Telluride! For discerning ski enthusiasts, the name itself conjures images of breathtaking vistas and unparalleled ski experiences. For us at cardiagnosticnearme.com, and as seasoned auto repair experts who appreciate precision and performance in all forms, Telluride stands out as our undisputed favorite ski resort. Nestled deep in southwestern Colorado, far from the bustling crowds and easily accessible airports, Telluride offers a unique blend of challenging terrain, awe-inspiring scenery, and an authentic ski culture that resonates with visitors from across the globe. This comprehensive review of Telluride ski resort is born from numerous visits, spanning years and varied snow conditions, allowing us to provide an in-depth and reliable perspective for those planning their next ski adventure.
Coonskin lift line in the morning sun, Telluride, Colorado, offering a glimpse of the pristine slopes and blue skies
Telluride Mountain Stats: A Quick Glance
| Metric | Value | Rank (Among North American Resorts) |
|---|---|---|
| Real Vertical | 3,845 feet (1,172 meters) | 7 |
| Skiable Acreage | 2,000 acres (809 hectares) | 44 |
| Average Annual Snowfall | 276 inches (701 cm) actual (309″ claimed) | 57 |
| Number of Ski Pods | 10 | 20 |
| Distinct Trails | 125 | 22 |
| Review Date | March 2015 (with updates through 2021) | N/A |
| Number of Visits | 5+ | N/A |
| Our Rating | ★★★★★ | #1 Favorite Resort |
| Resort Website | Telluride Ski Resort Official Website | N/A |
Telluride trail map showcasing the extensive terrain and varied slopes for skiers of all levels
Telluride Ski Resort Review: A Personal Perspective
Our enduring love affair with Telluride began in March 2015, though my personal history with this mountain stretches back to its early days. Having witnessed its evolution from a quirky, hidden gem in the 70s to the world-class destination it is today, my perspective is deeply rooted in experience. The 2014-15 season was particularly generous with snowfall, blanketing the resort in fresh powder just ahead of our trip. This initial experience cemented Telluride as a must-return destination, and we’ve since made the rewarding journey many times over.
Accommodation and Location: Village vs. Town
When planning a Telluride ski trip, location is key. Unlike resorts with sprawling access points, Telluride necessitates staying either in Mountain Village, perched on the mesa above town, or in the historic town of Telluride nestled in the valley floor. Mountain Village, accessible via a free and scenic gondola operating until late, offers ski-in/ski-out convenience and a modern, purpose-built resort atmosphere. The town of Telluride, in contrast, exudes historic charm, vibrant nightlife, and also provides direct lift access. Crucially, both locations offer seamless access to the slopes, eliminating morning bottlenecks. While Mountain Village boasts upscale dining and lodging, Telluride town pulses with a livelier après-ski scene centered around Main Street. An evening gondola ride to Mountain Village offers breathtaking nighttime views of Telluride town twinkling below, a truly unforgettable experience.
Night view of Telluride town from Mountain Village, highlighting the gondola and illuminated slopes
Grooming Excellence: From Bumps to Corduroy
Historically, Telluride was legendary for its challenging bump runs, a vestige of its early days before advanced grooming technology. The front-side runs descending into town were notorious mogul fields, often ungroomed due to their steep pitch. However, modern snowmaking and grooming practices have transformed Telluride. Many of these once-formidable slopes are now meticulously groomed, offering exhilarating steep corduroy alongside the classic bump runs. Coonskin, accessible directly from the gondola, became our favorite early-morning warm-up. Its location, slightly removed from the main Village access points, often makes it less crowded, even on busy days, providing a hidden gem for those in the know.
Exploring the Village Side: Terrain for Intermediates and Beyond
The majority of Telluride’s skiable terrain lies on the Mountain Village side. Intermediate skiers often gravitate towards the Polar Queen Express, Village Express, and Prospect Bowl Express lifts. Prospect Bowl, in particular, offers steeper intermediate runs compared to the other two. While these runs are enjoyable, seasoned skiers might find them comparable to other major Colorado resorts. It’s worth noting that Telluride’s terrain can be characterized by significant variations in pitch – often transitioning quickly between steep and relatively flat sections. For purely intermediate skiers seeking consistently moderate terrain, resorts like Copper Mountain or Vail might be a better fit.
Perfectly groomed Village Express run in Telluride, showcasing the smooth corduroy and inviting slopes
Beginner-Friendly Zones: Sunshine and the Chondola
For beginner skiers, Telluride offers dedicated learning areas accessed by the Sunshine Express and the Chondola. While these lifts also serve some runs labeled as intermediate, experienced skiers will find them decidedly beginner-friendly, ideal for leisurely cruising. However, for those new to skiing, these areas are paradise. Telluride provides a more extensive and well-designed beginner terrain offering than many other large resorts, making it a surprisingly good destination for families and those just starting out.
Mountain Village at Telluride, depicting the pedestrian-friendly village and access to beginner slopes
Upper Mountain Lifts: The Pinnacle of Telluride’s Terrain
For truly exceptional skiing, the upper mountain lifts are the main attraction. Each lift accesses at least one steep, groomed run, while areas like Gold Hill Express are exclusively dedicated to advanced and expert terrain.
Gold Hill Express: Expert Chutes and Breathtaking Views
Gold Hill Express is synonymous with steep, challenging skiing. While often wind-affected, the chutes off this lift can hold pockets of wind-deposited powder. Despite the exposed and often windswept nature, Telluride invested in a high-speed quad here, a testament to the unique and sought-after terrain it serves. For advanced skiers, Gold Hill is a highlight of the Telluride experience.
