Smoke on the Slope:

If you’re on the hunt for a vape in New Mexico, congratulations—you’ve landed in a paradise of options. The days of relying solely on .5g carts are long gone. Now, dispensaries are brimming with everything from sleek double-barrel magnetic rigs to hefty 6g disposables. Whether you’re a die-hard purist or just need a quick weekend companion, there’s a device waiting for you.

But with so many choices, the real question is: how do you choose? On a recent snowboarding trip to Pagosa Springs, I decided to test two wildly different options—a 2g Dime AIO Distillate Vape and a .5g live rosin cartridge from Carver Family Farms. One for show, one for go.

The Carver cartridge felt like a rare treat, something almost too precious to use. Each drag was a moment, a small ceremony of relief that smoothed out life’s edges. At $5 more than the 2g Dime, it wasn’t just a cartridge; it was an experience. Because of that, it stayed safely at the Airbnb, guarded like a Fabergé egg—too precious for the slopes.

The Dime vape was tough tested for sure; it was thrown off a mountain, dropped in a hot spring, kicked like a hacky-sack, and by the end of four days, it was still chooching. Sure, it clogged once or twice, but a couple of hearty smacks had it back in business. Reliable, sturdy, and fun, it became my go-to for the entire trip.

When I needed relief—real, meaningful relief—the Carver vape was unparalleled. One hit and every knot of tension dissolved, every ache forgotten. But the Dime offered something else entirely: dependable, uncomplicated fun. Everyone who hit the Dime got exactly what they expected—a good time. But when someone tried the Carver? It was a whole other level—like switching from a local beer to a rare bottle of single malt.

I wanted to hate the Dime. I wanted to be the guy who says, “It’s live rosin or nothing.” But here’s the truth: after a weekend with these two options, I was grateful for both. The Dime was like an old Volvo—durable, steady, and always ready to go. Carver? A Porsche. Sleek, elegant, and a bit indulgent, but damn, it felt good.

Together, they turned a simple snowboarding trip into an unforgettable experience. If nothing else, New Mexico’s vape market is proof that there’s room for both the workhorse and the luxury ride in your arsenal.