Whether it comes from the telluridium ore that was never actually mined in the area, or miners shouting "To Hell You Ride!" as they pushed off into underground shafts… the stories behind the name hint at the rich history of this southwest Colorado mining-turned-ski town. But most Rocky Mountain ski towns claim rich histories - so really, besides Butch Cassidy making his bank-robbing debut there, what makes Telluride worth your hard-earned vacation time?
There's no doubt that the San Juan Mountains that Telluride calls home are among the most stunning in the lower 48. And Telluride doesn't just have views of the mountains; they tower over its tiny downtown, a constant reminder that you are not in an ordinary place. The resort itself is formidable, offering enough steeps to humble the most advanced riders, and the new Prospect Bowl is a major terrain addition that has received rave reviews from beginners and experts alike.Enjoy 66 and counting runs offering a ski challenge for all levels.
While Telluride is isolated, direct flights to Telluride Airport and jet service to nearby Montrose make it accessible to modern visitors. And once you're there, the going is easy. Telluride is made up of two towns: the historic Telluride, and the more European-style, (and decidedly shinier), Mountain Village. The town of Telluride is just 12 blocks long, and is connected to the Mountain Village via a free Gondola-making it easy for visitors to experience Telluride's two sides.
The slopeside location makes Telluride the ideal ski-in, ski-out mountain town, complete with charming restaurants, galleries and night spots.
Lodging and dining are abundant and high quality. Don't miss Allred's, perched at 10,500 feet with world-class cuisine from Executive Chef Bob Scherner. La Marmotte serves up authentic French cuisine, and of course, hit the infamous Baked In Telluride for coffee and baked goods before skiing.
Last week, USA Today called Telluride "the most beautiful ski town in the country." The recognition of what this southwest Colorado mining-turned-ski town has to offer is hardly new. But with a new management team and a new focus, Telluride is poised to reinforce its position as one of the best and most unique mountain resort destinations in the world.
Owned by Chuck Horning and his son Chad since February of last year, Telluride has been looking for ways to stay at the top of the resort game without relying too heavily on growth, which, in the destination travel business, can be a double-edged sword.
Ken Stone, the resort's new Executive Vice President of Marketing, recently gave fans of Telluride a glimpse of the new strategy. Telluride, Stone said, is "singular" in nature. "There are so many guests and so many locals who are passionate about this place that there is no need for us to try to position ourselves against other resorts. In a sense, it's very simple." "We'd rather spend money on the customer experience than on advertising," Horning added.
In other words, Telluride wants to spend its advertising dollars on its guests, which is a good thing for travelers. Get ready for this already service-oriented resort to roll out the red carpet even farther to earn your hard-earned vacation time.
For lodging, check out the Wyndham Peaks Resort, The Mountain Lodge at Telluride, or the Franz Klammer Lodge.
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