Visit Site - Wander With Wonder

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Colorado is a town unlike any other. The reI
"Urrrue,
mote haven is nestled in a box canyon surrounded by the spectacular 14,000-foot peaks of the San Juan Mountains.
Thousands of years ago, the Ute Indians spent summers in
Telluride, amid majestic peaks, breathtaking sandstone cliffs and
crystal clear blue skies. By the 1870s, the little town had filled up
with miners searching the nearby mountains for gold and silver.
When one of those miners packed out $10,000 in gold ore from the
Sheridan Mine in one year, the rush was on and the town's population skyrocketed to over 5,000. By the end of World War I when silver prices crashed, Telluride began to disappear' The town had all
but died in 1972-with fewer than 600 residents-when a group of
locals decided to cash in on the legendary powder that falls on Telluride each year. Today the town, recognized as a National Historic
Landmark, is alive with ski enthusiasts in the winter months and
a bevy of festivals throughout the glorious summer days.
Exploring Telluride
Telluride is really two towns: the historic downtown and the
Mountain Village at the base of the ski resort. Victorian-era architecture dominates the quaint downtown, which remains one of the
few resort areas in the country with no chain restaurants or shops.
You can park your car and hop on the free shuttle bus that runs
through town.
The Mountain Village, located at the base of the ski mountain,
was founded in 1987 and combines European-alpine architectule
with the rustic style of the Colorado Rockies. You'll find homes.
luxury hotels and condominiums with front-door access to the
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ski slopes, along with stylish boutiques
and fine dining establishments.
Getting between town and the mountain village is one of the unique features
of Telluride. Ten years ago, Telluride installed a free gondola system that whisks
visitors across peaks 10,000-feet high on
its 13-minute ride between historic down-
town and the quaint alpine ski village.
The gondola is open daily from 7 a.m. to
midnight and even welcomes pets in designated pet cars.
A Winter Wonderlond
Telluride winters create a fairytale
winter wonderland. Stepping outside on a
crisp winter morning following a night's
snowfall can only be truly experienced
in the high Colorado Rockies. The quiet
hush from the blanket of white will make
even the most harried visitor stop to take
in the beauty. Nowhere else on earth will
you find that magical mixture of blue sky,
majestic mountains, crisp air and champagne powder.
Telluride's most famous winter activity is skiing at the Telluride Ski Resort.
Often voted "the most beautiful place
you'll ever ski," the Telluride ski mountain offers an adventure on skis for all
experience levels. While experts will find
their thrills on the challenging slopes at
the east end of the mountain, beginners
will enjoy the gentle western slopes and
gradually find their way to the intermediate areas mid-mountain.
One unusual aspect of the Telluride ski area is that
even beginner and intermediate skiers can enjoy skiing
from the highest peaks--something usually only available to expert skiers. One of the best skiing experiences
is to head out at dawn on a day with fresh snow to enjoy
the waist-deep powder and cut tracks down the pristine
mountainside.
Today's ski resort offers 16 lifts and 84 trails and the
highest point is on Gold Hill, where you'll ski from the
12,260-foot summit. You can get spectacular 360-degree
views ofthe entire ski area from atop the gondola.
Even those who don't ski will find a plethora of winter
fun in Telluride. You'll find such activities as snow biking, snowshoe tours, tubing on Thrill Hill, Nordic skiing,
sleigh rides and more.
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PHOTO BY GUS GUSCIORCA
Snow biking is definitely an unforgettable activity.
The bike rests on two skis instead of wheels and riders
strap snow blades to their feet for balance. You'll also
want to save time for tubing down Thrill Hill, open for
thrill seekers from 2:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through
Sunday. For contact information on winter events, visit
wwwVisitTelluride.com.
Summers in Telluride
While winters are what make Telluride famous,
summers are unforgettable in the pristine valley. Locals will tell you, "I came for the winter, but I stayed
for the summers." The towering mountains, still snow
capped against the bright summer sky, offer a magnificent backdrop to the multitude of festivals happening
throughout the summer months.
Telluride offers at least one festival each weekend
during the summer, making it the festival capital of the
Southwest. Some of the famed festivals include:
. Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Four days in
late June with rousing bluegrass-based music'
Past artists include Alison Krauss, Earl Scruggs,
Bela Fleck, Sam Bush, Yonder Mountain String
Band, Bare Naked Ladies, Bonnie Raitt and more'
Contact 800.624.2422 for more information.
