If you’ve been standing outside lately squinting at the sky wondering, “Is it January… or April?” — you’re not losing your mind. The West is currently under the influence of a very weak La Niña, and she is showing up with all the confidence of someone who RSVP’d “yes” and then barely came to the party.
Traditionally, La Niña winters mean colder temps and more snow for parts of the Rockies and the Southwest. This year? Not so much. What we’re getting instead is a softer, drier, warmer version — the oat-milk latte of climate patterns. Light on snow, heavy on sun, and leaving ski towns everywhere politely confused.
In Taos, this shows up in some very specific ways:
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Fewer powder days
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Fewer tourists
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And a whole lot of “Wait… where is everyone?” energy downtown
Retailers feel it. Restaurants feel it. And yes — real estate definitely feels it.
The holiday season, which normally brings a steady trickle of second-home buyers and starry-eyed visitors thinking, “We should just buy something here,” was unusually quiet. When there’s no snow on the ground, people don’t linger as long — and they don’t always fall in love as fast.
That said (and this is the important part), quiet does not mean broken.
What we’re seeing right now is a pause. Buyers and sellers alike are standing in a polite standoff, waiting to see what the weather — and the market — will do next. Inventory is still compelling. Well-priced homes are still well-priced. And when snow does return (because it always does), momentum tends to follow.
In fact, some of the best opportunities happen in moments like this — when competition is low, distractions are minimal, and decisions can be made thoughtfully instead of emotionally. No frenzy. No bidding wars fueled by a fresh six inches of powder. Just clear eyes and good timing.
So yes, this is a strange winter. A little warm. A little dry. A little quieter than we’re used to. But Taos has seen every version of weather imaginable, and the long view always wins.
Snow will come. Buyers will return. And the mountains will remind us who’s actually in charge.
Until then, we keep watching the skies — and the market — very closely.
