H
igh on a hill overlooking Taos Ski Valley there is a small, peaceful neighborhood on Snowshoe Road. Steps away from Northside, a private alpine recreation area, and almost as close to the trails of the Carson National Forest, the neighborhood sits in a glade of aspen and pine trees. The home at 31 Snowshoe Road was built with echoes of the area’s mining history. At the turn of the century, the site of the current Taos Ski Valley was the location of an active mining community. Known as Twining, after New Jersey banker Albert C. Twining, who invested in the operation, the mine operated until 1903, but never produced much ore. Charges of embezzlement, shootings, fires and more disasters combined to close the mining town for good by 1932. Nothing remains of the town today, except the stories and the architectural style that is found in some of the homes of Taos Ski Valley.
The dramatic angles...recall the look of a mining cabin, but with a decidedly modern flair
The dramatic angles of the Snowshoe Road home recall the look of a mining cabin, but with a decidedly modern flair. Each angle was thoughtfully designed to create a cohesive feel by designer Brad Reed. The outside is clad with cedar and accented with corrugated metal and red windows. A front porch welcomes visitors. The house has decks off the living room, as well as the second story master suite. Owner Robert Pepper says that he enjoys the mountain views on all sides of the house. “The views are incredible – among the best at the ski valley – with Kachina and Al’s Run visible from the decks and the sheer rock cliffs off to the north, which are just as beautiful,” he said The decks provide a perfect place to sit outside on a fall afternoon, watching the day fade to night and the sunset begin down the valley to the west. The soft sounds of the Rio Hondo can be heard below. The aspens are golden now. In the winter, the same decks offer afternoon views of skiers finishing the day at the ski valley. As the night cools, the fireplace inside beckons. The living room is a comfortable space with high ceilings and views through the tall window of the pine trees and mountains. The light-colored wood paneling, and the custom-built wood furniture in deeper tones, provide a feeling of sturdiness and invites one to settle in. Pepper is a cabinet maker and had a shop in Santa Fe. He crafted all of the interior wood work, including the doors. He says each piece is unique. Pepper made not only the exquisite mahogany countertops and doors, but also built-in dressers, tables and decorative railings and posts that add interest to the interior spaces. Some of the wood pieces are highly polished and others were left in a rougher state showing one-of-a-kind marks and measurements. Current resident Joe Cohen has known Robert Pepper for 30 years. Cohen is working in project management on the hotel and surrounding site Enchanted Homes Vol. CXI •
48 • All properties can be found at www.enchantedhomeseller.com