. Telluride Film Festival.
Each Labor Day
into a Mecca for
transforms
Telluride
weekend,
total cinematic
days
of
four
film enthusiasts with
year
is different-and no one
immersion. Every
knows the program until the festival begins. Con-
tact 510.665.9494.
.Telluride Wine Festival. In mid-June each
year, the hottest chefs, wineries and sommeliers gather to celebrate the wonderful world of
food and wine. For more information, contact
970.728.3t78.
.Telluride Blues and Brews Festival. During
these three days in mid-September, blues legends
such as B.B. King, Allman Brothers and more perform live in Town Park. You'll also enjoy late night
jams in the local joints. Saturday's Grand Tasting
features 50 microbreweries serving up their handcrafted brews. For information, call 866.515.6166.
. Balloon Festival. Every June, the skies above
Town Park fill with colorful hot-air balloons dur-
ing the weekend festival. At sunset, Telluride's
main street is the setting for the annual balloon
glow. Contact
97 0.7
28.47 69.
. Wild West Fest.
Every June, this festival celebrates the spirit of the Old West with events for
the whole family, from celebrity horseback events
to performances at the Sheridan Opera House.
Call 97 0.7 28.6363 for more information.
. Telluride Jazz Celebration. Join jazz per'
formers every August for music in Town Park by
day and scattered throughout town in intimate
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OPPOSITE PAGE:An
eclectic mix of over fifly
bors ond restouronts
helps moke Telluride o
greot ploce to get out
for the evening. LEFT:
Ihere ore o voriely of
winter diversions for
those who don't wont
to hit the slopes.
each
ture
t, Present and fuIt features Nobel
laureates, Internet pioneers, science leaders and
demonstrations. Call 970.928.7000 for more information.
When you aren't enjoying one of the great festi
vals, you'll find plenty more to keep you busy during
the summer. Telluride offers some of the best hiking,
mountain-biking, horseback riding and golfing any-
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where. The Telluride Golf Course, a par 71, 6,78gyard, lS-hole mountain resort course, was constructed
in 1992. For more information on summer activities,
visit wwwVisitTelluride.com.
Where to Dine
Although best known for its world-class skiing,
and increasingly for the summer festivals, Telluride is
quickly making a name for itself as a culinary gem.
There are no chains in Telluride. Every restaurant is
one-of-a-kind, usually owner- or chef-run and within
walking distance of the free shuttle or gondola. Many
of the restaurants feature locally grown meats, organic
fruits and vegetables, and fresh fish from nearby lakes
and streams.
Telluride Ski esor
. 84 troils
. 16 lifts
I
. 30 kilomeiers of Nordic troils
. 24%beginner terroin
. 38% intermediote terroin
. 38% odvonced/expert terroin
. 3,530 fl. verticol drop
.8,725 ft. bose
. 12,260
ft. summit
. 204 ocres snowmoking
. 21,186 people uphill
. 1,700 ocres skioble
. 309 inches
You might try The Cosmopolitan located in the
Hotel Columbia. The Cosmopolitan serves dinner
nightly and features fresh-baked breads and pastries
to complement chef Chad Scothorn's internationally
influenced American fare. There's an exceptional tasting cellar where patrons can sample small portions of
French cuisine paired with exquisite wines.
If you prefer a romantic rendezvous, try Rustico,
an authentic Italian ristorante with an award winning wine list. The outdoor patio is great for summer
evenings.
One of the most spectacular dining venues is
Allred's, which sits atop Telluride at nearly 11,000
feet. Complete with a private dining room for up to 30
guests, Allred's features creative American cuisine,
prepared with international influences by executive chef
Bob Scherner. Chef Scherner offers a nightly chefs menu
paired with a selection of fine wlnes.
9545 is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring the New American cuisine of Chef Aaron Woo. Chef
Woo combines French and Italian influences for a unique
taste.
For the more casual dining experience, or one the kids
will enjoy, visit Baked in Telluride, which specializes in
homemade baked breads, bagels, pastries andpizzaor Floradora with its new Western cuisine.
