You Can Earn A Free Ski Pass for Boot-Packing at Taos Ski Valley

Originally posted on Powder | By Izzy Lidsky | Last updated Oct 3, 2025 1:43 PM ET

Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico is allowing folks to tap in for a bit of early season labor, and earn a pass from it.

Some ski resorts, like Aspen Highlands, Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, and others, do something called 'packing' early season, which is basically having lines of people boot pack across ski slopes.

Packing has several purposes such as compacting thin, early season snow to preserve a base for later snowfall, helping to mitigate avalanches in steeper terrain, and allowing ski patrollers to open steep terrain earlier in the season.

For participants, it's a great early season workout and can help them earn a free ski pass in some cases.

Taos Ski Valley has opened up their "Packing Program" to 30 folks for this winter. To qualify for an unlimited season pass, volunteers must spend 10 full days of packing. 7 full days earns a season pass with blackout dates.

Check out Taos' video below of what the Packing Program on Kachina Peak looks like. Seems kind of fun? Tap or click to play.

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Packing days aren't an 'easy' pass hack, however. The days start at 8 a.m. and go until 4 p.m. Packers do as many laps as possible before a lunch break and then as many more laps as they can before the mountain closes at 4 p.m. It might be hard work, but its also a fantastic way to meet other skiers, and nothing gets you ready for boot packing a big line like more boot packing.

Taos terrain like Kachina Peak, Highline Ridge, Lower Front Steeps, Upper Front Steeps and more will all be packed as part of the program.

Packers are required to have an avalanche beacon broadcasting at 457kHz, durable skis, and proper winter layers and equipment. Unfortunately, snowboarders need not apply -packers must be able to step up and down the terrain, and skis offer a longer surface which allows for more efficient packing.

Hopefuls can apply via the Ski Taos website.

This article first appeared on Powder and was syndicated with permission.

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