TELLURIDE SKI RESORT GUIDE
Telluride Ski Resort Overview
The appeal of this resort is simple — Telluride might be the best ski town in North America, and it happens to be nestled at the end of a box canyon in the epic San Juan Mountain Range. If you've ever seen a Coors Light can, you’ve caught a glimpse of Telluride's jagged peaks. Telluride should be a stop on everyone’s bucket list. Though Telluride is a challenge to reach, it's well worth the journey to Southwestern Colorado.
Telluride is a world-renowned destination not just for its jaw-dropping beauty and culture but also for its skiing. There is skiing for all levels--nearly a quarter of the terrain is accessible to beginners. Telluride offers over 3,800 feet of vertical into 2,000 acres, with the terrain to challenge even the best of skiers. Options for dining, après, and lodging abound. From motels and dive bars to five-star restaurants and stunning Airbnbs, you can tailor your own experience. There's plenty in the town of Telluride, though, for easier ski-in-out access; Mountain Village is ~1,000 feet further up from town, accessible by gondola. Once you visit Telluride, you'll understand that this place has a vibe you won't find anywhere else.
Snow Reliability
Snow-Making & Grooming
Ski School
Travel Convenience
Accommodations
Terrain Variety
On Mountain Dining
Extreme / Off-Piste Terrain
Quick Take
Let's Go
Arguably the best ski town in the United States as ranked by Ski Magazine and Travel & Leisure, the central area of this old mining town has been designated a National Historic Landmark.
It is one of the few pedestrian-friendly ski towns in the U.S., along with Park City, etc.
Lifts 6, 9, 14, and 15 offer some of the best expert inbounds skiing around. For a real challenge, try the hike up to Palmyra Peak; this is about as intense as skiing gets for patrolled areas.
For a town of only 2,500 people, there is no shortage of excellent food, drink, and good times for everyone. Telluride also features luxury accommodations such as Peaks Resort.
Mountain Village, accessible by a scenic gondola ride 1,000 feet further up from the town of Telluride, is family-friendly with slopeside condos and a daycare center.
Hesitations
Telluride is isolated, and getting here involves flying into a remote area and/or taking a lengthy road trip.
Beware of lean snow years in the American Southwest. Telluride can be feast or famine.
Only the full Epic Pass includes 7 days at Telluride. The Epic Local Pass requires separate tickets to ski here.
Similar to most resorts, you can expect crowds and lift lines on weekends, holidays, and, of course, powder days.
Insider Tips
True ski-in-ski-out. Access the mountain from town with lifts 7, 8, and the Gondola. The free Gondola runs between the town and the mountain village until midnight.
For moguls and steeps, or just to test yourself on an iconic run, seek Plunge, located below chair 9 (Plunge Lift).
Start your day at Baked in Telluride for breakfast and grab sandwiches for the day. This grab-n-go style stop has donuts, pastries, burritos, soups, salads, and more.
Telluride has an easily accessible side country. Beware, this ski area has legendary terrain and skis more like a proper backcountry. Routes can be difficult to follow; there are cliffs and avalanche risks. A guide is strongly recommended, along with bringing a beacon, shovel, and probe. Learn more about Telluride's Backcountry terrain here; don't skip their safety page, and be sure to check the avalanche forecast.
Telluride is one of the leading heli-skiing locales in the U.S. A full day of heli-skiing is available for a "reasonable" rate (as far as heli-skiing goes) through Helitrax for ~$1,395.
Although getting to Telluride can prove difficult, once you arrive, the public transportation via the Galloping Goose bus system is super convenient.
Trail Map
For an in-depth breakdown of Telluride's terrain, head to our Mountain Guide. Top trails and mountain stats included.
Getting To & Around
Telluride Ski Resort is not easy to reach, but once there, the area is best enjoyed on foot. The nearest major airports, Salt Lake City and Denver are each ~6.5 hours drive away. Many people fly into one of those cities and make a road trip, stopping at destinations along the way like Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.
The town of Telluride has a small airport. However, flights are pricey, and the likelihood of weather impacting travel is heightened. Flying into Montrose and then driving two hours south is the middle ground.
Getting To
Closest Major City: Denver, CO or Salt Lake City, UT
Denver: Distance: ~355 miles North East, ~ 6.5 hours drive
Salt Lake: Distance ~375 miles North West, ~6.5 hours drive
Closest Regional Airport: Montrose, CO
~5.5 miles, ~80 minute drive
Direct service from 10 major cities with limited availability
Closest Airport: Telluride, CO
~5.5 miles, ~12 minute drive
Primarily serviced by private plans
Neighboring Resorts
Telluride stands alone in the San Juan Range in Southwestern Colorado. There are a few smaller resorts nearby, but the closest major resorts are more than 5 hours away.
Closet Neighbor:
Silverton (~75 miles, ~2 hours)
Other Colorado Resorts on the Epic Pass
Vail, CO (270 miles, ~5 hours)
Breckenridge, CO (~270 miles, ~5 hours, 15 mins)
Keystone, CO (~300 miles, ~5.5 hours)
Closet Neighbors on the Ikon Pass
Travel by Plane
Closest Major Airports: Denver, CO or Salt Lake City, UT
Denver: Distance: ~355 miles North East, ~ 6.5 hours drive
Salt Lake: Distance ~375 miles North West, ~6.5 hours drive
Closest Regional Airport: Montrose, CO
~65 miles, ~80 minute drive
Direct service from 10 major cities with limited availability. Southwest and Jet Blue both service to Montrose.
Closest Airport: Telluride, CO
~5.5 miles, ~12 minute drive
Limited service by private Plane
Travel By Bus
The Galloping Goose bus service takes people between town and Mountain Village
Airport Shuttles: Telluride Express provides shuttles from/to the Gunnison-Telluride and Montrose airports to Telluride
Western Slope Rides also provides shuttles from/to the Gunnison-Telluride and Montrose airports to Telluride; shuttles to/from Montrose are $159 per person each way, and $53 per person for groups of 3 or more
Travel by Car
A car is not essential when visiting Telluride. The Mountain Village Gondola is free and transports people from town to the village and runs from 6:30 a.m. to midnight daily. It’s a 13-minute ride each way. The town and village are pedistrian friendly.
Ride shares: (e.g., Uber, Lyft) are available but not reliable here
