Telluride is a fantastic base for outdoor adventures in the Colorado Rockies. This article provides a quick summary of what the Telluride area offers to visitors all year. While Telluride Ski Resort gets plenty of attention, and for good reason. But the town of Telluride and the nearby ski community of Mountain Village offer a wide variety of recreation options and attractions year round.
Ski in Telluride
Most vacationers immediately associate Telluride with downhill skiing and other winter sports. Telluride Ski Resort, which is actually in nearby Mountain Village, boast 127 runs on about 2,000 acres. Over half of the trails are suited to beginners or intermediate skiers. From roughly late November through late May winter sports enthusiasts can also snowboard and snow tube.
Ski Area Maps
As a ski resort, there are plenty of ways to buy or rent ski and snowboard equipment. At least one business – Black Tie Ski Rentals – advertises “high end” equipment available for rent. The area offers plenty to do instead of, or in addition to skiing.
Different seasons also bring different outdoor adventure options and events. The town has festivals of various kinds all year. Film lovers might enjoy Mountainfilm and the Telluride Film Festival, on Labor Day weekend. For music lovers, the city also hosts a bluegrass festival on the third weekend in June and the Telluride Blues & Brews Festival in September.
The Off Season in Telluride
Spring, Summer, and Fall belong to hikers and whitewater rafters. Anyone who enjoys the water will want to try out tubing, kayaking, and rafting. Telluride is next to the San Miguel River, where local businesses like Mild to Wide Rafting and Jeep Trail Tours offer rafting trips. The river is also a popular spot for tubing and kayaking in the summer.
Hiking, mountain biking, and ATV riding are popular activities. Visitors don’t even need their own vehicles. At least one company offers ATV tours. At least one area business either rents or sells mountain bikes.
Many miles of hiking trails snake through the edge of the valley and go up into the mountains. Trails like Bear Creek. Jud Wiebe, Black Bear, and Sneffels Highline offer hiking options of various lengths for visitors of different fitness levels. Beginners and hikers looking to test their endurance on long mountain hikes will find suitable trails that offer stunning scenery and the chance to encounter Rocky Mountain wildlife.
Things to do All Year
While Telluride might not be an upscale shopping destination, the town does offer some great shopping. Hit Main Street for the best shopping and dining. Telluride is one of the few cities in North America where you can take a gondola ride to the top of a mountain. The free gondola runs from just outside downtown Telluride to Mountain Village all year.
Take an afternoon to learn some area history at the Telluride Historical Museum. The old hospital has been turned into a museum dedicated to the area’s mining heritage. The museum is open all year.
Food and wine lovers will find plenty of interesting places to go in Telluride. There is a wine festival. The dining options range from burger and hot dog places to upscale sit-down restaurants that specialize in American or contemporary cuisine. Alfreds and 221 South Oak are great options for fine American and international cuisine, at fine dining prices. Some of the high-end restaurants take reservations; they may be a necessity during ski season.
Telluride Luxury Vacation Rental
A luxury vacation rental in or near the town offers easy access to Mountain Village and Telluride. Vacationers can usually find a number of upscale apartments and cottages for rent. As with any popular vacation destination, advanced planning is a necessity. At Exceptional Stays, we encourage potential visitors to reserve a rental property months in advance or to be very flexible about what part of the Telluride area they stay in.
A luxury vacation rental in Telluride ski area offers the perfect way to experience this fantastic area from a luxurious and warm apartment or cottage close to the area’s impressive variety of cultural activities and outdoor recreation opportunities. Plan well ahead though, because rentals during ski season will tend to go quickly.
