Telluride Attractions

By Amanda May
Staff Writer
Rockies.com

Originally a mining town, Telluride is now famous for its ski resort, Telluride Ski Resort and has been developed into a four-seasons destination, complete with luxury Telluride lodging.

Telluride Ski Resort is located in the glacier-sculpted canyon at the foot of the San Juan Mountains. The resort was founded in Joseph T. Zoline in the early 1970s, who intended to build it from scratch. The remoteness of the region was something that Zoline liked because it makes it harder to get to, and therefore more elite and less crowded.

And Zoline’s efforts have paid off, with Telluride’s drastic natural environment, 300 annual days of sunshine and 300+ inches of snow yearly, it has been called “the most beautiful place you’ll ever ski.”

Nowadays, it is not as inaccessible as before, as there is not non-stop air service to the Telluride and Montrose Regional Airports to nine cities around the country, but the short or non-existent lift lines still await skiers who make it to this southwest Colorado ski resort.

Off the slopes, Telluride has also built up a reputation for itself as a premier all season resort. In the summer months, Telluride transforms into an outdoors recreation hot spot. Tourists come to enjoy a wide range of activities such as mountain biking, hiking, river rafting, sightseeing and more.

In the summer, there are also festivals to please almost every weekend, including the international Telluride Film Festival, Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, earning Telluride moniker “The City of Festivals.”

Adventure seekers can get their fill in Telluride as well. Tour companies in the area offer hang gliding, mountain climbing and kayaking excursions. Because of the steep, rugged terrain, mountain biking is usually passed up for 4×4 tours, one of which will take you to Imogene Pass to Ouray. Along the hair-raising route, you’ll see the old Tomboy mine and fort at 13,114 feet, evidence of the town’s silver and gold mining beginnings.

Don’t miss Bridal Veil Falls when you’re visiting Telluride. This gorgeous spot is Colorado’s longest free-falling waterfall and just a hike out of town.

Stream fish along the Dolores or San Miguel River for your dinner, or check out one of the excellent downtown restaurants.

While you’re downtown, take a walking tour of the restored Victorian area. The Telluride Historical Museum is another good stop downtown for anyone interested in the town’s history.

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