THE DESTINATION
OVERVIEW
I hate advertising it too much because I don't want too many people to know, but Telluride is hands down my favorite ski resort. The resort is known for its expert terrain and heli-skiing, but don't think you won't enjoy it here as a beginner or intermediate. The mountain offers the full spectrum of terrain. While the skiing here is epic, I think the town really pushes this resort to the top of my list. The two base areas - Telluride and Mountain Village - work in concert to offer what I might argue is the ideal ski town. Telluride itself transports you back in time to when this town was filled with gold seekers - Butch Cassidy actually robbed his first bank here. The streets are full of quaint shops and restaurants that let you forget you are at a developed resort. Mountain Village, on the other hand, gives you all the perks of a well-planned, beautiful development, with an elevation change protecting the historic town. From Telluride's box canyon, you're surrounded in all directions by 14ers and some of the most stunning mountain scenery you'll find. But there's more here than just the slopes -- world-class fly fishing, natural hot springs, ghost towns, Native American History, and 4 impressive National Parks are all within reach of an easy day trip. Telluride might not be as famous as Aspen or Vail, but honestly that's a good thing. Part of Telluride's appeal is that it is unspoiled by the crowds that flock to other resorts clogging up lift lines and restaurant reservations. From the skiing to the town, summer to winter, everything here is the best of both worlds.
MOST RECENT VISIT: 2018
THE BOTTOM LINE
So what's the big deal? Here's why Telluride is worthy of a stop on your itinerary:
IF YOU WANT THE BEST OF BOTH WORLDS
Get the authenticity of a historic mining town in Telluride proper with the convenience of a development in Mountain Village. Get the sophistication and luxury of a high end resort with the laid-back, pretention-free feel of a locals-only spot. Get some of the best skiing, ice climbing, and more in winter with all the scenery, history, and water activities to enjoy in summer. You get the point, and I keep hammering it home in the rest of this guide. Telluride really has it all.
IF YOU LOVE A PHOTOGENIC MOUNTAIN
Pictures really don't do Telluride justice in this department, and words even less so, so you'll really have to get out there and see for yourself. But, 360* views from the box canyon, jagged peaks reminiscent of the Dolomites, even the mountain from the Coors Light can are all here. The base areas are equally picturesque, and you'll be dazzled by the golden aspens in the fall.
IF YOU WANT TO AVOID THE CROWDS
Again, I'm almost tempted to not tell anyone how great Telluride is because it's so much less trafficked than other top Rockies resorts. There is truly something wonderful about being able to walk right up to a lift and ski down in near solitude. You can decide where you want to eat in the moment because restaurants don't book up weeks in advance. It's what a ski vacation should be.
TRAVEL TOOLKIT:
HOSPITALITY ATLAS
WHERE TO STAY
Trying to decide where to stay or looking for a lay of the land around the mountain? This guide gives an overview of the key base areas in Telluride, plus a selection of hotels, restaurants, and things to do for each. It then provides more detail for select hotels across the city.
Telluride has great options for where to stay - most are easy access, if not true ski-in, ski-out to the mountain. Pick between the gold-rush style town of Telluride or the Swiss chalet feel of Mountain Village. No matter what you'll be able to explore both base areas and their amenities with the free gondola. Depending on what you're looking for (and what you're looking to spend), there's something for everyone.
Click on the guide to learn more!
COMING SOON
CULINARY CONCIERGE
WHERE TO DINE & DRINK
Telluride serves up everything you could want in a ski town. Ambiance is abound, whether you want a cozy fireside meal at the base or the views that come with the highest-elevation restaurant in North America, Telluride has you covered. Our favorite part was that we didn't feel like we had to plan out reservations for every meal; the uncrowded resort let us truly explore its options.
This guide will break things down so you can check some of Telluride's best spots off your list and find the right place for the right occasion, from aprés to date night. Click on the guide to learn more!
PS: If you are looking for restaurants by location, click on the neighborhood guide to learn more.
COMING SOON
MOUNTAIN GUIDE
SKI & SNOW STATS
OPENING DATE
AROUND THANKSGIVING
SKIABLE ACRES
OVER 2,000
CLOSING DATE
AROUND APRIL 1ST
TRAILS
149
BASE ELEVATION
TELLURIDE: 8,750 FT.
MTN VILLAGE: 9,540 FT.
TERRAIN PARKS
3
SUMMIT ELEVATION
13,150 FT.
