These 10 Resorts Have the Best Corduroy in the West
You don't have to worry about rough patches and death cookies at these resorts.
Could Telluride be one the prettiest spots on the planet? Its loyal fans think so. The resort’s setting at the terminus of a box canyon deep in Southern Colorado’s San Juan mountains lures many, but once they’re here, the many treasures of Telluride become apparent.
From downtown’s shop-lined Colorado Avenue to the ski resort’s knee-knocking terrain, skiers just plain love this place. Accolades for Charm and Scenery ring true, and there never seem to be any lines at the lift or at the bar. The benefits of a remote location. Thanks to its variety of terrain—from the hike-to lines on Palmyra Peak to steep, sustained bumps off Apex Lift to the endless groomer cruising offered off the Village Express, Telluride has everybody covered
(Photo: Visit Telluride)
With the town’s Western character attracting an inviting community of locals, Telluride is known for its hospitable lodging and top-notch dining; wake up with a coffee and from-scratch pastry from the historic Baked in Telluride and then finish your day with some affordable and flavorful Thai food with ambiance to boot at Siam.
Finally, by virtue of the free gondola shuttling people between Mountain Village and downtown, those seeking a hopping après and nightlife scene don’t leave disappointed.
Average Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
280″ | 2,000+ | 19 | 148 |
Telluride Ski Resort is on the Epic Pass. Epic Pass holders get 7 days at the resort, and 50 percent off of lift tickets thereafter. Telluride is not on the Epic Local Pass.
From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Telluride, Colo.
Chair 9 opened last February, so this winter will be the new lift’s full season. Chair 9 cuts the ride time to some of Telluride’s best intermediate and advanced terrain by half, from 14 to seven minutes.In town, new Japanese restaurant Kazahana adds to Telluride’s vibrant dining scene.
Telluride Distilling Company, tucked into the Mountain Village, is a cozy nook in which to sample the delicious cocktails made with its local whiskey and vodka.
The town ice hockey scene is legit. Catch a game at the Hanley rink downtown on most Fridays throughout the winter to see for yourself.
Black Iron Bowl’s hike-to terrain from the top of Lift 12 is accessed with anywhere from a 10- to 30-minute hike and rewards your efforts with a steep pitch and great views.
Located in town half a block from the gondola, 221 South Oak offers an upscale menu of international cuisine and an extensive wine list. The restaurant is built in an old home and has a cozy vibe (read: limited seating); make a reservation.
Rent skates and take a glide around the quaint outdoor skating rink downtown.
Go for endless views, a cocktail, and crêpes for under $20 at Bon Vivant.
Reset your legs at The Peaks Resort and Spa in Mountain Village.
There are lots of great options both in town and up in Mountain Village. The Madeline has a great slopeside location complete with a ski valet, full-service restaurant, and heated outdoor pool and hot tubs. In town, the historic Hotel Columbia is right across from the gondola and offers a mix of hotel rooms and roomier suites. The Dunton Town House is an absolutely charming five-bedroom B&B in the heart of downtown.
Accessible via gondola, Allred’s Restaurant is perched between town and mountain, and serves up contemporary American cuisine, fine wines, and breathtaking views. Be sure to get there before sundown.
Gorrono Ranch is the cafeteria-style mid-mountain stop for items such as pho, chili, burgers, and other quick skier fuel.
When the snowpack and ski patrol allow, hike the ridge-line towards Palmyra Peak, and drop into the Gold Hill Chutes. Steep, fast, and technical, and stupidly fun.
Could Telluride be one the prettiest spots on the planet? Its loyal fans think so. The resort’s setting at the terminus of a box canyon deep in Southern Colorado’s San Juan mountains lures many, but once they’re here, the many treasures of Telluride become apparent.
From downtown’s shop-lined Colorado Avenue to the ski resort’s knee-knocking terrain, skiers just plain love this place. Accolades for Charm and Scenery ring true, and there never seem to be any lines at the lift or at the bar. The benefits of a remote location. Thanks to its variety of terrain—from the hike-to lines on Palmyra Peak to steep, sustained bumps off Apex Lift to the endless groomer cruising offered off the Village Express, Telluride has everybody covered
With the town’s Western character attracting an inviting community of locals, Telluride is known for its hospitable lodging and top-notch dining; wake up with a coffee and from-scratch pastry from the historic Baked in Telluride and then finish your day with some affordable and flavorful Thai food with ambiance to boot at Siam.
Finally, by virtue of the free gondola shuttling people between Mountain Village and downtown, those seeking a hopping après and nightlife scene don’t leave disappointed.
