Each January, Ski New Mexico invites all our mountain ski area members and media outlets to join us for a day of skiing, friendly competition, and camaraderie. On this past Saturday, we entertained our guests at Ski Santa Fe, under beautiful bluebird skies (and with a recent 10 inches of powder snow, to boot!)
Kicking things off in La Casa Lodge, media groups both rowdy and reserved gathered for breakfast, and to be paired up with ambassadors from our ski and tourism industry. Our morning was spent exploring Santa Fe’s diverse terrain offerings, from the mellow groomers of the lower mountain’s Super Chief Quad, on up to the glades and steeps from the summit. I was happy to have the same story recounted to me throughout the day: the media simply loves media ski day.
KRQE’s Larry Barker was quick to join the conversation, echoing the sentiment that seemed universal throughout the day: “we look forward to this all year; it really gets us pumped for ski season.”
I shared the Millennium Triple Chair with a number of representatives from KOAT, from sales managers to technical advisors. Readily recognizable by their yellow jackets, the KOAT staff were well-represented (and easily spotted on the mountain throughout the day).
The message was clear throughout the day: skiing in New Mexico is special. While locals know that we’re far from the dusty desert which many associate with our landscape, it is among the media’s many movements to promote that we also have mountains, and moreover – our mountains have some of the finest snow in the world.
Tourism Santa Fe director Cynthia Delgado perhaps said it best, “visiting New Mexico? We’ve got you covered.”
Gathering at Totemoff’s at mid-mountain, Ski Santa Fe improvised an obstacle course for teams of 4 from each news organization. In the end, it was KOAT who unseated KRQE, and took home this year’s trophy. KOB, with a particularly spirited showing, took 3rd place.
Representatives from the New Mexico Department of Tourism (NM True beanies and banners abound) shared their love for the event as well, before introducing our own Governor Susanna Martinez. The Governor sang the ski industry’s praises as a half-billion dollar per year juggernaut for the state, having taken some turns of her own down the mountain earlier in the day.
Super thanks to the staff at Ski Santa Fe (particularly Scott Hussion for setting the fun race, and of course to Ben and Benny Abruzzo for their never ending hospitality), as well as Mother Nature herself for delivering fresh snow and sunny skies.
Finally, big props to our Executive Director, George Brooks, for orchestrating this annual event. A member of the New Mexico Ski Hall of Fame, George is a recognizable and vocal advocate for skiing in our state, and as a new writer for the team – I was introduced to quite literally everyone in the room. Thanks very much, George!
