Words can fail you when you first see the panoramas that stretch to the horizon from the top of the lifts at Telluride. And it is no surprise, with Telluride surrounded by more 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks than anywhere else in the USA.
From its cool name to its even cooler town, a National Historic Landmark, Telluride serves up the perfect degustation of snow holiday for families, with a dessert of dashing activities to please everyone. The pastel-adorned Victorian-era town is linked to the Mountain Village by a free gondola, and whether you choose to stay up or down, you can ski or snowboard to and from both.
Telluride is known as one of the most beautiful ski towns on Earth, and you‘ll be saying ‘wow‘ on repeat when you are up on the See Forever run. Words can fail you when you first see the panoramas that stretch to the horizon from the top of the lifts at Telluride. And it is no surprise, with Telluride surrounded by more 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks than anywhere else in the USA. Particularly jaw-dropping is the See Forever run and the top of the Revelation Bowl
Telluride is a historic mining town that squeezes into the bottom of a box canyon. It is a designated National Historic Landmark District, its streets lined with beautiful Victorian-era wooden houses painted in an array of pastels. The main street is Western chic, with galleries, boutiques, outdoor gear and cafes.
The Mountain Village sits over the ridge and is where the ski resort and all the modern condos, lodges and hotels are based, many ski-in, ski-out. The plazas are trimmed by ski gear shops, restaurants and bars, and there is even an ice rink.
Ski lessons are offered for kids from two-and-a-half to 14, with snowboard lessons for shredders from five to 14. Kids love learning in the beginners-only Meadows area, which was recently expanded to offer a terrain-based learning program. From here they can progress to the green runs off the Sunshine Express lift.
The two towns are connected by a free, scenic gondola, which doubles as a transport system. The 13-minute ride is spectacular, with guests staying in the Mountain Village able to catch the gondola down to Telluride for dinner or shopping, and visitors who stay in Telluride town able catch it up to go skiing and snowboarding, or to dine in Mountain Village. The gondola runs from 6.30am to midnight and is run on electricity generated by wind and solar power.
Telluride Ski Resort has 810 hectares of skiable terrain with 17 lifts carrying riders up to access over 148 trails. The highest lifted point is the Revelation Lift at a heady 3,815 metres. Don’t miss the Galloping Goose, which is the longest run at the resort at a thigh-burning 7.4 kilometres. If you are intermediate or above, doing the Plunge or Bushwacker and then gliding down Bail Out or Easy Out to the town is one of life’s great pleasures. Advanced adventurers can hike up to Palmyra Peak, which soars to 4,060 metres. There’s even terrain for Nordic skiers and snowshoers.
Ice skating at the rink in Mountain Village is a great thing to do – rent some skates from the Madeline Hotel and give it a go – or you can strut your stuff on the bigger outdoor or indoor rinks at Telluride Town Park. Strap on snowshoes and go on a tour. You can also go bike riding on snow bikes or fat bikes, go fly fishing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, or relax in the hot springs at Ouray, an hour away.
There are so many great places to eat. On the mountain, Gorrono Ranch is fantastic to eat up, warm up and rest up for more skiing or snowboarding and Giuseppe’s is an institution. If the kids are in ski school, head for Alpino Vino, where the views are almost as good as the food. In Mountain Village, head for Siam’s Talay Grille, and in Telluride, Rustico and Oak Beer Bourbon and Barbecue are excellent.
Mountain Lodge has beautifully furnished two-bedroom condominiums as well as private cottages that have up to six bedrooms. The Lodge is a full-service hotel with staff that go the extra mile to make sure every member of your family is well looked after.
Another gem in Mountain Village is the Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge. Families love this hotel, located just steps from the gondola, the property offers babysitting services, a kids’ club and games room, and everything you could need for a baby, from car seats to prams and high chairs. There is a range of accommodation including two- and three-bedroom residences that are luxury all the way.
Riding a snowmobile to a ghost town is something none of the family will forget. Telluride Outfitters conducts two-hour tours to Alta ghost town three times a day, with the majesty of the scenery front and centre. You’ll stop at the ghost town and have a good look around, and it doesn’t take much to imagine what it would have been like in its heyday. Choose to do a tour at sunset and be rewarded with majestic views that will be etched in your memory.
Oh, the scenery. Telluride is surrounded by the highest concentration of 13,000- and 14,000-foot (about 4,000-metre) peaks in North America, and the views are mind-blowing. Head down the See Forever run and you will be reaching for your phone every few minutes to snap more photos!
The real Butch of Butch and Sundance fame lived in Telluride for five years or so and robbed his first bank here at 129 W. Colorado Avenue. As for the safe, you can see that too; it’s located in a sunglasses shop.
This article originally appeared in Ski & Snowboard with Kids. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.
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