GET THERE
Telluride is a 330-mile drive from Denver via Interstate 70. In Grand Junction, go south on U.S. 50 to Montrose. Continue south on U.S. 550 to Ridgway, then turn right onto Colorado 62. Follow this to Colorado 145 and turn left. Follow the signs into Telluride.
You can fly into Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) from Denver and seven other major cities (Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Salt Lake City, Newark, Atlanta and Los Angeles). You also can fly into Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ), 68 miles from Telluride, from those cities as well as from Phoenix. Telluride airport recently underwent a $50 million safety- based renovation that included extending the runway by 200 feet.
GET AROUND
One of the top things Telluride residents mention that they love about their hometown is that it is pedestrian-friendly and you don’t need a car once you’re there. From Telluride airport 5 miles away, a 10-minute, 2-person taxi ride with Mountain Limo (, 888-546-6894) costs $12 per person each way, and with Telluride Express (, 888-212-TAXI) a shuttle ride runs $15 per person, ($10 ages 2-11). From Montrose, Mountain Limo is $45 per person each way with a three-person minimum; Telluride Express is $51 ($32 ages 2-11).
Once in town, the free Galloping Goose bus does a town loop every 15 minutes (visit for schedule and stops).
If you do drive, pay close attention to street parking signs, because some areas do not allow overnight parking, while others have time limits that are strictly enforced.
STAY
The Hotel Telluride (199 N. Cornet St., 866-468-3501, ) sits three blocks from the center of town, which gives it a bit of an out-of-the-way feel. Free Wi-Fi, in-room microwaves and mini-fridges, Aveda products and a free hot-and-cold breakfast buffet are nice touches, and the rooms are comfortable and spacious. Rates vary; peak season they run about $249-$309.
The Inn at Lost Creek (119 Lost Creek Lane, 970-728-5678, ) is a good family spot; the studios are on the smaller side, but go up from there and you’ll have plenty of room in the warm, cozy spaces — the two-bedroom units have dining-room tables, full-size kitchens, an extra bed and washer/dryer. On-site full-service spa and rooftop hot tubs. Rates start at $349 for a one-bedroom and $769 for a two-bedroom unit at the height of ski season.
Lumière (118 Lost Creek Lane, 866-530-9466, ) is a ski-in/ski-out, boutique hotel in the heart of Mountain Village with studio suites with kitchenettes and one king or queen, as well as one- to three-bedroom “residences” with full kitchens. Great fitness center and hot tubs, and the pampering staff offers a welcome cheese tray and breakfast in bed. Studio rates start at $369.
DINE
Baked in Telluride (127 S. Fir St., 970-728-4775) has been the go-to spot for more than 30 years for well-brewed coffee drinks and breakfast baked goods: bagels, doughnuts, muffins and Mexican specialties. At lunch and dinner, switch to thick-crust pizza and a local beer.
The Cantina at Las Montanas (100 W. Colorado Ave., 970-728-5114) is perfect for people-watching and après-ski, with its huge windows and corner spot on the main drag. The chorizo corn dogs and sweet-potato steak fries with jalapeño blue cheese dip will kill you, but in a good way.
The Coffee Cowboy (123 E. Colorado Ave., 970-369-4946) is a repurposed horse trailer set off main street, and it serves the best lattes and other espresso drinks in town, hooves-down, all from fair-trade beans. There are a few picnic tables nearby, but the brew comes out fast and piping hot, perfect for cupping your hands around and setting off to window-shop the galleries.
Honga’s Lotus Petal (135 E. Colorado Ave., 970-728-5134, ) makes creative sushi rolls as well as savvy versions of pan-Asian favorites such as pad Thai, and the wine and sake lists work well with the menu. The stylish dining room looks out onto main street.
La Cocina de Luz (123 E. Colorado Ave., 970-728-9355, ) isn’t as nice to out-of-towners as they are to locals, but ignore the ‘tude and just tuck into the well-crafted regional Mexican and Southwestern fare, which is made from organic and free-range ingredients, locally sourced when possible. The margaritas are outstanding; the tortillas house-made.
221 South Oak (221 S. Oak St., 970-728-9507, ) serves up a spectacular New Orleans-style Sunday brunch, complete with beignets and Bloody Marys, as well as a regular menu of innovative fare that pulls from French, Creole and California cuisines. Check out the “menage u foie,” with the liver grilled, encrusted in pralines and made into a heavenly pâte.
SHOP
Bali Dog (305 Society Drive, 800-211-4470, balidog ) is a Lawson Hill shop that specializes in appealing handpainted yoga wear imported from Brazil. Check out the Amni tops and mat bags, along with the adorable kids’ yoga clothes.
Needle Rock Fiberarts (335 W. Colorado Ave., 970-728-3427, ) taps into the way your mind might think “wool cap” as you wander around in the cold during a visit here. Slick, silky, suri alpaca fibers from Ridgway, sock and Brown Sheep yarns, you name it, they have it, and a full selection of needles and hooks, as well as instruction guides in case you want to work on something on the drive home.
Picaya (101 W. Colorado Ave., 970-728-0954, picaya ) in Lawson Hill has plenty of the mini Tibetan prayer flags ($3) you find flying all over Telluride, along with Colorado-made, vegetable-based Tomboy Soaps, imported jewelry and home decor items.
Telluride Truffle (104 Society Drive, 866-543-0108, ) is a delicious answer to the souvenir question. Freshly made, triangle-shaped truffles that are out of this world, with flavors like tequila with salt and dark chocolate, Jack Daniels and banana-milk chocolate. Pick out your own assortment of three to 14 pieces; they’ll get packaged in a lovely red-and-black box.
Telluride Gallery of Fine Art (130 E. Colorado Ave., 970-728-3300, ) is that rare place in a ski town that features pricey art and items regular people can afford — in one recent visit, we found a Nepalese bracelet and loose beads for less than $40. The gallery showcases contemporary American artists as well as cool handmade and imported jewelry.
PLAY
The resort is open Nov. 26-April 4; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. More info: 970-728-6900 or tellurideskiresort Lift tickets: (early season Nov. 26-Dec. 19): Adult full day $69; child 6-12, $42; senior 65+, $60; (regular season): Adult full day $92; child 6-12, $56; senior 65+, $82. Ski school offers adult group lessons (no reservation required) for $150-$160 per person (depending on time of season), which includes lift ticket, lesson from 11:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m. and equipment rental. Kids group lessons (reservations required) cost $100-$150 (depending on season) and include lift ticket, lesson from 11:15 a.m.-3:45 p.m. and lunch. Rental costs $25 (including helmet). Visit the website or call 800-801-4832.
Must-do run: From the Revelation Lift, start at the blue See Forever and link it off a number of runs down into the Town of Telluride (possibilities include Plunge, Lookout, Coonskin and Spiral Stairs). That will give you an amazing (and rare) 3,845 vertical feet in one run. Hang onto those quads.
Ski Butlers (, 877-754-7754) is a convenient way to have your gear waiting at the lodging when you arrive. If something doesn’t fit right, they’ll meet you on the slopes to fix it, and they have a wide range of ski and snowboard styles for all skill levels. Ski and snowboard packages start at $35 a day ($4 less if you have your own ski boots) for the sport level.
Kyle Wagner
