Taos On The Cheap

Save 30% on B&B lodging through March 31 at one of my favorite places. I recall that Ms. Georgia O’Keeffe was pretty fond of it too…

Take a break amongst the gorgeous red rocks at Ghost Ranch Abiquiu, or at the Ghost Ranch property in smart Santa Fe (just three blocks from the plaza) and get 30% off your bed and breakfast stay through February and March 2010.

Just quote the promotion code GETAWAY2010 when you make reservations – the discount is valid for visits through March 31. Here’s the scoop and numbers to call for the Ghost Ranch 30% off B&B deal. Room rates vary according to the accommodations you choose, but with the 30% discount you’re paying bare bone prices (sorry!) so give yourself a tripette and come back with photos to make us all jealous.

Info on lodging at Ghost Ranch Abiquiu
Info on lodging at Ghost Ranch Santa Fe

Get your kilt on and your haggis heated up for Burns’ Night, then reel on over to the Michael McCormick Gallery to celebrate the 251st birthday of the Scottish poet Robert (Rabbie) Burns. The Burns’ Night party is this Saturday January 23, from 4 to 7 pm, with bag pipes, poetry, dancing, and other entertainment in tribute to the Bard. The nostalgia is free. Bring what you can to the potluck.

Michael McCormick Gallery is by Taos Plaza at 106c Paseo del Pueblo Norte (next to Graham’s Grill).

Ok, so we don’t have a discount for this, but I reckon night skiing at Angel Fire is a steal at 24 bucks (or $12 to upgrade a day lift ticket). Ski or snowbord 50 acres of the mountain’s easier trails from Thursday through Saturday, between 4 and 9 pm. You’re not sliding around in the dark – the mountain is lit up, including terrain park jumps, rails, and boxes – and in between the white stuff you can get your groove on at The Village Haus with live music, food, and bar.

If you already have a day lift ticket, add night skiing for an extra $12 – which may be of interest to anyone taking advantage of Angel Fire’s Lodging and Ski Package we featured in our earlier post.

After dark skiing is also available every day during the two weeks of Spring Break, March 4 – 20, 2010.
Angel Fire Resort is about 24 miles east of Taos Plaza, via US 64.

Nice little packages at Angel Fire Resort through February 11 offer an all-in rate for room, breakfast, and lift ticket starting at $59. 
Angel Fire’s Winter White sale includes accommodation in The Lodge at Angel Fire Resort, breakfast buffet in the Lodge’s Chianti’s restaurant, and ski lift ticket, for the special rate of:

- $59 per person per night for quad occupancy
- $69 per person per night for triple occupancy
- $89 per person per night for double occupancy

An adult full day lift ticket alone usually costs $59, so you do the math. The more piste-pals you can grab to take with you – the cheaper the deal!

Offer price doesn’t include taxes, and you must stay for a minimum of two nights. Blackout dates on this offer are January 22-23 and January 29-30, otherwise the Angel Fire Resort ski package is good through February 11, 2010, for reservations made at least 72 hours in advance.

The renovated Lodge at Angel Fire is right by the chairlifts, and the resort is about 24 miles east of Taos Plaza, via US 64.

Delighted to see a bunch of free lodging deals at Sipapu Ski Resort, about 20 miles south of Taos.  Free accommodation is at your choice of Sipapu, Taos, or Las Vegas, NM, or at the Sipapu RV Park and Campsite.  What’s the catch? Not much of a catch if you’re already planning to ski Sipapu, or feel inspired to turn your ski day into a mini-break – just buy a $39 adult lift ticket, and sleep over the night before OR on the day you ski Sipapu. Find all the scoop on each freebie in the individual links. Ready for ‘em? Here we go…

Stay FREE at Sipapu’s own motel, a mere 650 feet from the ski lifts.   2010 valid dates: January 18-31, February 1-4, 7-11, 15-18, 21-28, March 1-5, and March 21-closing date (approx April 11, depending on snow). Here’s the link for full details of free Sipapu lodging.

Free lodging in two Taos hotels:  The Sagebrush Inn and El Pueblo Lodge. El Pueblo Lodge valid every day; Sagebrush Inn only valid Sunday through Thursday nights, with blackout dates from March 5-27.  Link to full details on the free Taos lodging.

Free lodging at the Super 8 in Las Vegas, New Mexico, valid every day through the current season. Link to full details of free Las Vegas lodging.

If you’re more the rugged outdoors type, rest your head for free in the Sipapu RV park and camp site . Valid every day through the season – all the info here on Sipapu’s free RV park and camping.

Thanks to Kenny for sending this tip!

