2011 Ski Hall of Fame

Chris Stagg was born in Syracuse, New York, but grew up in Albany, where he graduated from high school. He chose to attend the University of New Mexico because of its proximity to skiing and the promise of adventure. While at UNM, Chris worked at Olympic Sports, Albuquerque’s premier ski shop, and taught skiing on weekends at Sandia Peak under Tom Long. During this time, he connected with many of New Mexico’s passionate skiers and made lifelong friends.

After earning a BA in Architecture from UNM, Chris moved to Taos intending to teach skiing for just a year. Instead, he has spent the last 38 years with Taos Ski Valley, holding various leadership roles and actively participating in the Professional Ski Instructors of America. Currently, he is Vice President of Taos Ski Valley, Inc., and Snow Sports School Manager.

Chris began his ski marketing career attending ski shows alongside Taos founder Ernie Blake and Ski New Mexico founder Buzz Bainbridge in 1974. Over the years, he has traveled extensively across the U.S. and abroad promoting Taos and skiing, and has developed the resort’s advertising and collateral materials.

In 1996, when Taos Ski Valley incorporated as a municipality, Chris was elected mayor and served two terms. He later served as municipal judge for two years and currently serves on the Village Council.

Chris has been active in numerous statewide organizations including the Tourism Association of New Mexico, the Association of Commerce and Industry (where he served as chairman), Ski New Mexico (president for three separate terms), the New Mexico Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, and the New Mexico Municipal League. He has been a member of the New Mexico State Tourism Commission since 1993, serving as chairman until 2007, under four governors across five terms.

Chris and his wife Wendy have been married for 35 years and have two children: Erin, a Wellesley College graduate, and Keith, a graduate of Whitman College and Yale. His personal interests include flying, kayaking, golf, sailing, windsurfing, backpacking, hiking, biking, swimming, travel—and, of course, skiing.