Telluride Ski Resort

Box-canyon town linked to the slopes by a free gondola.

Big, steep terrain above a Victorian mining town in a box canyon, with a free gondola linking town, the ski area and Mountain Village. Long groomers like See Forever suit intermediates, while hike-to chutes off Gold Hill and 13,320-ft Palmyra Peak keep experts busy. Remote and pricey, but rarely crowded.

The mountain

Vertical drop

4,425 ft

Summit

13,150 ft

Skiable terrain

2,000 acres

Trails

149

Lifts

17

Average snowfall

280″ a year

Longest run

4.6 mi

Snowmaking

11% of terrain

Terrain mix

• Beginner 23%
• Intermediate 36%
• Advanced 41%

What’s here besides skiing

• Terrain park
• Scenic lift rides
• Heli skiing
• Snowmobiling
• Snowshoeing
• Cross-country
• Ice skating
• Fat biking
• Spa
• Nightlife
• Kids programs

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 9, 5–9 pm

  Noel Night

  Town holiday shopping night with carolers and Santa, tied to the lighting of Telluride’s Christmas tree made of recycled skis.

• ChristmasDec 24, 6:30 pm

  Christmas Eve Torchlight Parade

  Ski instructors carry torches down the mountain, visible from both town and Mountain Village.

• New Year’sDec 31, 6:30 pm

  New Year’s Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks

  Torchlight parades in Telluride and Mountain Village, then fireworks best seen from the Mountain Village core.

• Opening dayThanksgiving Day, Nov 26 (targeted)

  Opening Day

  Targeted start of the 2026-27 season.

• FestivalFeb 11–14, 2027

  Telluride Comedy Festival

  Four nights of stand-up at the historic Sheridan Opera House.

• FestivalFeb 27–Mar 6, 2027

  Telluride Gay Ski Week

  A week of skiing, parties and social events in town and on the mountain.

Where to stay

• ski-in/ski-outThe Madeline Hotel & Residences

  Auberge hotel in the Mountain Village core with a spa, Black Iron Kitchen’s fire tables and an outdoor skating rink out front. A Michelin Key hotel.

  Slopeside
• ski-in/ski-outThe Peaks Resort & Spa

  Large ski-in/ski-out hotel in Mountain Village, home to what it bills as Colorado’s largest spa and fitness center.

  Slopeside
• hotelNew Sheridan Hotel

  Historic 26-room hotel on Main Street since 1895, with the Historic Bar, the Chop House and a rooftop bar.

  In town
• hotelThe Hotel Telluride

  Boutique chalet-style hotel in town with a spa, restaurant and pet-friendly rooms.

  In town
• innVictorian Inn

  Small, simpler inn with queen rooms, kitchenette suites and a cottage, about a block from the gondola and Main Street.

  A block from the gondola

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• The free gondola · In town

  Free public gondola from town over the ski area to Mountain Village. A sightseeing ride in its own right, and the reason you don’t need a car here.

• Telluride Helitrax · Mountain Village

  Heli-skiing across 200+ square miles of the San Juans, run for more than 35 years.

• Telluride Nordic Center · In town

  Nonprofit nordic center with groomed classic and skate trails in Town Park and on the Valley Floor, plus rentals.

• Telluride Outfitters snowmobile tours

  Half- and full-day guided snowmobile tours that suit families.

• Spa at The Peaks · Mountain Village

  Big spa and fitness center with treatments and pools, a good rest day.

• Ice skating

  Outdoor rink at The Madeline in Mountain Village, plus the Town Park rinks in Telluride.

• Telluride Distilling · Mountain Village

  Small distillery with a tasting room in Mountain Village.

• Telluride Brewing Co. · 10 min drive

  Local brewery known for Face Down Brown, with about 20 beers on tap.

Après and nightlife

• Gorrono Ranch

  Historic on-mountain ranch with a snow deck, margaritas, BBQ and live music.

• New Sheridan Historic Bar & Chop House

  Classic Main Street bar; order the Flatliner, Telluride’s unofficial espresso cocktail.

• Oak

  Patio at the town gondola base with cheap beer and BBQ.

• Tomboy Tavern

  Slopeside beer garden in Mountain Village, known for a loaded Bloody Mary.

These themes are our summary of recent skier reviews, not quotes.

Getting there

• Montrose Regional (MTJ) · about 1 hr 20 min drive
• Denver · about 6.5 hr
• Albuquerque · about 6 hr

Directions in Google Maps