AVG. SNOWFALL
280 INCHES
MATCH BY SKIER ABILITY
BEGINNER
GOOD MATCH
~16% of terrain
INTERMEDIATE
TOP MATCH
~30% of terrain
ADVANCED
TOP MATCH
~21% of terrain
EXPERT
TOP MATCH
~34% of terrain
Keep in mind matching terrain to ability level is a matter of personal opinion and takes into account more than just the breakdown of terrain, see text below for more explanation
MORE DETAILS
The resort feels alive, but not crowded. We visited during peak spring break season and regularly found ourselves walking up to the chair with no line and enjoying runs in near-solitude (even on the lower parts of the mountain).
Telluride permits both skiers and snowboarders.
DIFFICULTY LEVEL
The diversity of terrain at Telluride is incredible. It has a reputation for having some of the most challenging in-bounds terrain in the US. It's also a premier spot for backcountry and heli-skiing, with over 250 square miles of terrain. But despite all that, it's still a great resort for beginners and intermediates. There are few other places where you can find green runs in a bowl setting, and some of the resort's blue runs are its most iconic. We hadn't skied for 10 years before visiting Telluride, and this was a great spot to get our "sea legs" back. No matter your ski ability, it's easy to ski lots of different terrain across multiple areas of the mountain.
I will say the difficulty curve accelerates quickly, so while there is an excellent ski school and first-timer's area and a few very long easy greens, you'll get the most out of the terrain if you have at least some experience. I'll also say to keep in mind the green-blue-black system is mountain-specific, and you might ski different terrain here than at another mountain. I took a semi-private lesson with another couple who got themselves in over their heads, and our instructor had to make it very clear that just because they skied blues the previous season at Breckenridge did not mean that they were ready to ski blues at Telluride. The nice thing is, Telluride has both single and double greens, blues, and blacks. This helps you get a better idea of what the terrain is going to be like before you accidentally tackle a blue that's looking a little more like a black.
PEAK BY PEAK
The layout of the mountain is easy to navigate. Rather than being spread across a broad lateral area, the runs all feed back towards the base. It's also pretty easy to get from one "peak" to another. We didn't find ourselves skiing out of our way just to try to move around the mountain.
As a beginner or intermediate, you can move around the vast majority of the resort and aren't relegated to one corner or to the bottom, but there's also some loose separation so experts aren't plowing over first-timers as they speed to the bottom for another lap. While the gondola makes it easy to get to either base quickly for skiers of all abilities, if you are a beginner and truly want ski-in, ski-out lodging, you'll want to stick to the Mountain Village where many of the greens and blues are concentrated.
TERRAIN HIGHLIGHTS
MADISON | PROSPECT BOWL
Double Green
Where else can you ski green runs in a bowl setting? We thoroughly enjoyed the powder & scattered trees of Prospect Bowl.
SEE FOREVER
Single Blue
This one couldn’t be better named. Starting near the peak you'll ski down the mountain's ridge with extraordinary views.
PLUNGE
Single Black
This one's beyond my skills, but it was my instructor's favorite. It's one of the steepest groomers you'll find anywhere.
GALLOPING GOOSE
Double Green
Don’t like lifts? This run is the longest at the resort at 4.6 miles long. Plenty of time to enjoy yourself.
ENCHANTED FOREST
Single Blue
Ok, this one is really short, but the kids were OBSESSED with it. It's a perfect place to explore the trees.
REVELATION BOWL
Single Black
This partially-groomed bowl on the backside of See Forever is the perfect spot for making powdery s-turns with epic views.
DOUBLE CABIN or BRIDGES
Double Green
These long, rolling runs add a dose of interest with a series of bridges and tunnels leading to luxe homes.
MISTY MAIDEN
Single Blue
Take this groomer to Gorrono Ranch and enjoy a mid-day break in one of the "ski beach's" Adirondack chairs
GOLD HILL
Extreme Double Black
Get the backcountry experience without leaving the resort. Take the stairs to these hike-to chutes for a dose of adrenaline.
TERRAIN MAPS
ACTIVITY PORTFOLIO
TOP THINGS TO DO
LAUNDRY LIST
There's a lot to see in Telluride! Check out this list for a deeper dive into the top things to do as well as a broader set of options that are more off the beaten path, perfect for repeat visitors.
Click on each to learn more!
