Telluride

"Telluride Ski Resort - Something for Everyone!"

Telluride has the reputation for being a very challenging mountain.  Being a marginal skier, I was apprehensive about our trip and even mocked by my friends.  I am happy to report that I was pleasantly surprised – it was a fantastic experience and I cannot wait to return.

I traveled with my husband, 4 girls (ages 2, 4, 5 and 8) and my parents.  My oldest three kids attended the Telluride ski school while my parents, husband and the 2 year old explored the town.  We drove from Denver and spent an amazing long weekend at the resort.

Favorite Aspects of Telluride Mountain:

1. No lift lines.  Telluride is a destination resort and tends to attract 7-day visitors instead of weekend commuter traffic.  On the Saturday and Sunday I skied, I encountered no lift lines.  The Telluride staff I talked to said that it is highly unusual to wait over 5 minutes in a lift line anywhere on the mountain.
2. Amazing views.  Telluride is nestled in the southern Rocky Mountains and offers fantastic scenery from everywhere on the property.  The greatest concentration of 14ers in the United States is visible from the property.
3. Quiet, peaceful slopes.  The slopes were not crowded and it was unbelievably quiet.  At one point, I skied a 2-mile stretch without seeing another person.
4. The longest run at the resort (4.6 miles) runs from one of the highest lifts (Lift 12) to the Mountain Village and is a double green.  
5. Terrain of all levels (from double green to double black-extreme) is accessible from one lift (Lift 12).  This allows families and other groups to ride the lift together, ski terrain suited to their ability and meet at the bottom of the lift to do it all over again.
6. Some of the best beginner terrain I have ever seen.  The green runs off of the Ute lift are virtually deserted, wide open and a great place to practice new skills.  There is even a beginner terrain park along one side for when you start to feel brave.  
7. No need to drive.  The town of Telluride, Mountain Village, and the parking lots are connected by gondolas that run until midnight so there is no need to worry about parking.  
8. The town of Telluride has a rich history and it is worth spending time exploring the museum and stores.  Unlike some ski destinations, Telluride maintains its small town feel and seems to welcome visitors with open arms.  We met people everywhere we went and kids were always welcomed with a smile.

Tips & Tricks:

• Take a mountain tour to get your bearings.  They offer them every morning and for all ski levels.
• Begin the trip with a lesson.  Telluride has amazing terrain and ski instructors are the best people to show you secret stashes of powder, the best place for lunch, or even the easiest way down.

Getting there:
Telluride is a 6-hour drive from Denver.  Most visitors fly into either Telluride or Montrose airports.  Telluride staff noted that the Telluride airport sometimes closes for inclement weather but the Montrose airport rarely, if ever, closes.

Bottom Line:
Telluride has terrain for everyone from the beginner to the expert skier and it is an extremely family friendly resort.  The restaurants in Mountain Village had children’s menus and short wait times (even après ski).  The people in the town of Telluride were friendly and welcoming and the restaurants also family friendly.  The gondola made it fun and easy to get around the resort without needing to drive.  I cannot wait to return and highly recommend this as a top ski destination.

Disclosure:
This review is based a 2 day complimentary lift ticket and expert mountain tour conducted by Telluride employee Tom Watkinson.  I received no other compensation and the business owner did not state any requirements that I express a particular point of view.