Snowy town of Telluride
Get to town by skiing
Crepes in Mountain Village
Visitors | Getting Here | Weekend | 7 Days | Kids | Facts
Lay of the Land
Telluride may be just 13 blocks long and five blocks wide, but if it’s your first visit to our little valley you may need a little help finding what fits you best. Your first decision: Telluride or Mountain Village? Both towns offer easy ski access with lifts and the gondola running from the heart of each town. It's easy to stroll store to store, restaurant to restaurant, hotel to hotel in both towns, and mountain views are equally unbeatable. To set the towns apart, Telluride is Victorian-era restored, fashionably funky, breathtakingly beautiful, hip and historic, while Mountain Village is Swiss-Alps-stunning and structurally new (the town was incorporated in 1995), villa style, quiet and refined with scenic rolling spanning landscape and matching architecture.
Where should you rest your head, grab a bite, quench your thirst, hike, ski, mingle? Telluride and Mountain Village have an array of things to do inside and out. A full menu of diverse dining options from authentic food carts and park bench seating, to fireside dining by candlelight and alpine glow, await in both locales separated only by a scenic 15-minute gondola ride, one mountain hamlet to another. You’ll want to indulge in downtown Telluride and the Village Core of Mountain Village, both boast unique boutiques for fine apparel and ample ski shops to suit you right with local advice on the best gear. So be pampered, your lodging is walking distance from the best of the best.
Sleeping: Where to Rest Your Head
Whether it's nightlife lodging or a sleepy B&B your looking for, Telluride and Mountain Village are sure to please the weary traveler and the late night rambler. In Telluride, the Camel's Garden is conveniently located at the base of the gondola, next to the Atmosphere Spa, Chair 8, a ski area ticket office and a sporting goods store.The hotel/condos have balconies, fireplaces, marble bathrooms and
oversized tubs. Plus, there is a 25-foot hot tub with gorgeous views, and
some units have kitchens. Hotel Telluride offers elegant and charming accommodations located at Telluride's front door. The Hotel Telluride is the town's newest hotel accommodation and seeks to please with private, quiet balconies, feather beds and humidifiers. Visit the Hotel Columbia for large rooms, beautiful balconies, and elegant dining and fireside lounging at the Cosmopolitan located just below. The Hotel Columbia is adjacent to the gondola for perfect transportation ease. In Mountain Village, try the Franz Klammer for posh stays and tremendous views, located near Lift 4 and the gondola.
Step into the Bear Creek Lodge for affordable luxury in the Mountain Village alpine setting. Rooms are large and ammenities ample for this ski-in, ski-out lodge. The Victorian Inn in Telluride is a modest and inexpensive way to go if you’re on the go and about town. It is conveniently located and quaint, one of Telluride’s simpler and more traditional accommodations. The New Sheridan is located where all of the action is, right on the main drag, and it's also one of Telluride's oldest buildings with plenty of history.
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Eating: A Taste of Telluride
Telluride's dining menu can satiate nearly all cravings. With all of the activities going on in town—and located at an elevation of 8,750 feet—it’s hard not to work up an appetite ... so indulge in the finest of fare.The New Sheridan Chop House is elegant dining located on main street in the old historic Sheridan Opera House building. Just down the street located in a residential area is 221 South Oak offering picturesque and charming fine dining in a quaint homey atmosphere. For high elevation dining with high sophistication, ride the gondola to Allred’s for spectacular views and delish cuisine by candlelight and the lights of the town of Telluride below.
Go light and delicious at the perfect food court lunch stops like La Tapatia or the Crepe Cart or the Gyro Stand, and take it to go to the park or a main street bench. If you’re looking for something more formal La Cocina is a quaint, organic and colorful south-of-the-border stop. Try Fat Alley for good ol’ traditional BBQ, bench seating, and an understandably packed house—the food is delish. Don't miss the finest pan Asian cuisine, sushi bar and not-to-miss mojitos: Honga's Lotus Petal has long been a favorite from its quaint beginning to today's two story posh locale.
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Apres Ski: The Place To Be
Almost as stellar as skiing itself, apres ski is the perfect way to cap off a day on the slopes. No need to change out of ski gear, just mosey on in and warm up at Allred's at the midway station of the gondola and gaze out at winter sunsets while sipping martinis and savoring tapas at this high elevation club. Ski into town, click out of your skis, and step into Chair 8 for hearty nachos and an array of imported beer and fresh lime margaritas. On main street, the New Sheridan Bar offers fireside cocktails and a historic atmosphere.
If window seating and people watching are on the agenda, visit the Last Dollar Saloon for fireside seating while sipping a brew. It's a local's age-old favorite and fishbowl experience looking out, and looking in. The Cornerhouse Grille one block off main is a comfy spot to relax after skiing, take in a game or two on a variety of screens, and dive into sizeable sandwiches spanning a classic Reuben or a hummus veggie with sides of fries or salads. Or check out Poachers Pub in Mountain Village, play a game of pool, grab some waffle fries and a brewski because it's all about the after-ski. Apres ski in both towns is a must.
Check out the almost-evening apres-ski offerings in Telluride and Mountain Village.
Nightlife: About Town
Top off the evening at the romantic, quaint La Marmotte with a stellar selection of molten cakes, creme brule, ports and cognacs. Grab a show at the Sheridan Opera House and a cocktail at the New Sheridan Chop House bar, a perfect people-watching seat with delectable drink choices. For legendary mojitos, an extensive list of sakes and cherished teas, or a fried-banana ice cream decadent dessert, stop in at Honga's Lotus Petal and grab a seat at the ever-popular bar.
Jump on the gondola whether from Mountain Village to Telluride or vice versa, the star-gazing is unbeatable and the lights of town quaint and bright. Keep abreast with current schedules at the Telluride Conference Center in Mountain Village and the Michael Palm Theatre in Telluride. Stroll the streets, take a hot tub, a Jacuzzi, or a steam shower, and relax, you're in the mountains.
Check out late night treats and cuisine offerings.
Shopping: Don't Leave Telluride Without It
If the outside views weren't grand enough, beauty is also inside Telluride's boutiques and galleries. Telluride's landscapes have no doubt inspired the artist. Stop in at Lucas Gallery, Elinoff & Co. and Lustre an Artisan Gallery to gaze at beauty captured.
In the mood for elegance? Stop in Cashmere Red for handbags, totes, scarves and sweaters in pure and classic Scottish cashmere. Women's high end apparel, handcrafted jewelry and chic shoes are available at the posh boutiques. Get Down to Earth (it's rumored Darryl Hannah shops here) in this unique basement boutique.
Everyone needs a little ski gear update so head over to Paragon Ski & Sports for a beanie, a new ski jacket and new skis—keeping up with ski technology (and style) is a must.
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Activities: The Lowdown on Recreation
Of course, it is winter and you are in Telluride and you want to ski. Ski, ski, ski … the Telluride Ski Resort has terrain for everyone, from the steeps to soft slopes. But say you’re not in the mood for skiing, or maybe a little sore after your first day back in bindings, there are plenty of outdoor activities. There are ice rinks in both Telluride and Mountain Village and local outfitter Bootdoctors and the Telluride Nordic Center can set you up with skates. Walk the streets of two gorgeous towns and taste the high alpine, fresh air living from your skis or skates or snowshoes. Get outside in Telluride, it's mostly sunny and always picturesque—perfect picture taking.
Catch a flick at the Nugget Theatre; it’s as unique as the olden days, small and local. Walk next door and you’ll step back in time again inside the Sheridan Opera House. The Opera House serves up the best of the best in musical big names, and during winter hosts a winter concert series.
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