Average Snowfall | Acres | Lifts | Trails |
280″ | 2,000+ | 19 | 148 |
Telluride Ski Resort is on the Epic Pass. Epic Pass holders get 7 days at the resort, and 50 percent off of lift tickets thereafter. Telluride is not on the Epic Local Pass.
From lodging and and dining to off-slope activities and local tips, here are the SKI editors’ picks for what to do in Telluride, Colo.
Chair 9 opened last February, so this winter will be the new lift’s full season. Chair 9 cuts the ride time to some of Telluride’s best intermediate and advanced terrain by half, from 14 to seven minutes.In town, new Japanese restaurant Kazahana adds to Telluride’s vibrant dining scene.
Telluride Distilling Company, tucked into the Mountain Village, is a cozy nook in which to sample the delicious cocktails made with its local whiskey and vodka.
The town ice hockey scene is legit. Catch a game at the Hanley rink downtown on most Fridays throughout the winter to see for yourself.
Black Iron Bowl’s hike-to terrain from the top of Lift 12 is accessed with anywhere from a 10- to 30-minute hike and rewards your efforts with a steep pitch and great views.
Located in town half a block from the gondola, 221 South Oak offers an upscale menu of international cuisine and an extensive wine list. The restaurant is built in an old home and has a cozy vibe (read: limited seating); make a reservation.
Rent skates and take a glide around the quaint outdoor skating rink downtown.
Go for endless views, a cocktail, and crêpes for under $20 at Bon Vivant.
Reset your legs at The Peaks Resort and Spa in Mountain Village.
There are lots of great options both in town and up in Mountain Village. The Madeline has a great slopeside location complete with a ski valet, full-service restaurant, and heated outdoor pool and hot tubs. In town, the historic Hotel Columbia is right across from the gondola and offers a mix of hotel rooms and roomier suites. The Dunton Town House is an absolutely charming five-bedroom B&B in the heart of downtown.
Accessible via gondola, Allred’s Restaurant is perched between town and mountain, and serves up contemporary American cuisine, fine wines, and breathtaking views. Be sure to get there before sundown.
Gorrono Ranch is the cafeteria-style mid-mountain stop for items such as pho, chili, burgers, and other quick skier fuel.
When the snowpack and ski patrol allow, hike the ridge-line towards Palmyra Peak, and drop into the Gold Hill Chutes. Steep, fast, and technical, and stupidly fun.
You don't have to worry about rough patches and death cookies at these resorts.
If you're going to choose a resort based on its after-dark activity, these ski areas are a great place to start.
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Don't even think about ordering a Bud when there are locally inspired brews to be had at your favorite ski town this season.
Telluride Ski Resort becomes the first U.S. ski area to include complimentary injury insurance with its lift tickets.
Everyone wants legs of steel as soon as the chairlifts begin turning. But in order to get there, it’s time to start putting in the work now.
Via ferrata climbing routes are growing in popularity in the U.S., including a brand-new one opening this summer at one legendary Colorado ski area.
No ski vacation is complete without a proper après soak, and the soothing waters of these ski-country spring-fed pools are worth the drive.
Check out Keri Bascetta's author page.
A program helping backcountry users work together in avalanche terrain is taking off across the American West.
You don't have the squeeze back into your ski boots for all of these, but you might have to loosen a button on your ski pants the next morning.
Would you rather win a regional Emmy or have a beer named after you? The Snow Report Show now has both thanks to a collab with Telluride Brewing.
Ski destinations are launching appealing amenities that turn the pandemics' new norms into novel forms of fun.
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Telluride Ski Resorts punches way larger than its 2,000 acres thanks to big hikes, bigger vert, and really big views.
Our top picks for lodging options in town and on the mountain.
Day off? Make it day on with these down-day activities.
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From extreme steeps to top-to-bottom groomers, these are the 10 resorts in the West with diverse enough terrain to please all comers.
Who books a ski vacation based on scenery alone? Folks who’ve been to Telluride, that’s who.
A professional drone pilot explores Colorado and Utah with the Dynastar Factory Team.
Backcountry partners with Gus Kenworthy to spread the message of inclusivity in the outdoors.
For skiers who prefer the finer things, these are the Top 10 ski resorts to be pampered at this winter.
Got some non-skiers in your crew? These are the Top 10 ski resorts with something for everyone.
Cody Townsend checks off his 18th line of the Fifty Project.
Nestled deep into the San Juan Mountains, Telluride offers a full 365 degrees of awesome in the summer.