Posting this pronto, as Taco Bell has one million free tacos to give away across the country, and once they’re gone, they’re gone, so use your coupon fast!

Here’s the Taco Bell coupon for a free Fresco Taco, good for one free taco per person. It’s valid for seven days after you’ve downloaded it, OR until the million free tacos are snapped up. Once the million coupons are redeemed in the restaurants, a note to that effect will be at the Taco Bell coupon page. At time of posting, the coupon is still available but having a coupon doesn’t guarantee your taco, so once you print it out, don’t tarry to use it in case everyone snarfs up the freebie tacos first – claim your taco today!

Offer is only available from participating locations, and when I called the nice manager at the Taos location she said she would honor the coupon.  Taco Bell is at 117 Paseo Del Canon, Taos.

Fancy a free guided mountain hike at this month’s full moon, followed by hot cocoa round the camp fire?

Then head down to Sipapu Ski Resort on Friday January 29 for a free moonlight hiking tour, stories, and campfire. They say the hiking trail is beginner level, up to the middle of the mountain, so be sure to wrap up toasty. The full moon guided hike starts at 6:30 pm, and the event finishes at 8:00 pm, although if you want to stay over and ski, you might take advantage of the info in our earlier post detailing  free lodging deals at Sipapu. The resort is about 20 miles south of Taos.

Can’t quite summon up the funds for a full-on spa vacation? We’ve found a Taos deal that might help bridge the gap, with reasonably priced accommodations offering a 10% discount on spa and massage treatments, from facials and body polishes to hot rock massages.

Vacationers at the two Sage Waters of Taos studio accommodations enjoy 10% off spa treatments, which are already budget-friendly at (for example) $65 for an hour’s massage or $45 for a facial – aromatherapy included FREE if you choose.  Both residential Taos studios sleep two people and have kitchens; one has a whirlpool tub.  Regular lodging rates are $80 a night, $475 per week, or $950 if you want to splurge on a month in glorious Taos. Note for solo travelers – a lower single person rate available in the Sunflower Suite starts at $65 a night. What are you waiting for? Body Beautiful, here we come…..

A free Saturday morning arts program sounds perfect to keep youngsters creatively occupied in the snowy season!
The clay workshops are hosted by the Harwood Museum and led by artists Abby Salsbury and Alex Kurtz, on three consecutive Saturdays – January 16, 23, and 30 – from 10 a.m. till noon. Kids are required to sign up for all three workshops, to be held at the Harwood’s Fern Hogue Mitchell Education Center, and numbers are limited so nab your spot by registering in advance. Contact details and full info on the free workshops.

If you want to know what the stars hold in store for 2010, a free astrology talk by Su Maya discusses the influence of the heavens on our year ahead. (As a professional communicator, all I’m begging is “Mercury, please give us a break! Start going FORWARD already.”)

No web link for this event, but word from the celestial spheres says turn up on Saturday January 9 at 2 p.m. at FaFa’s Furniture and Fine Art, 311 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.  Contact them directly if you’re nervous of my forecasting capabilities. Although, you know, I WAS the gal who in the early ’90s predicted that the Internet wasn’t going anywhere, so why wouldn’t you trust me? Hmm?

A couple of lodging specials to please skiers at the Columbine Inn and Conference Center  in Taos Ski Valley. From January 2 – 31, 2010, stay two nights and get 50% off the third night. Stay three nights and the fourth night comes free. Both deals include breakfast, and if you’re traveling as a family, youngsters aged 14 and under stay free. The mountain lodge is 1.5 miles from the ski lifts, with a regular free ski shuttle, and it sports a hot tub, outdoor fireplace, free WiFi, and guest rooms equipped with microwave and fridge. Regular January rates start at $149 a night. The Columbine Inn only has 20 guest rooms, so don’t hang about if you like the sound of a half-price third night, or a fourth night FREE.

Arrive early for this great free show to welcome the new year – a torchlight parade down the mountain, followed by fireworks, so pretty against the snow. Starts at 6 pm on December 31st at the base of Lift One in Taos Ski Valley, but turn up in good time to get parked and nurse a hot toddy at one of the resort’s bars – the deck at the St Bernard Hotel has excellent views of the skiers’ descent and I can attest to the comforting glow of their spiked hot chocolate. The whole spectacle takes up to an hour so bundle up WARM (if you’re bring kids, think: Only the eyes visible).

