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Winter Is Coming - And We Can't Wait!
Summer 2021 came and went and now we are preparing for an epic winter on the mountain. We are SO ready to get some powder turns and we hope you can do the same. In addition to skiing, there are so many other activities and events worth checking out this winter – and we have you covered below.
This is also a friendly reminder that the gondola is currently closed for routine winter maintenance and is slated to re-open on November 19 for the season.
If you are planning a trip to Telluride this winter, we’d love to catch a run or take a look at property with you. Just let us know when!
Telluride Ski Resort
Ready, set, ski! The Telluride Ski Resort is set to open for the season on November 25, 2021. Whether you are a beginner or experienced skier, there is something for you at the top-rated Telluride Ski Resort.
Need any recommendations about the best runs on the mountain? Asa and Shimmy are avid skiers and can show you the ropes on any expert terrain.
Can’t wait to get on the mountain? Get your ticket or ski pass now! Adult single-day tickets start at $162, while kids’ tickets start at $80. Full-season passes start at $2,475 for adults and children start at $715.
Click here to purchase lift tickets or click here to purchase a season pass.
Starting in 2021-22, the Telluride Ski Resort is offering Spot Injury Insurance for all passes and tickets. This insurance company offers $25,000 worth of coverage for skiers injured on the mountain – with no deductible.
Additionally, the Telluride Ski Resort offers Ski Pass Insurance for 7% of your ski pass price. This is for unexpected events that no longer allow you to use your ski pass.
Click here for more information about insurance.
The Telluride Ski Resort offers 127 runs over 2,000 acres that is accessed by 18 different lifts. There truly is something for everyone – 23% of the park is beginner, 36% is intermediate and 41% is advanced/expert. Plus, there are event multiple dining options on the mountain, hike-tos, and three terrain parks. Count us in.
Shimmy’s Favorite Runs: Anything on Lift #6 (Cabin Slide aka A to Z Trees to Chongo’s/Giant Steps), Logpile to West Drain to LP. Favorite Groomer: See Forever to Milk Run to Cimarron.
Asa’s Favorite Runs: Gold Hill Chutes
Anna’s Favorite Run: Polar Queen
Click here for a full-size Telluride Ski Resort map.
Looking for an extra thrill on the mountain? Our friends at Telluride Helitrax offer some amazing backcountry adventures via helicopter. These tours typically include six runs (totaling 10,000-14,000 vertical feet), lunch, and memories that last a lifetime.
Do you have a young shredder you want to get acquainted with the mountain, or an adult learning to ski or snowboard? The Telluride Ski Resort Ski School offers private and group classes that can be customized to any skill level.
Winter Activities in Telluride
Telluride is so much more than just an epic ski resort. Whether you are an outdoor junkie or want a chill family activity, there are so many activities worth checking out. Take a peek at some of our favorite activities below.
It’s not something just seen in the movies – you can actually go dog sledding in Telluride! Our friends at Wintermoon Dog Adventures have been serving up dog sledding fun with their team of huskies in the San Juans since 1993.
Click here to read more about it.
Fat biking is a great way to get around town or to explore the valley on two wheels. Whether you want to just cruise down Main Street or ride on the Valley Floor, fat biking is a fun way to spend the day off from skiing.
Box Canyon Bicycles offers rentals for anyone visiting town. Click here for more information.
Telluride and its surrounding areas offer some of the best ice climbing in the region. For beginners, there are low-angle ice flows and guided tours, and for the more advanced ice climbers, Telluride is home to the tallest free-falling waterfall, Bridal Veil Falls, Cornet Creek Falls, and other challenging waterfalls. Ouray is also home to the Ouray Ice Park, which is a free ice park with more than three miles of vertical terrain.
Guided tours are offered through Mountain Trip, San Juan Outdoor Adventures and Telluride Mountain Guides.
Looking for more tips? Allison has gone ice climbing before and can share her insight.
Ice skating is the perfect family activity in the winter! Mountain Village offers daily open skate at the rink outside of the Madeline with skate rentals for an additional fee. Click here for more details.
Additionally, the Hanley Ice Rink in Telluride’s Town Park offers open skate, team hockey, and more. There’s even an outdoor rink at the volleyball court and core area, both open to the public. Rentals are available at the Nordic Center in Town Park. Click here for more information on the Telluride ice rinks.