SCENIC DRIVES
This jaw-dropping loop is an official All-American Road recognized for outstanding scenic, geologic, and historic sites
This segment of the San Juan Skyway is known for its beauty, ghost towns, hot springs, and dangerously steep drop-offs
A nice complement to the San Juan Skyway, this loop connects the four corners and multiple ancient Puebloan & Ute sites
Winding from Ridgway to Telluride, this rough, unpaved road offers prime views of Mt Wilson and golden aspen forests
Follow the Dolores River through canyon country, stopping to hike, see the Driggs Mansion, the hanging flume, and more
Zig-zagging from Ouray to Telluride, this 4x4-required trail passes by the iconic Bridal Veil Falls. You can also hike or bike
GHOST TOWNS
Take a jeep or hike to this ghost town now occupied by marmots on way through Imogene Pass to Ouray, which is 1h away
Alta was the 1st to use Tesla's AC electricity. Explore the remaining buildings with views of Mt Wilson or the nearby lakes
Take a challenging, 8-mi hike to the 5-story Lewis Mine, which is situated in a field of wildflowers beyond Bridal Veil Basin
HOT SPRINGS
An 1800s ghost town has been transformed into this high-end resort with day and overnight experiences to the springs & spa
In Ouray, these peaceful, untreated hot springs offer two outdoor pools (one private) and one spring situated in a cave
To really get in touch with nature, check out the clothing-optional, natural springs, which aren't heated or treated in any way
All 32 pools ranging from large to private are infused with nano-meter oxygen bubbles to amplify the health benefits
These large (~3/4 of a million gal.) pools offer a family-friendly & sulfur-free (aka odor-free) place to enjoy the hot springs
OTHER WINTER ACTIVITIES
JOURNEY BUILDER
ITINERARY ADD-ONS
Get away for the day with a day-trip nearby, or if you're not quite ready to cut your trip short, extend your itinerary and hop to another destination.
MATCH MAKER
WHO SHOULD GO
SHOULD TELLURIDE BE AT THE TOP OF YOUR BUCKET LIST?
BEST FOR:
COUPLES
FAMILIES W/
KIDS
SMALL
GROUPS
FIT
TRAVELERS
VIBE
Overall, I would say the resort has an upscale, yet completely unpretentious vibe. Coupled with the scenery and options for luxury lodging, Telluride becomes a fantastic couples' getaway.
Telluride has all of the amenities and sophistication you could desire without the snooty feeling of some other ski resorts. People come here because they want to ski and enjoy the outdoors, not just stroll around in designer gear. That doesn’t mean that there aren't 5-star resorts, top restaurants, and extraordinary homes, they're just free of unnecessary pretension. This is reinforced by the fact that Telluride is slightly harder to get to than some other places, where the masses are able to easily push a resort to capacity. You'll find short lift lines and runs to yourself with regularity.
Telluride also offers the best of both worlds, whether you like the authenticity of a historic mining town or the convenience of a planned resort. The skiing here is epic, but I think the town really pushes this resort to the top of my list. There are two base areas - Telluride and Mountain Village. Telluride itself transports you back in time to when this town was filled with gold seekers. The streets are full of quaint shops and restaurants that let you forget you are at a developed resort. Mountain Village, on the other hand, gives you all the perks of a well-planned, beautiful development, with an elevation change protecting the historic town. I really appreciated this because we stayed and skied on the Mountain Village side, where we reaped the benefits of a number of very-walkable restaurants and ski valet, but we were able to simply hop on the gondola to venture into town some nights.
COSTS
SKIING
Winter lift tickets start at $162 per day, but unlimited season passes are available for $735, and military personnel can receive a discounted pass for $115. Telluride is also a partner with Epic Pass, which offers 7 ski days at Telluride and 50% discounts once those days are used in addition to access to other resorts around the world. Click here for more info on the partnership.
Rentals will run between $50 and $100 per day depending on the quality of the skis you rent. You also typically get a discount if you rent online. Click here for more info.
If you'd like to take a lesson plan on spending $150 - 185 for a half-day group lesson with a maximum of 5 people. Click here to purchase tickets, passes, or lessons.
HOTELS
For a 4- or 5-star hotel, expect to spend anywhere between $500 - 1,500 or more per night during ski season depending on the hotel and the dates selected. Some hotels offer apartment-style accommodations that can also lead to high prices but might make sense with a group. In the summer, expect prices for the same hotels to cool slightly to between $500 - 750 per night.
DINNG & DRINKING
This of course depends largely on where you choose to go, but expect typical sit-down restaurants to charge $20 - 40 per entrée.
DATE SELECTOR
WHEN TO GO
WHEN SHOULD YOU PLAN TO EXPLORE AND FOR HOW LONG?
LOGISTICS PLANNER
WHAT TO BOOK
WHAT PESKY DETAILS SHOULD YOU TACKLE BEFORE YOU ARRIVE?
