Page 28 - 87099_NSAA_ JournalSpring2019_Online File2_Neat

Taos Ski Valley

Taos Ski Valley’s New Hotel, The Blake To underscore the beauty of the region, The Blake’s designers,
The Gold Standard for Sustainable Hospitality Los Griegos Studios of Santa Fe, New Mex., focused on locally curated art-
By Dave Byrd, NSAA Director of Risk & Regulatory Affairs work, with Pueblo textile designs, Navajo rugs, and art and photography
of the local Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The lobby is accented by a large
n October last year, I was fortunate to stay at Taos Ski Valley’s new fireplace and hearth, with a personal attendant welcoming guests from an
Ihotel, The Blake, while visiting New Mexico for NSAA’s regional fall over-sized sit-down desk hand-crafted by local artisan Emily Henry, beneath
education workshop hosted by the resort. Not only was I blown away by a Georgia O’Keefe painting. (It was important for the hotel to get away from
the enchanting style and curated art of the hotel, but I also was over- the trend in the lodging industry toward impersonal, self-check in kiosks.)
whelmed by the emphasis on creative approaches to environmental Adding to the hotel’s charm, The Blake experience emphasizes personal
design and responsible choices to minimize waste and energy use. hospitality with a special concierge—the “Hausmeister”—who sends helpful
A sophisticated, intimate lodging property, The Blake is what I would texts to guests after arrival to see if there is anything they need after settling
describe as “sustainable chic,” which perfectly aligns with the ski resort’s into their rooms. The $60-million facility includes 65 guest rooms and 15
overall brand of ethical and responsible environmental stewardship. family suites, and is located in the heart of the rapidly changing resort base
As part of “Taos Verde”—a comprehensive environmental ini- village, with ski-in, ski-out access to the Lift 1.
tiative impacting the entire resort and community—Taos teamed up Apart from visual splendor, The Blake’s most remarkable
with Zehren and Associates on the architectural design. The Blake was achievements stem from its dedication to sustainability. The resort
thoughtfully designed to reflect the local artistic style and art of north- embraced thoughtful, comprehensive approaches to dramatically
ern New Mexico, while also radically limiting its overall environmen- minimize the energy and waste footprint of The Blake, which is one of
tal impact. One key goal of Taos Verde is a commitment to reduce the the most environmentally friendly hotels in all of North America. Locally
resort’s overall greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. sourced materials—wood, carpets, furniture, even locally made steel
In 2017, Taos received NSAA’s prestigious top Golden Eagle Award beams—were used in order to minimize transport and fuel, and to
for Environmental Excellence for the resort’s pioneering program. ethically embrace local contractors and artisans.
The resort also participates in the NSAA Climate Challenge. In 2017, Bloomberg News named The Blake one of the best overall
The hotel is named in honor of the ski area’s founding family, German ski lodging properties in the world. In fact, it received the rare and highly
émigrés Ernie and Rhoda Blake, who started the Taos ski area in 1954. coveted LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Silver
In fact, the hotel’s upscale restaurant, called 192, is named after the tail Certification developed by the US Green Building Council, which celebrates
number on the small plane that Ernie Blake used to scout the location of buildings designed and maintained for improved environmental and
the new ski area while flying over northern New Mexico. human health performance. Taos teamed up with Brendle Group, an NSAA

26 | NSAA JOURNAL | SPRING 2019