The Stakeout Grill & Bar is possibly the most romantic restaurant in Taos, and I was delighted to see their new bar menu, with prices topping out at $9.95 for dishes including Oysters Rockefeller, Buffalo Lasagna, and Pumpkin Ravioi. (Buffalo burger with green chile and fries, and mini pizzas come in at a flat 9 bucks.) The bar is cozy, the welcome warm, and the food here always delicious, so with the new bar menu there’s every excuse to treat yourself to a night out even if you’re on a budget. Plus (always free) The Stakeout on Outlaw Hill has the best views of any restaurant in Taos in my opinion, across the mesa and the lights of Taos Valley. They open at 5 p.m. nightly, so on these dark winter nights it’s worth the effort to arrive early to catch a bit of sunset. South of Taos on Highway 68 and follow  The Stakeout Grill & Bar sign.

Ski Taos then soak your bones at Ojo Caliente Mineral Springs with 20% off spring entry or 20% off accommodations when you show your lift ticket from Taos Ski Valley. (Actually, from any New Mexico resort, but who’d ski anywhere else?) Same deal for season pass holders. Lift ticket must have been used within a week of turning up at Ojo, so it’s straight off the slopes and into the springs.  Valid seven days a week, now through April 22, 2010.  Holiday periods excluded, only one discount per lift ticket, and tax/gratuities not included. Ojo Caliente’s 20/20 Skier Special 20% discount details.

* This post updates a similar Ojo Caliente deal from last season.

Save $150 on the Wintertime Romance and ski package at Hotel La Fonda de Taos between November 26 and December 18, 2009. The package includes two nights for two in a Hotel La Fonda Deluxe Plaza King room, four full day passes to ski at Taos Ski Valley (that’s two days of skiing each for you and your honey), a $100 gift card to dine at Joseph’s Table Restaurant located in the La Fonda, plus flowers, champagne, and choccies on arrival, a one-hour massage for each of you, and a private tour of D.H. Lawrence’s ‘Forbidden Art’ collection.
Regular package price through April 4, 2010 is $849 plus taxes. BUT there’s a $150 early season discount, between Nov 26 and Dec 18, bringing it down to (counting on all my fingers and thumbs) $699, making it a sweet deal for sweethearts. (Hey, even couples who don’t like each other that much will find plenty in the package to keep them busy )
Check out the full Romance & Ski package details and conditions at the Hotel La Fonda de Taos which is right on Taos Plaza.

The Early Bird Special menu at Los Amigos in the Quality Inn offers bargain eats from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. 
Entree specials include all the fixings (mash potatoes, gravy, veggie, bread) plus soup, a salad bar, and a glass of wine, which make the $7.95 price tag extra tasty for Roast Beef, Chicken Breast, Pork Chop, Salisbury Steak, and Mexican Steak plates.  This is just to whet your appetite, there are other dishes on the Early Bird menu. Find the Quality Inn at 1043 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur, a little north of the Paseo del Cañon/Visitor Center Intersection.

A nice little $100 fall getaway package for two at the Quality Inn in Taos buys you a one night stay including cooked breakfast for two, a $28 gift certificate for the Inn’s Los Amigos restaurant,  a bottle of New Mexico wine in your room to share with your sweetie, and all taxes are included. Valid till December 17, 2009, with some blackout dates. 
The Quality Inn Thanksgiving Weekend Package at $290 includes room and breakfast for three nights, a Thanksgiving Day lunch or dinner buffet for two, and all taxes. I like the all taxes included idea – wish other hotels would follow suit so visitors know exactly what to expect without any surprises on the bill.
When they say “Must cancel 3-days prior to arrival” we assume that’s the cancellation policy – not an instruction

Updating this ongoing deal: Daily Happy Hour 4-6 pm -  half-price beer, wines $3, burgers $1.25 and fries for $1. Natural Harris Ranch beef, no trans fats, and eco-friendly packaging for their drive-through service. Nice people too. One cold winter night my car broke down as I was passing, so I pulled in and they couldn’t have been more helpful. (Even though I leaked oil all over their parking lot, and I hadn’t even been a customer then.) Happy Hour at Five Star Burgers looks ongoing for now. 1032 Paseo del Pueblo Sur, Taos.

A free talk for foodies on the evening of Thursday Nov 12 explores Taos Traditional Foods – Chile vs. Chili with a guest panel of restaurateurs: Joseph Wrede (acclaimed head honcho at Joseph’s Table, Lambert’s and the OBL), Ben Sandoval (Tiwa Kitchen), and Adam Medina (Ranchos Plaza Grille).  Moderator is Taos News columnist, UNM Prof, and general expert on all things Taos – Larry Torres.  The hot stuff talk and Q&A starts at 7 p.m, with free entry, and refreshments will be served. (Mmm, can’t guarantee what refreshments you’ll get, but the last one of these talks I went to, the nibbles were great – kudos on the chocolate truffles!)
Sponsored by UNM-Taos and SMU, and held in the dining room of the historic SMU Fort Burgwin campus on NM Highway 518. (Turn east on 518 at the Ranchos Trading Post junction south of town. Fort Burgwin is approximately 8 miles on the right, after Mile Marker 67.) Further directions to SMU.

