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Great après-ski
Snow-sure resort
Stunning views
Foodie paradise
Off-piste skiingGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortStunning viewsFoodie paradiseOff-piste skiingGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortStunning viewsFoodie paradiseOff-piste skiingGreat après-skiSnow-sure resortStunning viewsFoodie paradiseOff-piste skiingTucked into a box canyon in the USA’s southwest Colorado, Telluride feels more like a well-kept secret than a major ski destination. At 2,659m and framed by 4,000m peaks on three sides, the historic mining town has a dramatic setting that's hard to match. There's a quiet confidence about the place, with fewer crowds, a laid-back atmosphere, and a community vibe that makes you feel like you're visiting a local destination rather than a resort built purely for tourists.
The mountain covers 2,000 acres with 149 runs spread across a 1,349m vertical drop, making it one of the longest continuous descents in Colorado. Terrain leans towards the adventurous side. Over half the runs are rated advanced or expert, but there's a well-designed progression for intermediates and a protected beginner. Seventeen lifts, including two gondolas and six high-speed quads, keep things moving efficiently, and the free gondola connecting the town to Mountain Village is one of the smartest pieces of resort infrastructure you'll find.
Beyond the slopes, Telluride's historic Main Street is lined with independent restaurants, galleries, and shops, all backdropped by the San Juan Mountains. The town has a strong arts and festival culture, a relaxed but sociable après-ski scene, and enough off-mountain activities to fill a week. The season typically runs from late November through early April, and the south-facing aspect means plenty of bluebird days.
Check out Telluride ski deals to start planning your trip.
Tucked into a box canyon in the USA’s southwest Colorado, Telluride feels more like a well-kept secret than a major ski destination. At 2,659m and framed by 4,000m peaks on three sides, the historic mining town has a dramatic setting that's hard to match. There's a quiet confidence about the place, with fewer crowds, a laid-back atmosphere, and a community vibe that makes you feel like you're visiting a local destination rather than a resort built purely for tourists.
The mountain covers 2,000 acres with 149 runs spread across a 1,349m vertical drop, making it one of the longest continuous descents in Colorado. Terrain leans towards the adventurous side. Over half the runs are rated advanced or expert, but there's a well-designed progression for intermediates and a protected beginner. Seventeen lifts, including two gondolas and six high-speed quads, keep things moving efficiently, and the free gondola connecting the town to Mountain Village is one of the smartest pieces of resort infrastructure you'll find.
Beyond the slopes, Telluride's historic Main Street is lined with independent restaurants, galleries, and shops, all backdropped by the San Juan Mountains. The town has a strong arts and festival culture, a relaxed but sociable après-ski scene, and enough off-mountain activities to fill a week. The season typically runs from late November through early April, and the south-facing aspect means plenty of bluebird days.
Check out Telluride ski deals to start planning your trip.
Telluride has a natural flow to it, making skiing and snowboarding expansive and uncrowded. You’ll find open groomers on one side, steep chutes and bump runs tucked into the other, with tree-lined glades connecting the two. You can spend a morning cruising wide boulevards with views that stretch across the San Juan range, then drop into steep and committing territory after lunch.
Terrain divides broadly into the front side, which faces the town with steeper, more challenging runs. The back side towards Prospect Bowl and Gold Hill opens up into wider terrain with excellent intermediate cruising and some serious expert lines.
For UK visitors used to the European grading system, it's worth knowing that North American resorts use a different trail rating. Green circles are beginner runs (similar to European greens), blue squares cover a wide range of intermediate terrain, black diamonds are advanced, and double black diamonds are expert only.
WeSki insider tip: There's no direct equivalent to European red runs. US blue squares can vary considerably in difficulty, so confident intermediates may find some blues more challenging than expected.
Telluride has a thoughtful setup for first-timers. The main beginner area sits at the top of the free gondola in Mountain Village, where the Meadows zone provides gentle, wide-open slopes away from faster traffic. It's a great place to learn at altitude without feeling overwhelmed by the scale of the mountain. From there, the Double Cabin lift accesses longer green circle runs that let you build confidence at your own pace.
Once you're comfortable, runs like Galloping Goose give you a genuine taste of the mountain, with a long, scenic descent that winds through the trees without ever getting too steep. The progression from learning area to proper mountain skiing feels natural here, which makes a real difference to your first week on snow.
WeSki insider tip: Take the free gondola up to Mountain Village and start at the Meadows learning area. It's at 2,926m, so the snow quality is usually excellent, and you'll have the space to practise without competing for room.
Intermediates will find plenty to keep them busy across Telluride's front and back sides. Blue-square terrain here covers a wide range, from gentle groomers like Telluride Trail and Peek-A-Boo to longer, more varied descents that push your comfort zone. Prospect Bowl opens up a huge area of rolling intermediate terrain, with a big-mountain feel that you don't always get on groomed runs.
