USA Telluride Ski Holidays

Telluride old town is very traditional with western grid style streets and offers anything from locals bars to elegant fine dining establishments. The other lodging option is Telluride Mountain Village which offers slopeside convenience but without the western character of the old town. Both are connected by the free gondola which runs until late in the evening.

Skiing in Telluride

The Good (ski) Book says that you can't beat Telluride on a powder day - it is full of hard core skiers and it would be impossible to ignore the buzz and stay in bed after first lift. So get up early - ride Chair Nine and enjoy 2,500 feet of vertical, virtual heaven. Espresso might work for most people in the morning but here those in need of an early morning hit head for Kant-mak-m - when you order a 'Double Black' in Telluride this is what you get. If this has done the trick and you are now feeling limber - how about a hike? From the Prospect Bowl a five minute hike will open up to four outstanding runs - Genevieve, La Rosa, Crystal and the less strenuous Confidence - with a bit of luck you will have them to yourself. Still not enough then Telluride has heaps of backcountry skiing, officially there is 1,855 acres of skiable terrain, but the backcountry is limitless. The two main access points are either left off Chair 12, Prospect Bowl or Chair 14, Gold Hill - don't even think of going without a guide.

It's not all hiking and displays of machismo here - it is entirely possible to fulfil your ski fantasy without going near a black run. Wend your way to Chair 6, and with a smirk in the direction of those lugging themselves off in the direction of glory, clip on and soar down Woozley's Way, left onto Palmyra, followed by Cake Walk and finally Boomerang. You will have just enjoyed over 2,400 feet of vertical - not interrupted by catwalks and complicated links - just pure pleasure.

Beginners will feel similarly tickled and delighted by their lot at Telluride. The Mountain Village area is surrounded by greens; Meadows & Village Bypass are as gentle as it gets. After a day or so there are longer greens like Double Cabin and San Joaquin, accessed from Holy Cow chair, on which to practise newly acquired skills.