AIRPORT
TEX | Telluride
~5 miles from base
see alternatives below
TRAVEL TIME
4 HOURS
FROM HOUSTON
WALKABILITY
VERY WALKABLE
CAR NEEDS
ONLY NEEDED IF GOING ON DAY TRIPS
GETTING THERE
Telluride (TEX) is the closest airport and it's literally right in town on top of a mountain. Depending on where you're staying it's just a few miles to the resort. You'll have to connect unless you're flying private. Connection cities include:
-
Denver - 1h 5m (seasonal, daily)
-
Phoenix - 1h 35m (seasonal, daily)
You also have the option to fly into Montrose (MTJ), and then take a 1.5 hour drive to Telluride via car or shuttle. Popular routes include:
-
Denver - 1h 5m (daily)
-
Dallas - 2h 8m (daily)
-
Phoenix - 1h 41m (seasonal, daily)
-
Houston - 2h 36m (seasonal, daily)
-
Chicago - 2h 46m (seasonal, daily)
-
Atlanta - 3h 7m (seasonal, daily)
-
Newark - 4h 1m (seasonal, daily)
-
Austin - 2h 15m (seasonal, select days)
-
LA - 2h 25m (seasonal, select days)
-
San Francisco - 2h 35m (seasonal, select days)
As a third option, you can fly into Durango (DRO) with daily, year-round flights from Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas, but you'll have a longer drive to the resort. It's about 2.5 hours driving.
From Montrose or Durango, I recommend a shuttle or car service because the roads are quite windy. We had perfectly dry conditions for our drive, but I have heard some of the passes can get quite hairy in winter weather.
GETTING AROUND
AROUND TOWN
Getting around Telluride is beyond easy, something that can't be said for some other resorts. Both bases are truly ski-in / ski-out, but note that the Telluride side is mostly black runs and Mountain Village is mostly greens & blues. Once you hop off a lift, both bases are also pretty compact, and it won't take long to get to anything you need. A real perk is the gondola, which is free and runs from 6:30 AM to midnight, so no matter which base you choose, you can enjoy both without cutting your dinner reservation short. We never rode a bus or used our car for anything once we arrived.
RENTAL CARS
Between Rome's walkability and transit options, the only reason you need a car is if you're headed out of town to some of the smaller towns like Tivoli or Orvieto. Even if you're headed onto another major city, the train system is great and you might not need a car.
TICKETS & PASSES
I recommend purchasing your lift ticket or pass online before you get to the mountain to save yourself time at the ticket counter and be able to ski right away. Telluride lift tickets and passes can be purchased here. Winter lift tickets start at $162 per day, but unlimited season passes are available for $735, and military personnel can receive a discounted pass for $115.
Telluride is also a partner with Epic Pass, which offers 7 ski days at Telluride and 50% discounts once those days are used in addition to access to other resorts around the world. You'll have to plan ahead and purchase your Epic Pass before the season starts. The earlier you purchase the cheaper it will also be. Click here for more info on the partnership.
SKI SCHOOL
The ski school is awesome. Not just because the instructors are great (I highly recommend both Claire and Spike!), but for purely logistical reasons. I hadn't skied for 10 years, so I was in need of a refresher, but I didn't want to ditch my significant other entirely. Telluride offers half-day lessons (which I've found to be rare), so I took my lesson in the morning while my significant other skied more challenging slopes solo, then we met up and still got to ski together in the afternoon. The group lessons also host a maximum of 5 people, so you can actually afford to get the attention you need. One day I even lucked out and, given the abilities of those who signed up for lessons that day, I got a group lesson all to myself!
If you'd like to take a lesson, plan on spending $150 - 185 for a half-day group lesson with a max of 5 people. Click here to purchase tickets, passes, or lessons.
GEAR RENTALS
There are a variety of convenient spots at both bases to pick up your rentals, which means it's also easy to drop in to adjust a binding or swap out your boots if something doesn’t feel right. Rentals will run between $50 and $100 per day depending on the quality of the skis you rent. You also typically get a discount if you rent online. Click here for more info.
SKI VALET & LOCKERS
SKI VALET
Location: Mountain Village at the bottom of the Gondola stairs near Lift 4
Open: 8 AM to 5 PM
Rates:
-
Overnight skis or board only: $30 / night
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Overnight skis or board plus boots: $40 / night
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Small day locker: $20 / day
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Large day locker: $30 / day
Note: There is no overnight storage for helmets or boot bags
SLOPESIDE LOCKERS
Location: Mountain Village below Tomboy Tavern
Open: 8 AM to 5 PM
Rates:
-
Metal Ski & Board Locker - Day: $50 / day
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Metal Ski & Board Locker - Overnight: $60 / night
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Small day locker: $20 / day
Note: Space is limited
For more information or to make reservations click here.
MORE TO SEE
Park City: PTO Travel Pro* | Park City & Deer Valley: PTO Travel Pro* | Deer Valley: PTO Travel Pro*
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