Telluride 
United States
Nestled in the San Juan Mountains, Telluride seamlessly blends an authentic Wild West town with a world-renowned ski resort. Established during the 19th-century mining boom, abandoned in the 1950s, and reborn in the 1970s with the inauguration of five mountain lifts, Telluride now attracts skiers worldwide. With 711 meters of annual snowfall and peaks exceeding 4,000 meters, it boasts 810 hectares of skiable terrain, 19 lifts, and 148 slopes catering to all skill levels. From the longest descent, Galloping Goose, to popular slopes like The See Forever and Prospec Bowl, Telluride offers a thrilling experience. For the adventurous, heliskiing opens up over 500km² of untouched, snowy wilderness—truly an adrenaline-seeker’s paradise.
SEASON
Northern Hemisphere December to May
MONTAIN
Base - 8,725 feet
Top - 13,150 feet
148 SKI RUNS
Lift
19
SERVICES
GASTRONOMY
In the village: Here, there is no shortage of restaurants with interesting propositions such as Wood Ear, which mixes Texan and Asian influences, the Black Iron Kitchen & Bar, which works with dry-aged meats, and The National, which recreates classic dishes. In addition to steaks and seafood, 221 South Oak has a full vegetarian menu and is known for its intimate atmosphere and extensive wine list, Altezza and Rustico Ristorante serve classic Italian cuisine, Chop House, inside the premises of the New Sheridan hotel, serves delicious steaks and La Marmotte, with over 20 years of tradition, serves French cuisine specialties during dinner. On the mountain: There are great options for gourmet restaurants on the mountain, such as Allred's, which has beautiful views of the region, Alpino Vino, for Italian cuisine, Bom Vivant, with a French-accented menu, and Giuseppe's, which offers American with some New Orleans specialties. It is also on the slopes that skiers can find one of the best hamburgers in the region, at Gorrono Ranch.
WHAT TO DO BEYOND SKIING
The resort offers classic snowbike, snowmobile or snowshoes tours – just choose your preferred way to move. But another exciting outdoor excursion is ice climbing: the area has great ice walls for those who have never ventured into the sport. Plus, it's worth taking the time to experience Telluride's vintage charm, whether by watching a movie at the charming Nugget Theater or visiting the Historical Museum, which is housed in a former hospital from 1896 and has more than 9,000 objects and 1,500 photographs that recount the local history, or fit in a private tour of Wagner Custom Skis Factory Tour, a sustainable ski factory in the heart of Mountain Village.
ACTIVITIES FOR KIDS
During the day, Telluride Town Park is full of children and adults sliding down side by side on the tubing rinks or skating in one of two rinks – one is outdoors and the other is covered. Another good option is Eco Adventures, which welcomes children from five to twelve years old and introduces them to the snowy landscape with snowshoe walks and building ice castles. On specific dates, the Kid’s Night Out program has monitors at the Telluride Adventure Center until 9pm to entertain the kids.
SHOPPING
Colorado Avenue, Telluride's main street, has a dozen interesting local stores, such as Cashmere Red, which sells Scottish cashmere, and Telluride Trappings & Toggery, with clothing and accessories. But there are also great, well-known sports brands, such as Burton and Patagonia.
NIGHTLIFE
It's hard to pick just one place to enjoy Telluride's après-ski. The oldest bar in town is the Historic Bar Telluride at the New Sheridan hotel, which has been around since 1895 and is worth a visit in its own right. The Oak Fat Valley BBQ is great for an unpretentious beer, while the Tomboy Tavern serves a famous Bloody Mary and the There Bar has inventive drinks accompanied by Asian appetizers. For live music, fun options are the relaxed Poachers Pub or the elegant Club Red.
SKI FOR ALL LEVELS
Telluride's longest run is the beginner's favorite Galloping Goose, which spans 7.4 kilometers, with a maximum vertical drop of 1,349 meters, while the resort's two most popular runs, The See Forever and Prospec Bowl, are ideal for intermediate skiers. In addition, Telluride is world renowned for its areas for experts and radicals, which are among the most famous in the world, such as Kant-Mak-M, Revelation Bowl, Black Iron Basin, Gold Hill Chutes and The Plunge.
HELISKI
The helicopter takes off in the morning towards the most sought-after peaks in the region. The destination? An area of more than 500km², where the snow is always fluffy and the scenery is beyond imagination. Bowls, large corridors or wide trails are the stage for exciting descents that can start at over 4,000 meters of altitude. The tour, with experienced guides, includes an average of six descents.
HOW TO GET HERE
MAP
Lodging Options
Auberge Residences at Element 52
Unique selection of 48 upscale properties with configurations ranging from 1 to 5 bedrooms, always beautifully decorated and combining two sensational features: located in historic downtown Telluride and ski-in/ski-out. They also offer a huge range of services designed to meet the expectations of snow sports enthusiasts.
Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge
With the brand of the international Fairmont Hotel chain and the fact that it is the pioneer among the hotel condos in Telluride, the Fairmont Heritage Place blend hotel efficiency and the privacy and practicality that only a private property can offer. They are apartments with two or three suites,…
Madeline Hotel & Residences
Located midway up the mountain, overlooking the historic downtown of Telluride and just steps away from the gondola, Madeline Hotel & Residences celebrates snow culture in every form. In fact, some of its accommodations provide direct mountain access—simply wake up, put on your boots and skis, and glide down the…
Mountain Lodge Telluride
The charm of the Old West and modern elegance define the Mountain Lodge Telluride. Wood, stone, leather, and fireplaces create the ideal climate for creating unforgettable moments during your winter holiday. Neighbor to Mountain Village, this resort is just a gondola ride away from the Telluride Ski Resort with its…
The Peaks Resort & Spa
The grandiose Telluride mountains and beautiful property itself make any stay at The Peaks a memorable vacation, filled with perks and special luxuries. Be it from the accomodations (from the one-bedroom suites to four-bedroom penthouses), with a full kitchen and fireplace, to the meticulously created dishes at Altezza restaurant, to…