The mountain rewards exploration for intermediates. Head skier’s right off the Plunge lift for some of the best cruising on the mountain, or venture into the trees along Palmyra for a taste of glade skiing with a safety net. On a clear day, the views from the top of Lift 14 across to the Wilson Peaks are worth the ride alone.
WeSki insider tip: Prospect Bowl is best in the morning when the groomers are fresh and the light is good. Start there, then work your way across to the front side as the sun comes around.
Telluride's reputation among strong skiers and boarders is well earned, with over half the mountain rated advanced or expert. The mountain’s front face drops steeply into town via runs like The Plunge, a sustained, mogulled black diamond that's visible from Main Street. Spiral Stairs and Mammoth offer tight, technical bump lines, while Kant-Mak-M delivers a proper leg-burning descent with little respite from start to finish.
For experts, the hike-to terrain off Gold Hill and Black Iron Bowl provides some of the most exhilarating in-bounds skiing in Colorado. These are serious lines, with exposed chutes, cliff bands, and steep couloirs that demand good snow assessment and confident technique. Revelation Bowl adds more accessible double-black terrain with a slightly shorter approach.
WeSki insider tip: Gold Hill opens later in the season and only when conditions allow. Check the snow report first thing and head there early if it's open, because the lines fill in quickly after a fresh snowfall.
Telluride's natural terrain is excellent for snowboarding. Wide-open bowls, consistent pitch, and well-maintained groomers make it a pleasure to ride, while the tree runs and chutes provide natural hits and features throughout the mountain. The layout is largely boarder-friendly with minimal flat traverses, so you won't spend much time unstrapping.
Telluride has strong in-bounds off-piste options, particularly in Gold Hill, Black Iron Bowl, and Revelation Bowl. These areas receive good snowfall and hold snow well thanks to the north and east-facing aspects. Beyond the resort boundaries, the surrounding San Juan Mountains provide extensive backcountry touring for those with the right equipment and experience, though avalanche awareness is essential.
Telluride Ski & Snowboard School operates across the mountain with group and private lessons for all ages and abilities. Programmes run from first-timers through to advanced clinics covering bumps, steeps, and backcountry skills. Children's lessons start from age three, with dedicated learning areas and age-appropriate instruction.
Telluride has three terrain parks and a halfpipe, and features are regularly maintained and reshaped throughout the season. The Ute Park progression starts with small features and builds up to larger jumps and rails, making it accessible for riders looking to develop their freestyle skills. The halfpipe sits alongside the main park area.
Telluride is a strong choice for families, partly because of the layout. The gondola connecting Telluride town to Mountain Village means you can move easily between the two. Mountain Village has a pedestrian-friendly core with ski-in/ski-out access, while the town itself has more variety for evenings out. For parents, the ease of the gondola system takes a lot of stress out of the logistics. You can drop the children at ski school in Mountain Village, then head to the town side of the mountain for a few runs or a quiet coffee on Main Street.
Kids' ski school operates from age three with a dedicated children's area at the Meadows, and the teaching progression is well structured. Older children and teenagers will appreciate the variety of terrain. There's enough challenge to keep them motivated without needing to venture into expert-only zones, and the terrain parks provide a good outlet for freestyle-minded teens.
Activities like ice skating, tubing, and snowshoeing give the whole family something to do on rest days, and the Telluride Conference Center houses a climbing wall and indoor activities for days when the weather turns. Dining across the resort tends to be welcoming for families . Most restaurants here are relaxed about children, and the Mountain Village food court area keeps things simple for early-evening meals.
Telluride rewards time away from the slopes just as much as time on them. The combination of a historic town, dramatic mountain scenery, and a strong arts community means rest days and non-skiers are well catered for. Whether you're after outdoor adventure, cultural experiences, or simply a slow morning with good coffee and mountain views, the resort has you covered.
Telluride's setting in the San Juan Mountains provides a stunning backdrop for winter activities beyond skiing and snowboarding. Many of these experiences take full advantage of the surrounding wilderness:
For days off the mountain, Telluride's historic town and surrounding area provide plenty to explore. A combination of culture, wellness, and scenery makes rest days feel like a highlight.
Telluride's dining scene punches well above what you'd expect from a small mountain town. A concentration of quality restaurants along Main Street and in Mountain Village covers everything from refined American cuisine to casual slope-side lunches, with a strong emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and craft beverages.
WeSki insider tip: Try the green chilli, it's a Colorado staple and several restaurants in town serve their own version. Pair this with a local craft beer from Telluride Brewing Company for the full experience.
Telluride's après-ski scene is more relaxed and sociable than party-driven. The atmosphere starts mellow in the late afternoon at slope-side spots and builds gently into evening drinks along Main Street, where the bars have a distinctly Western character.