On the ski mountain, you'll find a variety of eateries,
including ThatPizza Place, Gorrono Ranch, Guiseppe's at
the top of lift 9, and High Camp at the top of lift 12.
Where to Stoy
The town of Telluride is dotted with Victorian-era
built during the mining boom of the 1870s. Today,
those homes have been transformed into inns that are
now some of Telluride's most popular lodging accommodations. Whether you choose to stay at one of the inns or
prefer the grandeur of a luxury condominium, you'll find
homes
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everything with easy access to the slopes, the town,
dining and activities.
One unique accommodation in Telluride is Tempter House. One of the highest elevation homes in North
America, Tempter House sits perched at 72,200 feet
above sea level, overlooking Telluride Ski & Golf Resort
and the town of Mountain Village. Tempter House fea-
tures ski-in/ski-out terrain, steam shower, pool table,
Sub Zero appliances, log fireplaces, feather beds and
360-degree views. For complete information about accommodations, go online to wwwVisitTelluride.com.
Getting There ond Getting Around
The Telluride Regional Airport is the world's
second-highest commercial airport. There are daily
flights from Denver, Phoenix and Salt Lake City. You
can also fly into nearby Montrose (67 miles away),
Durango/La Plata County Airport (128 miles away),
Cortez Municipal Airport (75 miles away) or Grand
Junction-Walker Field (127 miles away).
Several shuttle services operate between Telluride
and each airport. The Telluride Express offers service
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Telluride Trivio
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OPPOSITE PAGE:Telluride might be o world-closs skiresort,
but it is olso the perfect summer ployground with miles
of troils for hiking ond mountoin biking. ABOVE: Telluride
Ski Resort originolly opened in 1972 ond now offers l/00
skioble ocres for skiers of oll levels. The slopes open for the
seoson this yeor on November 22,2007. TOP RIGHT: Telluride Mounioln Villoge, founded in \987, sits ot the bose of
the ski resort, surrounded by the mojestic peoks of the Son
Juon Mountoins. BOTTOM RIGHT: The Tempier House, one
of the highest elevotion homes in North Americo ot 12,2OO
feet obove seo level, sits high obove Telluride Ski & Golf
Resort ond offers the perfect spot for your Telluride stoy.
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Buich Cossidy robbed his first bonk in Tellurlde on
June 24, 1889, when he got owoy wiih $20,000 f rom
ihe Son Miguel Vol ey Bonk.
. Telluride Regionol Airport sits ot 9,078 feet obove
seo level, moking it the highest commerciol oirport
in North Americo ond the second highesi in the
o
world.
. There ore no choin restouronts or shops in Telluride.
. Bridol Veil Folls, in Telluride's eost end, is Coloro
do's tollest free-folling woterfoll ot 355 feet.
. Telluride wos the home of the world's first olternoting current (AC) power plont, moking the town
lhe first in the world to hove electric sireetlights.
. Most sireet corners hove puppy porking to occommodote the lorge dog populotion in town,
where there ore more conine residents thon humon
ones.
between Telluride and Montrose, Durango, Cortez and
Grand Junction (888.212.8294), Alpine Luxury Limo
serves the same towns (877.728.8750) and Mountain
Limo runs service between Telluride and Montrose
(970.728.9606).
Once you get to town, you can park your car and
forget about it for the rest of your trip. Both historic
Telluride and Mountain Village are small and pedestrian-friendly. You can take the free gondola for the
l3-minute ride between the two towns from 7 a.m. to
midnight daily. You can even carry your mountain
bike, skis and pets. Call 970.728.0588 for more information.
In the historic downtown as well as the Mountain Village, there are also free shuttles. Shuttles loop
through town every 20 minutes from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
daily while the Mountain Village shuttles run every
half hour.
Nestled at the base of some of the most rugged
mountains in the U.S., Telluride offers breathtaking
beauty, natural serenity, world-class skiing and an adventure around every
corner
. Telluride hos more thon 30 summer festivols eoch
yeor.
. Telluride offers two forms of free ironsportoiion: A
public gondolo system thot whisks visitors from the
town of Telluride to the Mountoln Villoge ond the
Golloping Goose buses thot run on non-toxic, biodegrodoble, vegetoble-oil-bqsed bio-diesel fuel.
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