Is Telluride the Prettiest Ski Resort in the World?

Deep powder. Endless runs. Little or no lift lines. Blissful solitude. These are some of the statements that sum up Telluride. But it’s the views that will really take your breath away.   There are lots of places with snow but there are no places quite like Telluride, Colorado located in southwest Colorado’s stunning San Juan Mountains.

Tucked into a box canyon at an altitude of 8,750 feet, Telluride is surrounded on three sides by 14,000-foot peaks.  Regularly voted ‘the prettiest ski resort in the world’, this laid-back mountain town is a must-visit for people who love to ski, without the crowds.

With 18 lifts and 127 runs, Telluride’s slopes offer an impressive array of terrain for all abilities and US Condé Nast readers ranked Telluride the #1 Ski Resort in North America.

There is also a large amount of backcountry, as well heli-skiing for the more adventurous.  Snowmobiling, ice climbing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating and sledding are also popular activities. 

Michael Martelon President and CEO of Telluride Tourism Board explains that with continuing improvements to access, new guest services and amenities, visitors will have the best possible experience when they visit Telluride.  “Whether it’s for the first time or they are loyal repeat guests, travelers planning trips to Telluride for the winter 2015-16 season will be greeted with added flights, updated lodging options, new restaurants and bars, ski camps, improved grooming and much more.”

“Australians can now fly straight through from Sydney and Melbourne to Telluride (MTJ) on United and American Airlines, and their partner Qantas, with multiple options through both Los Angeles (LAX) and Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW).  Many Australians also choose to take advantage of our direct flights on low-cost carrier Allegiant from LAX.  We’re thrilled to be able to provide such great access from our key international market,” he said.

NEW FLIGHTS

Now with 14 direct flights from 11 major hubs, Telluride offers some of the best, most direct access in ski country.

Winter 2015-16 will see a full-scale increase in Telluride’s American network, including another 50% addition from Dallas-Ft. Worth, more than doubling DFW service over the past two seasons. American will now offer a daily 128-seat mainline jet and two on Saturdays through the winter season from DFW to MTJ.

Flights from Phoenix (PHX) will more than double this winter, and American is also adding new routes from Chicago (ORD) and Los Angeles (LAX). The increases in seats and flights will create an expansive American network for Telluride/Montrose, offering access from across the country on the newly merged airline.

United, Colorado’s primary carrier, will continue to expand on its already-existing network to Telluride/Montrose with the addition of highly sought-after flights from New York – La Guardia (LGA).  MTJ’s core hub service will continue with multiple daily, year-round flights from DEN, daily service from Houston and Chicago, along with weekend flights from Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Key low-cost partner Allegiant will shift service from Phoenix-Mesa to Las Vegas this winter, along with continued flights from LAX. Flights will now run on Fridays and Mondays the first half of the season, and Thursdays and Sundays the second half.

LODGING UPDATES

Madeleine Hotel & Residences: Renovations of this iconic hotel are on track for completion by December 2015, including a grand new porte cochere and outdoor pool area, featuring a 24'x50' pool, hot tubs, fire pits and breathtaking views of the towering mountain peaks. New additions include Dylan’s Candy Bar, M Club and M Studio, and updates to the Black Iron Kitchen and Bar are complete. The hotel has also opened a new Club Room with indoor/outdoor bar, pool table, and shuffleboard, and a new Salon. http://www.madelinetelluride.com/renovations.php

Peaks Resort and Spa: In July 2015, Telluride Ski & Golf (TSG) closed a deal with Peaks Capital Partners to take over the Peaks Resort and Spa. The Peaks Resort and Spa is a ski-in/ski-out, full service hotel located adjacent to the Telluride Ski & Golf Club. The hotel features 177 guest rooms, a 42,000 square foot, 32 treatment rooms spa, indoor and outdoor swimming pools with a waterslide and 9,100 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The spa itself is the largest in Colorado in terms of square footage and offers a variety of treatments as well as fitness and wellness programming.

NEW RESTAURANTS AND BARS

Telluride Distilling Company: Telluride’s first distillery, offers two types of rums, whiskey, and vodka as of this past June. The equipment and processes used have been developed in-house and create a truly hand-crafted product. The tasting room is open Thursdays and Fridays from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.

New Dining Concept from Chef Erich Owen: Owen was the executive chef for six years at the New Sheridan Chop House in Telluride and served as the corporate executive chef for Koi restaurants, a high-end Japanese chain with locations in New York, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Bangkok and Dubai. This summer, he took over Honga’s Lotus Petal, where he will debut a new concept in the space focusing on casual fine dining with a downstairs bar, the historic Roma Bar, which will be transformed into a hip, après ski hangout.

NEW SKI CAMPS AND PROGRAMS

Biomechanics Camp: Biomechanics Camp will teach people of all ages to ski efficiently and in a way that minimizes stress on the body. Dr. Kim Hewson, orthopedic surgeon, former Director of Sports Medicine at the University of Arizona, and a lead Telluride Ski School instructor, has refined a scientific-based biomechanics approach that will be taught at this camp. Camp dates are January 15 – 18 

Making Friends with Moguls: This two-day camp will help skiers develop confidence in the bumps while skiing in a small group setting with like-minded and ability skiers. The camp will start out slowly with proven exercises and progressions to help skiers reach their goals.  Making Friends with Moguls Camp dates are January 20 – 21 and February 29 – March 1

Silver Skiers Program: For the 2015-16 season, the Telluride Ski and Snowboard School is offering a special program for skiers’ 50 years young and up. Two sessions consisting of four Thursdays each will match coaches from the senior ski school staff with smaller groups and will make skiing fun, relaxed and enjoyable for fellow seniors. The program is designed for novice through advanced/hard-core skiers and is meant to focus on the camaraderie formed through skiing with people of similar skill level and with similar interests. The Silver Skiers Program has sessions January 7 – January 28* and February 4 – March 3

NEW MOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENTS

New Grooming Equipment: The resort has added a new Snowcat PistenBully 600 to the fleet. The fuel-efficient PB600’s wider track and tiller allows Mountain Operations to increase the number of acres that can be accessed in a shorter amount of time, helping the resort better prepare for opening and increase grooming times throughout the season.

Snowmaking Enhancements: To bring more snow to Hoot Brown Terrain Park, TSG is installing Tower Mounts that enable easy relocation of snow guns from other areas of the mountain.

NEED MORE?

For more on everything this destination has to offer and discover why Telluride is the most Colorado place on earth visit their website.

For route maps and detailed schedule information, please see visit www.coloradoflights.org/schedule, or www.united.com, www.aa.com, www.delta.com and www.allegiantair.com

*Please note there will be no session on February 18, President’s Week.