Looking up Gold Hill Chute #9 in Telluride, illustrating the steepness and challenging terrain for expert skiers
Further to skier’s right, the terrain becomes even more demanding. Dedicated experts can undertake the challenging hike to Palmyra Peak, reaching 13,320 feet (4,060 meters), to access even more extreme chutes. The slightly less daunting Gold Hill Chutes, accessed via the infamous “Gold Hill Stairs,” still require a commitment. The hike to chute #9 takes approximately 45 minutes and involves navigating steep stairs and walkways – not for the faint of heart! However, the reward is access to incredibly steep and legendary terrain, an unforgettable experience for truly adventurous skiers.
Gold Hill Stairs at Telluride, showcasing the steep ascent required to access expert terrain
From Prospect Express, gazing across at Gold Hill offers a stunning perspective on the challenging chutes and the adventurous skiers tackling them.
View of Gold Hill from Prospect Express, providing a panoramic view of the expert terrain and surrounding mountains
Apex Lift: Steep Groomers with a Historical Twist
Apex lift serves double-blue steep groomers, a notable evolution from the 1980s when all runs in this area were rated black. Improved snowmaking and grooming have broadened the appeal of Apex, making it accessible to strong intermediate skiers seeking a challenge. While enjoyable, Revelation lift offers even more compelling steep groomed terrain.
Revelation Lift: High Altitude Bowls and Expansive Views
Revelation lift ascends to the highest lift-served point in Telluride, reaching an impressive 12,570 feet (3,831 meters). Revelation Bowl is a vast, partially groomed bowl offering breathtaking panoramic views and excellent snow quality, often sheltered from strong winds. Its popularity sometimes leads to crowds and skiers perhaps exceeding their abilities, resulting in the occasional “slide for life.” The terrain and snow quality arguably warrant a high-speed quad upgrade to better manage skier traffic.
Revelation Bowl in Telluride, demonstrating the vastness and high-altitude terrain with stunning mountain views
The Plunge Lift: Legendary Steep Groomers, Now Faster
The Plunge lift at Telluride is, in our opinion, the best lift serving steep groomers of any resort we’ve reviewed. Previously a slow, fixed-grip triple, it accessed three of the finest steep groomers imaginable, with Bushwacker being our absolute favorite. The views of Telluride town and the surrounding San Juan Mountains from these runs are simply distracting in their beauty. The entire experience is almost surreal. Thankfully, as of the 2022-23 season, the Plunge lift has been upgraded to a high-speed quad, finally matching the lift’s capacity to the popularity of the terrain it serves!
The Plunge lift at Telluride, capturing the iconic lift and the steep slopes it accesses with views of the town below
On-Mountain Dining: Village and Town Options
Telluride’s on-mountain lodges are impressive in their architecture and locations. While we haven’t extensively sampled the on-mountain dining, preferring the independent eateries in Mountain Village, another excellent option is to ski directly into Telluride town. The town offers a plethora of dining choices near the gondola base. On-mountain restaurants often appear crowded and may require reservations. Our one experience at Big Billie’s cafeteria at the base of the Chondola was underwhelming, feeling more like a ski school cafeteria with standard resort fare.
A Local’s Perspective: The Soul of Telluride
One memorable encounter on the Plunge lift perfectly encapsulates the Telluride spirit. We met a local who skis every single day of the season, a tradition he’s upheld since the 1970s. He was a well-known figure, even featured in the local magazine. His only missed ski days were due to a brief hospital stay. Telluride fosters this kind of deep connection – a place so captivating that a lifetime of skiing there still leaves you wanting more. This profound sense of place is why Telluride holds the top spot on our list.
Summit of See Forever run at Telluride, showcasing the panoramic views and vastness of the ski area
The Upsides of Telluride: Why We Love It
- World-Class Steep Groomers: Home to the best steep groomed runs anywhere.
- Unrivaled Scenery: The most breathtaking mountain vistas of any US resort.
- Top-Tier Terrain Variety and Quality: Among the best in North America for diverse and challenging skiing.
- Charming Colorado Ski Town: Authentic and picturesque town with a rich history.
- Exceptional Grooming: Meticulously maintained slopes across the mountain.
- Significant Vertical Drop: Offers long and exhilarating runs.
Main Street in Telluride town, depicting the historic buildings and vibrant atmosphere of the ski town
The Downsides of Telluride: Things to Consider
- Less Snow than Some Colorado Resorts: While reliable, average snowfall is lower compared to resorts further north.
- High Costs, Especially Lodging: Telluride is a premium destination with correspondingly high prices.
- Remote Location and Access: Getting to Telluride requires effort and longer travel times.
- Terrain Bias Towards Extremes: Less abundant true intermediate terrain; predominantly steep or flat runs.
Revelation Bowl in Telluride under cloudy skies, highlighting the high-alpine environment and potential for challenging conditions
Our Verdict: Will We Return to Telluride?
Without hesitation, yes! Telluride remains our benchmark for ski resort excellence. We’ve even entertained dreams of owning a Village condo to spend more time immersed in its magic. While that remains a future aspiration, we will continue to prioritize visits to Telluride whenever possible.
The Plunge run at Telluride, showcasing the steep pitch and challenging terrain enjoyed by expert skiers
