Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!
The snow showed up early this year – our peaks were covered in October and it has us so excited for everything that winter brings in Telluride! This year, Santa Claus is bringing our town a new Lift #9, which is expected to be a high-speed quad with shortened travel times.
In addition to the Telluride Ski Resort, there are so many other great activities and events to check out this winter – but don’t worry, we have you covered! Check out some of our great winter highlights below.
Psst: Don’t forget the gondola closes October 17 for seasonal maintenance and will re-open for the winter season on November 18.
Telluride Ski Resort
Get ready to hit the mountain! Tickets for the 2022-23 season are available now. Single-day passes start at $162 for adults and $119 for kids, and full-season passes start at $2,600 for adults and $735 for kids.
Click here for single-day passes and click here for full season passes.
Once you ski at Telluride, you’ll never ski anywhere else!
The region receives on average more than 300 inches of snow annually and offers more than 2,000 skiable acres for all ability level. While the difficult runs are some of the most intense in-bounds terrain out there, there are also plenty of beginner trails perfect for all ability levels.
Click here for a full-size map of the Telluride Ski Resort.
The amazing team at the Telluride Ski Resort has been working hard all summer to get Lift #9 replaced for this winter! It is expected to open in the middle of December and we can’t wait to cruise laps on Kant-Mak-M, Spiral Stairs and Mammoth.
The new quad high-speed lift, is manufactured by Doppelmayr and expected to be twice as fast as the old lift. The ski resort is also digging trenches on See Forever for the new power lines and will be replacing the snowmaking piping, which is near the end of its useful life. The top of 9, which is almost all solid rock, will be lowered approximately 15 feet so there is enough room for the new terminal and increased skier capacity.
Click here for the most recent updates about the project.
Want to cruise the mountain like the pros? Take lessons at the Telluride Ski School! They offer everything from adult beginner and intermediate lessons to children’s lessons. Choose from private or group lessons and customize your pass to include rentals and a lift ticket.
Click here for more information about taking skiing lessons in Telluride.
Outdoor Activities
Not into the thrill of downhill skiing? No problem. There are an abundance of nordic trails in Telluride and the surrounding areas for your enjoyment. Plus, the Nordic Center in Town Park offers rentals, lessons, clinics and more.
Click here for more information about our local cross-country trail system and rentals.
Yes, you can actually dog sled in Telluride! Idarado Sled Dog Adventures was originally started in 1993 as Wintermoon Sled Dog Adventures, and the owners’ children are continuing the family tradition under a new name. Reservations are available now; be sure to book your spot on these 2.5-hour adventures.
Click here for more information or to reserve your spot.
Why walk around town when you can cruise the streets on a fat bike? With extra-wide tires built for weather and mud, fat biking is ideal for those slushy winter days. Cruise down Main Street or rent a bike for the day and go on a valley floor adventure!
Box Canyon Bicycles has fat bikes available for rent. Click here for more information.
Sure, the Telluride Ski Resort has plenty to offer, but have you ever heli-skiied in the San Juans? Heli-skiing takes you up and above the typical ski runs via helicopter with a skilled guide. Tours typically include six runs, lunch, and the adventure of a lifetime. Click here for more details about taking a heli-tour with our friends at Telluride Helitrax.
For more information about what it’s like to heli-ski, click here.
Looking to get some vertical? Telluride and its surrounding areas offer some of the best ice climbing in the region. Telluride is home to beginner and advanced (think the tallest free-falling waterfall in the Colorado) waterfalls, and Ouray, only a short drive away, has a free ice climbing park.
Guided tours are offered through Mountain Trip, San Juan Outdoor Adventures and Telluride Mountain Guides.
Looking for a great winter family activity? There is plenty of ice skating in Telluride!
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.
The Hanley Ice Rink in Telluride’s Town Park also 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.
Explore the mountains surrounding Telluride on the back of a snowmobile. 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.
Soak in the beauty of winter with the help of snowshoes! Snowshoers are permitted 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 and click here for a map.
Festivals & Events
Things are about to get hot in Telluride! This ole to Burning Man is Telluride’s take on fire in the mountains. The 8th annual event, which will be held from December 2-4, 2022, will feature epic installations, classes, workshops, dinners and so much more.
Click here for more information or to purchase tickets.
Get ready for giggles galore! This local-favorite event features four nights of hilarity over Presidents’ Day weekend every year. The 23rd annual event will be held February 16-19, 2023, and the lineup will be announced in January.
Click here to see past performers or to buy tickets.
‘Tis the season! Get into the holiday spirit with Telluride’s Noel Night and Holiday Prelude. This fun event takes place after Thanksgiving every year and features amazing discounts at local shops, the beloved ski tree lighting, and so much more.
Click here for more information.
Getting to Telluride
Luckily for you, it has never been easier to get to Telluride! With non-stop and year-round flights into Montrose Airport, you will be here in no time. Click here for the full schedule or check out more information about our local airports below.
The Telluride Airport is the quickest and easiest way to get to Telluride! It’s a quick 10-minute drive to town (be sure to book a shuttle in advance here). Denver Air Connection offers daily commercial flights into Telluride from Denver, so after just one simple stop in Denver, you can find yourself in Telluride! Flights are definitely more reasonable than you’d think – and the landing is QUITE cool (be sure to have your camera ready).
Click here for more information about flying into the Telluride Airport.
The Montrose Airport is the closest major airport to Telluride. The drive, which takes approximately one hour and 20 minutes, is beautiful and scenic and will definitely take longer when you stop for photos. Southwest, United, American, and Delta all have select flights into this airport from major cities.
Shuttle services and car rentals are available at Montrose, which is currently under construction and expanding to make additional terminals and parking.
Click here for more information about the Montrose Airport.
Want to catch some powder or grab a drink on the mountain? Just let us know! We’d love to see you this winter. Can’t make it and just want to stay up-to-date on everything going on in Telluride? Follow us on Instagram! Pray for snow and we will see you this winter.