A ski resort has to be doing a lot of things right to make SKI magazine’s shortlist as a top five destination in their annual Resort Guide. And while a Telluride ski vacation might require a bit more effort than visiting most other resorts, driving up the breathtaking box canyon in the San Juan Mountains is a priceless experience. After settling into your accommodations, find easy access to the ski hill and mountain village via Telluride Ski Resort's free gondola.
Besides its remarkably remote positioning, Telluride is surrounded by fourteen thousand foot peaks and is easily one of Colorado’s most gorgeous mountain towns. Rich in mining-era character and stocked with endless stashes, steeps, and deeps to explore thanks to nonexistent crowds, Telluride is a place you’ll never want to leave.
...in historic, downtown Telluride or the contemporary Mountain Village.
...at a top elevation of 13,320’ on Palmyra Peak—if you dare!
...by flying into Montrose for ultimate convenience.
…breathtaking views of the San Juan Mountains.
…200 square miles of heli-skiing tenure with Telluride Helitrax.
…50+ restaurants.
…yourself to a ritual at the Peaks Resort & Spa.
…heli skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling—a few examples of Telluride’s many winter activities.
The Telluride skiing offers something for all ability levels, literally. With 23 percent beginner terrain, 36 percent intermediate terrain and 41 percent expert terrain, every type of skier can enjoy Telluride skiing. Are you looking for long cruising groomed beginner or intermediate runs with stunning panoramic views of the San Juan Mountains? You’ll find them in Telluride. Are you interested in skiing challenging, rock-littered terrain that feels more like the Alps than Colorado? Telluride’s advanced and extreme terrain is bar none! Are you a fan of moguls? There are thousands of vertical feet of bumps to bang around on in Telluride.
Telluride is a skier’s mountain. The people who call Telluride home and those who return year after year for their ski trip love Telluride Mountain because of the challenging runs easily accessed from the chairlifts, the world-class views that will undoubtedly knock your socks off, and, of course, the atmospheric town.
There are two distinct parts of Telluride: Downtown and Mountain Village. Downtown Telluride still retains the feel and charm of a former mining town, it’s a snapshot of days gone by and the locals that live in Telluride work hard to keep it genuine. Mountain Village, over the ridge from downtown, is reminiscent of most contemporary resort villages—modern hotels, shops, and restaurants line the cobblestone walkways (or “breezeways” as the locals call them).
To experience the best of both worlds, you can take the complimentary 15-minute gondola ride that links downtown Telluride with Mountain Village, making the absolute coolest commute in any mountain town. Whether you opt for the charm and action of histortic downtown or the quiet atmosphere and comfortable accoutrements of Mountain Village, bouncing between both areas is easy and fun.
Mountain Stats
3845'
Vertical Drop
8725'
Base Depth
12570'
Summit Depth
TERRAIN
2000ac
Total Acres
17
Total Lifts
0mi
Longest Run
Trails
Activities
TerrainPark
No
Tubing
No
Night Skiing
No
Mountain is good
Good mountain for skiing. Was disappointed the more difficult terrain on the Telluride city side is mostly served by slow lifts. Also, while on the lifts and gondolas heading to dinner, it was sad to hear there ski instructors talking about doing drugs and drinking, then coming to instruct to "sober up again." Also, heard many times on the lifts instructors yelling at little kids. I would definitely not bring my kids to ski there. The sidewalks were not taken care of. Almost all had ice on them and it would be a miracle if you didn't slip and fall from the gondolas to the hotels, or the Main Street in Telluride.
Outstanding
Everything about this trip was amazing! The team that helped us put it together handled everything!!
A ski destination to discover
I discovered Telluride as a ski destination with the help of your specialist. It is a great recommandation for skiers searching for a special place to take a ski vacation. The locals are very friendly and the mountain can satisfy all type of skiers. In addition, Telluride is a place where you find excellent restaurant. An overall experience among my list preferred destinations! See you next year! Michel
Ski Vacation with family
Wow ! Wow ! Wow! Forget about Vail, Beaver Creek, Aspen, Montremblant, Park city, etc. Telluride is the Best ! By far !!!! The snow was amazing, no lines on gondola and we where lucky to ski in 35 degrees !!!!
