Skiing in Telluride

There’s a lot of places to ski in Colorado, but none of them are quite like Telluride. Isolated by the surrounding San Juan peaks, it’s got everything the bigger resorts do, just with better mountain views and fewer crowds. Telluride’s endless supply of powder-rich bowls, wide-open groomers, and backcountry terrain will keep you entertained for your entire ski vacation. There’s a reason why Telluride is constantly ranked as one of the best resorts in North America, but once the skiing has stopped for the day you’re going to have to find other ways to spend your time. Luckily we got you covered with a few of our favorite things to do when we go visit our friends in Telluride. 

Telluride Distillery and Telluride Brewery 

After a long day on the mountain there’s nothing better than putting your feet up, sitting back and relaxing with a few drinks with friends. Whether it’s a spirit or a beer, Telluride has got you covered with two local establishments for all your drinking pleasures, Telluride Distillery and Telluride Brewery. The closer of the two is the distillery, located right in Mountain Village, there’s no easier way to go directly from skiing to apres. Their in house tasting room is exactly where you want to be when sipping on a spirit or you can try one of their specialty house cocktails while learning about the distillery and Telluride’s liquor history. If beer is more your style, just a short drive away sits Telluride Brewery, a must see for any beer lover. Their huge menu of core, small batch, and aged beers will probably overwhelm you at first, but once you’ve discovered your pallet, you will be in craft brew paradise. 

Sledding

After a fun day on the mountain it’s only natural to want to get right back out there, and what better way than through the thrills of sledding. Telluride is no exception with two sledding hills to choose from. Firecracker Hill is the more popular of the two, located right in Telluride Town Park. Take the short walk through the park to the hill which is marked by pairs of orange cones. Along the way take in the gorgeous mountains that surround you. For people looking for a bit more of a thrill, there’s only one place to go, Thrill Hill. Right at the base of Mountain Village this steep slope will have you speeding down the mountain, only to be brought up once again by Lift 2. Both areas require that you bring your own sleds or you can rent some from Telluride Resort.

Mountain Village

Mountain Village is a must visit when coming to Telluride and luckily you’re not going to travel far or spend any money to get there. This picturesque ski town sits right above Telluride and features a first of its kind free gondola that has connected the two towns for decades. Whether you are done with the mountain for the day and are looking to get some after skiing beers or you’re looking for a place for dinner, Mountain Village has got a little bit of everything. With how accessible everything is, either by foot or the multiple free transportation systems that they have, you won’t need to drive at all. 

Telluride Film Festival 

Planning your ski vacation around the Telluride Film Festival is a must if you’re as big of a movie fan as you are a skier. Just like Park City’s Sundance Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival offers a first look at some of the most prestigious independent filmmakers from across the world. Unfortunately they had to cancel the 2020 event, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still check out all the films that were supposed to play this year. Checking out their website you’ll be able to stay up to date with news and learn more about some of the unique films that were entered.