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Three Salomon athletes let Instagram decide their fates across the Centennial State.
It starts on the slopes and ends—often with a thump—on the sidewalk
The U.S. freeskier knows a thing or two about travel, and is sharing intel on his favorite spots.
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The season when learning to ski becomes living to ski.
Ski towns confront the affordable-housing crisis
One skier’s journey around the world (in his mind, just to clarify)
Once the first chairlift started spinning in 1972, Telluride became the ultimate ski town. And that’s one reason we love it.
Here are the ski resorts with the best on-mountain food, because brown bagging doesn't always cut it.
Because after a good day on the mountain, it's your right to celebrate with a drink.
Find your ski pass for next season—and the best deals—here.
It’s like a mini Chamonix, only (a little bit) easier to get to.
Where to ski, find ghost bears, and relish funky mountain culture along Colorado’s U.S. Highway 550.
A married, father of three kids chose to pursue a post-SEAL career as a professional skier after a 17-year hiatus from the mountains
The 35th Annual Mountainfilm Festival takes place Friday, May 24, to Monday, May 27, in Telluride, Colorado.
The 35th Annual Mountainfilm Festival takes place Friday, May 24 to Monday, May 27 in Telluride, Colorado. Be there.
An impromptu vision quest to Southwest Colorado.
Like a fine wine, these bars get better with age.
Historically, one of the most popular ways of describing a fat storm is “puking.” The lexicons of both acts include “chunder.”
For the 25th year, you—the experts—dropped the gavel on your favorite resorts, weighing in on everything from terrain to snow to apres-ski. We've tallied your votes. Herewith, the results.
Escape the city smog and visit one of Colorado’s most authentic mountain towns – Telluride. Fly-fishing, summer skiing and groovy festivals are just the tip of the iceberg in the endless list of outdoor adventures to be had here.
Escape the city smog and visit one of Colorado’s most authentic mountain towns – Telluride. Fly-fishing, summer skiing and groovy festivals are just the tip of the iceberg in the endless list of outdoor adventures to be had here.
Escape the city smog and visit one of Colorado’s most authentic mountain towns.
It isn’t the alps, but it sure feels like it. Big mountain. Quaint village. Great food. The works.
A new Telluride brewery continues an old tradition: Good beer for thirsty skiers.
Memorial Day Weekend means that filmmakers, athletes, and artists congregate in Telluride for the Mountainfilm festival. These are the movies, skiing-related and otherwise, that ywe're most excited to see.
Memorial Day Weekend means that filmmakers, athletes, and artists congregate in Telluride for the Mountainfilm festival. These are the movies, skiing-related and otherwise, that you should be the most excited to see.
With the extra sunlight thanks to springing forward, many resorts have extended their hours of operation.
A real estate speculator and his company Gold Hill Development Co have purchased mining claims in Telluride’s Bear Creek and banned public use on the property. That means no skiing in one of Telluride’s premier backcountry areas.
This family-friendly diner-style restaurant specializes in all types of sweets, as well as a variety of burgers, salads, and hot dogs.
Revive your chapped face at this Telluride spa.
Stop at the St. Sophia Nature Center located at the top of the gondola before any of your outdoor adventures.
Dining at Allred’s is a unique experience with an award winning wine list and culinary excellence, all at almost 11,000 feet.
Book a snowshoeing tour to explore Telluride Ski Resort in a whole new way.
Choose either a half- or full-day experience in the San Miguel or Uncompahgre River.
Get some exercise while having fun with friends and family in the San Juan Mountains.
Aroma Spa’s focus is to serve each guest like they are a local.
An exclusive, intimate boutique-style spa that uses ancient beauty and holistic healing techniques combined with proven scientific treatments.
It’s a space to merge your mind and body, while enjoying nature on your path to overall wellbeing.
Smuggler’s Brewpub offers handcrafted ales and lagers to drink with your delicious pub meal.
Serving rich, smoky coffee that is slow roasted and smoked locally, The Steaming Bean can set you up with your early morning fix and breakfast.
Locally owned, all ingredients are organic and grown in the region.
Located in the New Sheridan Hotel, the Chop House Restaurant specializes in dry aged USDA prime steaks and seafood flown in daily.
This historic theater hosts around 50 concerts each year, and can also be rented out for weddings and private parties.
Skiers flock to this formers shepherding hut.
A downtown hotel with a decidedly New West feel.
Escape the typical mountain lunch fare at this on-mountain eatery.
Try cooking your own homemade gourmet meal in your kitchen's suite using the Inn's "cook-along menus."