Telluride Ski Resort in Colorado & Escape2ski provides info on; vertical drop 3845ft/1172m, total trails 127, closest airport 68mi/110km, lifts 18, & more.

The ski resort and its mountain village should not be confused with the Town of Telluride, which is nestled in the box canyon of the Southern San Juan Mountains of Colorado along the San Miguel River.

Before the name Telluride was established, the area was called Columbia after the mining camp that was created after gold was discovered in the mountains in 1858. Due to a similarly named area, Columbia was changed to Telluride some nine years later.

During the boom years, the population of the region swelled to almost 5000 residents who came from as far away as Sweden and Finland hoping to secure their futures. The bust came when the mines finally closed in the early 1950’s, and by 1953 the population stood at only several hundred people.

For almost 20 years the area would remain a ghost town, until Joe Zoline, a businessman from Chicago and Beverly Hills, came to the area on the advice of a friend who said that the Telluride area would make an excellent location for a ski resort.

Joe purchased the land and with the help of a lot of skilled people he created Telluride Ski Resort, which opened to the public on December 22, 1972, with 5 chairlifts and a basic trail system and was the beginning of the Telluride Ski Resort that is known throughout the world today.

In 1978, Zoline sold the ski resort to Ron Allred and Jim Wells from Avon, Colorado and this was the beginning of 20 years of capital investment into the resort. New chairlifts were added, the completion of the Mountain Village, and the addition of new trails, including expert terrain. The ski resort was purchased by Chuck Horning, a real estate investor in 2004, and under Chuck’s guidance, the resort continues to develop as laid out in the 15-year master plan.

A unique feature of the area is the gondola which links the Town of Telluride to the ski resort mountain village (8 miles away). The gondola is part of a one of a kind transportation system that offers FREE environmentally friendly transportation seven days a week to and from the Resort.

Telluride Ski Resort has grown into a four-season resort that offers diverse terrain, including bowls and chutes, and is regularly rated by the Reader’s Polls of Conde de Nast, Ski Magazine, and Powder Magazine as the “Most Scenic” resort due to its unrivaled scenery.

On the Slopes

• Telluride Ski Resort is known for its challenging terrain, but there is lots of beginner terrain to be found in the Meadows area with its wide open learning area and a covered surface lift.
• Telluride Ski Resort is a dream come true for the advanced and expert skier and boarder. There is the Revelation Bowl, Black Iron Bowl, and Prospect Bowl along with Hike-to-Terrain on the 13,320ft/4060m Palmyra Peak, plus Gold Hill Chutes, and Bald Mountain.
• There are three terrain parks at Telluride including the Ute Beginner Park, the Hoot Brown Intermediate Park, and the Hoot Brown Advanced Park with a large Jump Line, C-Boxes, Rainbow Rails, and more features.
• Telluride Ski and Snowboard School has a dedicated team of professional instructors that offer various children’s lessons and programs, like the Cubs, Otters, Bear, and Eagles. There are also, adult group, and private lessons, specialty camps, that include moguls, heli-ski, mountain guides, and even snowbiking lessons.
• The 9540ft/2908m Mountain Village is a pedestrian village that offers a vast selection of lodging options, such as The Peaks Resort and Spa, Temper House, and the Inn at Lost Creek. There are many dining options, including Allred’s, and Siam’s Talay Grille, along with a selection of retail shops.

Off the Slopes

• The historic Town of Telluride and its main street Colorado Avenue, features various shopping options, plus lots of restaurant and bars to eat, drink and relax. There are also over 40 lodging options available spread throughout the town.
• There is Nordic skiing and snowshoeing at the TopATen Nordic facility on 6mi/10km of trails located at the top of Lift 10. The trail loops are Lynx, Magic Meadow, and Boomerang.
• Cubs Camp at the Nursery is a daycare facility located in the Mountain Village at the base area of Telluride Ski Resort near lift 4 – Village Express. Full day, half day and hourly times are available.
• If you’re a history buff, make sure you take a moment to visit the Telluride Historical Museum, located in the restored 1896 miners’ hospital, which showcases the town’s diverse history.
• The Galloping Goose Bus service operates on fixed routes throughout the Town of Telluride and San Miguel County. The Town Loop and Lawson routes are FREE for all passengers. The Down Valley and Norwood routes charge passengers a small fee.
• The Telluride area has its own airport which is situated at the highest altitude of any commercial airport in the United States. Due to the uncertainty of the weather and its location on a Mesa, flight delays or an airport closure is always a possibility. The Montrose airport is located 66 miles (106 km) from Telluride and might be a better choice if you are on a tight schedule.
• Ground Transportation is available with Telluride Express and several other providers from Telluride Airport and Montrose Airport. Use the Helpful Links below to get more info.