For those who don’t enjoy the adrenaline of downhill skiing, nordic skiing is a great alternative. The Nordic Center in Town Park offers rentals, lessons, clinics and more.
The Nordic Center also grooms trails daily at Priest Lake, Trout Lake, the River Trail, Valley Floor and Town Park. Click here for a full breakdown of all of the groomed trails.
Mountain Village and the Telluride Ski Resort also offer groomed trails. Click here for Mountain Village’s trail maps.
This is one activity worth checking out while in Telluride this winter! Enjoy a winter sleigh ride to the historic Aldasoro Ranch sheep camp for dinner at one of the most scenic spots in Telluride. Plus, the food is some of the best around!
All tours are currently private. Click here for more information or to make a reservation.
Snowmobiling is a great way to explore the mountains surrounding Telluride that wouldn’t otherwise be accessible during the winter months. Tours vary from beginner half-day tours to full-day experienced rides. There are even overnight trips!
For trips to Alta Lakes, Dunton Hot Springs or Barlow Creek, contact Telluride Outfitters. For Beaver Creek or Lone Cone trips, contact Telluride Outside.
Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the snow with the help of snowshoes. Snowshoeing is a great way to explore the San Juans and soak in the silence of the woods while taking in the views. Snowshoers are also invited to use groomed trails but are encouraged to walk on the edge of the trail, opposite of classic ski tracks. Rentals are available at the Nordic Center in Town Park.
Mountain Village and Telluride both offer snowshoeing trails, and the Telluride Ski Resort also offers tours through the Adventure Center. Click here for more details on tours.
Festivals & Events
Winter may not have as many festivals as the summer, but it’s still a great time to visit Telluride! From Fire Fest to holiday festivities, there are plenty of activities that will keep the holiday cheer all winter long. Check out a few of the events below!
An ode to Burning Man, this winter event is an interactive experience of fire artistry. From December 3-5, 2021, enjoy live performances, a Fire Ball, theatrical performances, music, and so much more.
Get ready for seam-splitting laughter at this fan-favorite event. Held every year over President’s Day weekend, it has featured comedians like Nick Kroll, Ed Helms, Thomas Middleditch, Natasha Leggero, Moshe Kasher, Jason Mantzoukas, Paul Scheer and many more.
*This event is not yet confirmed for 2021. Please check back for dates and more event information*
Get in the holiday spirit with Telluride’s annual Noel Night. This festive evening takes place after Thanksgiving every year and features the beloved ski tree lighting, discounts at shops, and plenty of cheer.
Getting Here
It just keeps getting easier and easier to get to Telluride! New this year, Denver Air is offering daily flights from Phoenix in addition to daily flights from Denver. Additionally, Montrose (1:15 away) offers direct flights from Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, Phoenix and San Francisco.
Click here for the full schedule or check out more below!
Where to Stay
There’s no bad place to stay in Telluride, but it definitely makes a difference during ski season when you’re trying to get first chair. Whether you prefer to be ski-in/ski-out on the mountain or close to restaurants, we know the best spots around.
Mountain Village is home to the heart of the Telluride Ski Resort in the winter, which makes Mountain Village a great spot for anyone looking to ski regularly. The Mountain Village Core is built around Lift #4 and the gondola, with an abundance of dining, shopping and restaurants available for anyone staying there. There are plenty of condos and large townhomes in the core available to rent through Accommodations in Telluride, but limited standalone homes. Hotels include the Madeline, Inn at Lost Creek, and the Franz Klammer.
For anyone looking for a large standalone home to host a large family or gathering, there are plenty in Mountain Village located along the ski slopes. While they might not be within walking distance to anything, the ski access is bar none.
If you’re looking for old historic charm and easy access to three lifts that access the mountain, Telluride is the spot for you.
The Cimarron Lodge, Hotel Columbia and Camel’s Garden offer ski-in/ski-out access, while most places in town are just a short walk to the lifts. Amazing vacation rentals are available from Lodging in Telluride and Accommodations in Telluride. Additionally, the free Galloping Goose bus circles town and can easily drop you off at the base of any of the lifts.
Need other suggestions about where to stay? Simply ask!
COVID-19 in Telluride
While Telluride is completely open, we aren’t out of the woods yet with the pandemic. Masks are required at all indoor spaces for anyone over the age of two, including the gondola. However, they may be removed for eating/drinking and identity verification.
Click here to read more about the current COVID policies in Telluride.