There's enough variety to keep things interesting across a week. Live music is a regular feature at several venues, the local brewery is always worth a visit, and the cocktail scene has stepped up in recent years. If you like your après with conversation, good drinks, and a bit of personality, Telluride gets it right.
Accommodation in Telluride splits between two distinct areas connected by the free gondola. The trade-off is straightforward: town for atmosphere and evening life, Mountain Village for slope access and convenience. The gondola runs until late evening, so you're never stuck on the wrong side.
Telluride town has Victorian-era buildings, independent shops, and walkable Main Street with the mountain rising directly above. You'll find boutique hotels, rental condos, and some larger lodge-style properties, most within a short walk of the gondola base or the town chair lift. Mountain Village provides ski-in/ski-out convenience with a more modern, resort-style feel. Hotels and condominiums here cluster around the gondola station and core village area.
Telluride ski passes give you access to the resort’s 91 slopes, lifts and the gondola connecting the two villages. Single-day and multi-day lift tickets are available, and you can check for family and multi-day pass options.
Purchase ski passes when booking your Telluride ski holiday package through WeSki and find the best fit for your trip.
Several rental shops operate in both Telluride town and Mountain Village, with options ranging from basic packages to premium demo equipment.Most shops are located near the gondola stations, making collection and return straightforward. Boot fitting services are widely available and worth taking advantage of - a proper fit makes a significant difference, especially at this altitude. Booking in advance is recommended during peak weeks.
The free gondola is the backbone of getting around Telluride, running between the town and Mountain Village with a journey time of around 13 minutes. It operates from early morning until late evening, making it easy to move between accommodation, slopes, and dining throughout the day. The Galloping Goose shuttle provides a bus service within Mountain Village, and a dial-a-ride service covers the wider area.
Telluride town itself is compact and walkable. Main Street is about six blocks long, and most accommodation sits within a few minutes' walk, and Mountain Village is more spread out, but the shuttle system connects all key points. Taxis are available but rarely necessary for day-to-day getting around.
Telluride has its own regional airport (TEX), though most international visitors fly into Montrose-Telluride Regional Airport (MTJ), Grand Junction (GJT), or Durango (DRO). Montrose receives seasonal direct flights and is the most convenient option for transfers. The travel from airport to resort can take several hours, but you’re going through some of Colorado's most scenic mountain passes.
WeSki provides car rentals from the airport as well as private and shared transfers to Telluride to simplify the journey. Add them to your Telluride ski holiday package for seamless door-to-door travel.
North America uses a different grading system from Europe. Green circles are beginner runs (similar to European greens), blue squares cover intermediate terrain (but can range widely in difficulty, since there's no equivalent to European reds), black diamonds are advanced, and double black diamonds are expert only. If you're a confident intermediate used to European reds, start on blue squares and work your way up.
Yes, though it's worth knowing the layout. The main beginner area is at the top of the gondola in Mountain Village, not at the base. The Meadows zone provides gentle, wide-open terrain in a dedicated area away from faster skiers. Green runs like Galloping Goose offer a longer descent once you've built confidence. It's a welcoming mountain for first-timers, but the real variety kicks in at intermediate level and above.
Very much so. The free gondola makes logistics easy, the children's ski school is well regarded, and both the town and Mountain Village are safe, walkable environments. There's plenty to keep non-skiing family members entertained, and the dining scene is relaxed and family-friendly. The only consideration is altitude, since Telluride sits at 2,659m, you should take it easy on your first day.
Both are iconic Colorado destinations, but they feel quite different. Telluride is smaller, quieter, and has more of a community atmosphere. It's a real town first, resort second. Aspen has a larger ski area spread across four mountains and a more established luxury scene. Telluride's terrain is arguably more concentrated and dramatic, with serious expert skiing right above the town. If you prefer a lower-key, authentic mountain experience, Telluride is the one.
Telluride receives an average of around 300 inches (7.6m) of snowfall per season, which is solid for Colorado. The summit reaches 4,008m, so the upper mountain holds snow well even during warmer spells. Its season runs from late November to early April, with the best conditions typically from mid-December through March. The resort's south-facing orientation means plenty of sunshine, which is great for visibility but can soften lower slopes in spring.
There are no direct flights from the UK to Telluride. Most visitors fly into Denver (DEN) and drive or transfer from there, which takes around six to seven hours. Montrose (MTJ) is the closest airport at about 105km, with seasonal connections from some US hubs.
Relaxed and sociable rather than a high-energy party scene. Think craft breweries, live music in historic bars, and cocktails with a view rather than thumping club nights. It's a great scene if you enjoy conversation and atmosphere over volume. The Last Dollar Saloon and New Sheridan Bar are the local institutions, and Telluride Brewing Company is a must-visit for beer lovers.
Aspen - Beaver Creek - Deer Valley - Breckenridge - Keystone - Park City - Jackson Hole - Vail - Steamboat
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