Telluride: Guides

Fast Facts

October 30th, 2007 9:15am

Good things come in small packages: Telluride is only 13 blocks long and five blocks wide, and only 2,200 people reside here. Our tiny mountain hamlet is perched at 8,750 feet in elevation, so even though its small size makes everything accessible, you will want to take it slowly, and drink lots of water to help acclimatize.

Weather

Welcome to the Rockies, where the weather is fickle and the mantra is to be prepared. That means always carrying waterproof and warm outer layers — even when it's sunny — and wearing the right kind of footwear, i.e. no high heels. Shoes should be waterproof and have good traction, because even the paved streets and sidewalks are icy and slick. At this elevation, sunscreen and good sunglasses are a must. For up-to-date weather, get a forecast from Plum. For road conditions and closures, visit the Colorado Department of Transportation website.

Transportation

Telluride may be small, but we have a big public transportation system. The Galloping Goose bus makes getting around easy, and the routes run down valley to Lawson Hill, Placerville, and Norwood. Check out the bus schedule for more information. We also have a free gondola system to shuttle people to the top of the mountain and over to Mountain Village, which has more places to shop, eat and stay. Even if you don't need to get to the village, the Gondola is an exhilarating ride with breathtaking views of the mountain ranges. Catch the gondola at the bottom of Oak Street or in the Mountain Village core.

Emergencies/Medical

Nothing is open around-the-clock in Telluride, but Sunshine Pharmacy on Colorado Avenue operates during regular business hours. The Telluride Medical Center is located at the base of the mountain on Pacific Street and can service all kinds of medical needs or after-hours emergencies. For any on-mountain medical problems, stop a ski patroller (they're wearing the red jackets with white crosses) or ask a lift operator to contact the ski patrol.

The Essentials

Need to mail a postcard? Get the zipper fixed on your down jacket? Or tow your vehicle out of a snow bank? Here's a list of all the important numbers you may need in Telluride.

Snow & Slope Etiquette

The mountain can be intimidating, especially on a powder day when everyone's in a frenzy: follow these simple guidelines so you can relax and enjoy the snow.

Know where to go — ski and ride at your level. Check the trail maps and make sure you don't wind up on a black diamond run before you're ready.
Don't venture beyond the ropes and boundary lines. Telluride has frequent avalanches and skiing out-of-bounds is dangerous, and illegal. If you want to ski out of a backcountry gate, you need a beacon, shovel, probe and probably a guide to stay safe.
Skiers and boarders below you have the right-of-way — they can't see you, so steer clear of them to avoid accidents.
Always look above you when merging onto a trail or run and don't stop below a knoll or ridge where you can't be seen. If you can't see above you, it's not a safe place to stop and rest.
Lift lines — Telluride is known for its short lift lines, so we don't have resort employees to keep the peace when the lines form. Take your turn and remember the grade school rule "no cutting."

Fun Facts

Telluride is unique among the Colorado mountain towns. We have the largest concentration of 14,000 foot peaks, and the box canyon surrounding the town is one of the most majestic landscapes you will ever see. Check out Bridal Veil falls, the tallest in the state, at the end of the valley. If the views don't take your breath away, the skiing will — from the black diamond runs off Gold Hill (elevation 12,000 feet) to the great hike-to terrain of the Palmyra ridge, newly open this season.

Telluride is an old mining town, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Make sure to check out the Telluride Historical Museum.