Great service
Amazing service, everyone was so nice from the ski valet to the lift operators. Helped first time skiiers with a smile
Great mountain!!
We haven't visited Telluride, CO ski resort in over 15 years. While it's grown and gentrified, it still offers gorgeous vistas and great skiing.
Telluride is a HIDDEN GEM!
While Telluride is a little harder to get to, that is what makes it so worth the journey! It is so special having the town and ski base be one and the same - if you stay downtown like we did. If you stay in Mt Village, the gondola connects the base and town. Both choices are GREAT! We have been to T-ride 7 times, and it is our TOP PICK for uncrowded skiing, fabulous restaurants. ( Allreds, Flora Dora & Brown Dog); on-mountain lunch & music (Gorrono Ranch ❤️ everyday); and rugged beauty! We drove from Montrose, parked the car & walked everywhere. LOVE TELLURIDE❤️
Never crowded in January. Almost always good snow.
Cold this year, but excellent snow and no lift lines. Wide variety of restaurants with easy access to all via the gondolas. Great scenery with all the near by mountains.
Telly was AMAZING!
It was our first trip to the San Juan mountains and we will definitely be going back again and again. Big uncrowded resort with fast lift lines and plenty of runs for all skier levels. Great snow!!!
Our favorite winter vacation spot!
Telluride is in a remote location which works out perfectly as our escape from the hustle & bustle of the holidays. My husband and I both snowboard and had maybe a 3 min wait in the lift lines if at all. This wasn’t fluke chance as we had the same experience 7 years ago here too. The mountain has plenty of spots to stop for a drink, snack, or warm up by an outdoor fire pit. We even found some pretty bougie bathrooms at the top. Our young boys took ski lessons which were fantastic with small skill based groups with amazing instructors. One day we opted to hire a sitter since the resort doesn’t offer care for kids beyond babies/ toddlers. Telluride Sitters was very accommodating with this and came right to our hotel. Another perk is the free gondola from the resort to the town which is full of cute places to eat and shop, so you really have no need for a car. Everyone is friendly from other patrons to the staff working there. You’ll also likely see some A list actors trying to lay low there too (but be respectful of their vacation ya know). We can’t wait to return next year!
go to Telluride now
Telluride is one of the few hidden gems left in Ski Country. It is one of the coolest towns anyone could ever dream up. It is tucked into a box canyon which is basically huge mountains on three sides of you jutting up to the sky. Then a little grid of a town with the only town to town gondola in the United States. People use it to get from Mountain Village to the town of Telluride for work, skiing, whatever. Telluride keeps its charm because it is pretty hard to get to for the most part. You fly to Montrose and drive or shuttle about 90 minutes to Telluride. Or the brave few with cash can fly direct to Telluride’s mountain airport 5 minutes to town. The lodging in Telluride can be had for less than most big time resorts. The skiing there is pretty amazing. From chutes to trees to blue runs that go on forever, I really believe it has it all. The snow we received when our group was there one early February may be clouding my thoughts with snowflakes but they usually seem to get their fair share of the southern Colorado storms out their way. Families will love the mountain village and it’s easy ski in and out access to most of the condos there. The ski school begins up there as well. The dining in town and the Mountain Village ranges mid to high end. If there is a knock on Telluride it is that there is not much for cheap eats. The bakery in town definitely qualifies though. If your tastes are higher, I loved Cosmopolitan when I got to eat there. For nightlife, I think this town is really underrated. From festivals year round to dive bars and local live music. It is really a cool place to go out on the town. My family and I usually take a yearly trip to Telluride in the fall to enjoy the quiet time and see it all over again. We missed it this year but it will be on our radar for the coming months.Good
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