One of my favorite good value places to stay in Taos, within walking distance of the Plaza, the Indian Hills Inn offers an even better deal for veterans now through Nov 25. Vets receive 50% off the regular current rate of $69 – so that’s $34.50 for one person staying – plus $5 for each additional guest.
Over Veterans Day itself, Nov 11, the Indian Hills has an even better buy-one-get-one free deal, with a two night stay at 50% off the first night, and the second night FREE! That’s a two consecutive nights package totaling $34.50 for a single person, plus additional guest fee as above, valid for Nov 10 and 11, or Nov 11 and 12.  Rates include continental breakfast and WiFi access. Here are the 50% off and BOGO details.
Reminder: These Indian Hills Inn specials are for vets only, and the offer is valid from now through and including Nov 25, 2009. Direct reservations only – contact the Inn. Taxes are additional. No other discount applies…. but at this bargain rate, who’d expect it?

The month-long Taos Big Read book party kicks off this weekend in celebration of New Mexico author Rudolfo Anaya’s jewel of a novel: Bless Me, Ultima. At the launch on Saturday Nov 7 at Taos Public Library, you can pick up a free copy of Bless Me, Ultima in either English and Spanish, and enjoy music by Dos Amigos plus local nibbles. Drop by between 12 noon and 2:30 p.m.  Here’s the info on all the Taos Big Read events.
On the evening of  Nov 7, critically acclaimed Dixon poet Levi Romero gives the keynote presentation, sharing his work, the influence of Rudolfo Anaya on his poetry, Romero’s life growing up in New Mexico, and the value of local stories. I’ve interviewed Romero for radio, and he is a cracking speaker and poet, with a voice that could move a mountain… possibly even Taos Mountain. Taos High School Poets will also share their youthful perspective. This free evening is at Taos Center for the Arts from 7:00 to 8:45 p.m.

Happy Birthday to Cid’s Food Market, where Taos Society mingles over the organic zukes and hot-off-the-spit roast chickens. (I’m generally in a bliss coma sniffing stuff in the soaps and potions aisle.) If it’s usually hard to get out of Cid’s in 20 minutes because you bump into everyone you know there – plus quite a few people you’d LIKE to know – this weekend will be even more of a party atmosphere, as Cid’s Food Market celebrates its 23rd anniversary on Friday 6 and Saturday 7 Nov. Expect food tastings, BBQ, a live DJ, raffle drawings every hour, and give-aways. Follow the throng at 623 Paseo del Pueblo Norte.

Forgive me Taosphiles, I’ve been sadly neglecting darling Taos while writing a guidebook to our Big Sister city just down the Rio Grande…  the Insiders’ Guide to Albuquerque (Globe Pequot Press) due in bookstores early in 2010, or available for preorder now.  I’m finally back in the saddle and all spurred up to hunt out Taos discounts, deals, and freebies, including fun events that won’t break the bank. Please get in touch if you have leads on business specials or other value-packed Taos suggestions, or just to let me know what you’d like to see covered here.

The opening reception for the ‘Paintings from the Sixties’ exhibition, featuring the work of Charles Strong, a member of the San Francisco School of Abstract Expressionists, takes place Friday Nov 6 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Taos Community Auditorium’s Encore Gallery. If you miss the Charles Strong reception, the show runs through Dec 15. The TCA is just north of the Taos Inn on Paseo del Pueblo Norte.

Four artists participate in a new multimedia show at the lovely RANE Gallery: poet Veronica Golos, sculptor Deborah Rael-Buckley, painter Nancy Delpero, and photographer Robbie Steinbach. The opening reception for My Land Is Me: A Collaborative Multimedia Installation is on Saturday Nov 7, from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., with refreshments served. A conversation with the artists follows a week later on Sunday Nov 15, at 2:00 p.m. Both events are at the RANE Gallery, 214 Ledoux Street, and the show runs through to Nov 29.

Here are two free opportunities for families to get tied up with string and applique themselves together…  As part of the Taos Summer of Love, The Harwood Museum is hosting:

Aug 15 – Saturday Arts Macrame
Aug 22 – Saturday Arts Applique

Times for both are 10 to 11:30 a.m. and all ages are welcome.