Far Flung Adventures, +1 800 359-2627, -- also runs trips on the Rio Chama and Colorado's Arkansas River Los Rios River Runners, +1 800 544-1181 Native Sons Adventures, +1 800 753-7559,
Far Flung Adventures
+1 800 359-2627, (http://www.farflung.com/) -- also runs trips on the rio chama and colorado's arkansas river
Los Rios River Runners
+1 800 544-1181
Enchanted Circle Self Guided Drive Tour
Many visitors to Taos drive the Enchanted Circle. From Taos, drive North on NM 522 to Questa. Then East to Red River, Eagle Nest, and Angel Fire. Then West on US 64 back to Taos. That is the short version. The most visited site on that tour is the Viet Nam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire. An exceptional side trip out of Questa is the Wild and Scenic Rivers area of the Rio Grande Gorge for sightseeing and hiking both. The Enchanted Circle is anywhere from a 2.5 hour straight drive to an all day trip with lots of stops.