Telluride Gondola Rides: The Key to Getting Around Town

Those vacationing in America tend to find the same boring options available for public transportation in every state. While there's nothing wrong with rental cars, taxicabs, buses, and subway trains, these methods of travel often become a bit tiresome. Fortunately, stunning Telluride, Colorado, offers something wonderfully unique when it comes to your transportation needs. Leave all those boring public transportation options behind during your Box Canyon stay and embrace gondola rides - the key to getting around Mountain Village and Telluride.

Telluride-Mountain Village Gondola System | Free & Unique

New and returning visitors are encouraged to enjoy this excellent transportation system that is a first-of-its-kind in the United States. A phenomenal 13-minute free gondola ride bridges the neighboring towns of Telluride and Mountain Village. You and yours will journey between both towns via a scenic ride sky-high, looking down on Mother Nature from 10,500 feet! Every ride is completely free of charge and pollution, keeping our mountain air clean.

You may hear it being called the "G" as folks discuss their plans to ride the main gondola from town to Mountain Village and vice versa. You can use the second gondola for short trips between Mountain Village core and the parking station a few yards down. Locals lovingly refer to the third special mode of transportation as a chondola, combining "gondola" and "chairlift." The chondola is located at the base of Meadows ski run, allowing travelers to ride into Mountain Village so they can connect with the rest of the system.

The main gondola allows riders to travel back and forth between Telluride and Mountain Village with ease. During your 13-minute journey, you'll enjoy a bird's-eye view of the town below and spectacular 360-degree views of the San Juan Mountains. The second gondola is located just a few yards from the main gondola, and you may use this one for the short trip between the Mountain Village core and the Mountain Village Market and parking station. The chondola is located at the base of the Meadows ski run, and this is used to ride into Mountain Village so that you can connect with the rest of the gondola system. 

Only in Telluride will you find this incredible form of public transportation that takes you on a beautiful ride high above the town. The entire system is made up of two gondolas and a special mode of transportation that is locally referred to as a chondola, which is a combination chairlift and gondola. Each ride is completely free of charge, and it's a wonderful pollution-free option that helps keep the mountain air clean and clear.

Telluride Gondola Schedule

The Telluride Gondola runs daily from 6:30 a.m. to midnight during the summer and winter. The schedule is extended during special events, such as festivals or other popular activities, to ensure everyone makes it home safely! Please note: The gondola is closed for late spring/fall maintenance and will reopen on Thursday, May 26. Chondola rides are only available during the regular ski season.

Whether you’re staying in a Mountain Village lodge or downtown Telluride vacation rental from Exceptional Stays, the gondola system gives you easy access to everything the charming towns have to offer, like skiing, hiking/biking trails, shopping, and restaurants. Accessible and pet-friendly cabins are available; ask the friendly gondola attendants for assistance. They can help you load any equipment and assist with boarding. Get ready to travel green with us locals and to make your trip exceptional. 

The gondola has three primary stations where you can board and unload:

  • Station Telluride (Oak Street) – access in Telluride.
  • Station St. Sophia (mid-mountain stop) – access to Allred’s Restaurant & Bar, The Ridge Club, and ski resort trails and runs.
  • Station Mountain Village – access in Mountain Village.
  • Just across from Station Mountain Village, a shorter gondola stretch connects to Station Village Parking, where the free parking garage, Town Hall, and the Mountain Market are located.

Travel Green with the Gondola System

Whether you're staying in a Mountain Village or Telluride vacation rental from Exceptional Stays, the gondola system gives you easy access to everything the charming towns have to offer, like skiing, hiking/biking trails, shopping, and restaurants. Accessible and pet-friendly cabins are available; ask the friendly gondola attendants for assistance. They can help you load any equipment and assist with boarding. Get ready to travel green with us locals and to make your trip exceptional.

Gondola Perks

The gondola system allows you to easily enjoy everything that both Telluride and Mountain Village have to offer regardless of which area your preferred vacation home is located. Many people like to repeatedly ride back and forth simply to enjoy the view and spot wildlife below, and you'll also find easy access to skiing, hiking trails, restaurants, and shopping. 

This safe mode of transportation is made even better by the presence of gondola attendants who are friendly and professional. They're happy to assist you with the loading of strollers, skis, and mountain bikes, and you'll have access to pet-friendly cabins if you've brought the family dog along for your vacation. The gondola also features cabins for the handicapped, and these are large enough to accommodate full-sized wheelchairs and other types of medical equipment. 

We know the San Juan Mountains have been calling out to you, tempting you with the perfect balance of elegance and rustic luxury. Telluride and Mountain Village are unmatched, unforgettable, and exceptional vacation destinations. Our mountain communities transport locals and visitors a world away to remote bliss in tucked-away seclusion. Elevate your vacation experience in Telluride with the best luxury house rentals from Exceptional Stays! We are your knowledgeable, experienced local team dedicated to helping you plan the perfect getaway for your family and friends.

Book your one-of-a-kind stay with us online today!