Author: Sam Burgess

Telluride Ski Resort opens on November 25th, marking today 30 days until the lifts start turning!

Thanksgiving Day in Telluride is not only a day to spend with friends and family giving thanks, but it also marks the official opening of the ski resort. Snow-guns have been firing since October, ensuring there is ample coverage for the ones who want to get our for some early season turns in late November/Early December. It’s a great time to come test out the legs!

Only a small percentage of runs are typically open from Opening Day through the first few weeks of December. It’s all dependent on snow of course. We all want a solid base for the season. But snow-making capacity has been ramped up in the past few years. There is plenty of space for all to get their legs in shape for the core ski days!

As always, Gorrono is open to rest weary legs and enjoy an adult beverage (or two).

You can get information on lift passes and terrain status at the ski resorts website HERE.

And don’t forget to check out our lodging options if you want to stay the night or more!

See You On The Telluride Slopes in 2022!

Only 30 days until Telluride Ski Resort Opens!

The world famous gondola is closed until November 19th for maintenance and repair, which always signals the beginning of off-season here in Telluride. It’s a great time to get out and go for a brisk hike or bike ride before the snows really start falling in earnest.

We did receive a couple of snowfalls last week, resulting in spectacular views such as this:

The coming of off-season also results in many businesses shutting their doors for a few weeks to a month for deep clean, doing inventory and to just take a well earned break from the busy summer tourist season.

Below is a list of restaurants and their off-season schedule for your reference:

2021 Fall Offseason Restaurant schedules

Restaurant	Location	Off-Season Schedule
Cindybread	Lawson Hill	Closing early Nov. (Date TBD)
Counter Culture	Lawson Hill	Closed 10/24 – Week of 11/22 TBD
Allred’s	Mountain Village	Closed 10/17 – 11/24
Altezza	Mountain Village	Closed 10/24 – 11/23
The Bean Cafe @ The Peaks	Mountain Village	Closed 10/24-11/25
Black Iron Kitchen	Mountain Village	Closed 10/17-11/24
Crazy Elk	Mountain Village	Closed 10/30 – 11/14
La Piazza del Villagio	Mountain Village	Closed 10/17-11/23
La Pizzeria	Mountain Village	Closed 10/17 – TBD
Mountain Village Market	Mountain Village	Open
Poacher’s	Mountain Village	Open thru 10/17 then TBD.
Shake N Dog Grub Shack	Mountain Village	Open
Starbucks	Mountain Village	Closed 10/17-11/24
Talay	Mountain Village	Closed 10/18-11/25
Telluride Coffee Co.	Mountain Village	Open
Telluride Distillery	Mountain Village	Open
The Pick	Mountain Village	Open (weekdays after 10/18)
The View Bar & Grill	Mountain Village	Closed 10/18-11/21
Timber Room	Mountain Village	Closed 10/17-11/24
Tracks Café & Bar	Mountain Village	Closed 10/17 – 11/19
Village Table	Mountain Village	Closed 10/7-12/7
221 South Oak	Telluride	Closed 10/24 – 12/16
Alpinist & the Goat	Telluride	Open
Baked in Telluride	Telluride	Closed 10/18-11/1
Brown Dog	Telluride	Open
Butcher & The Baker	Telluride	Open
Caravan	Telluride	Closed 11/22-11/28
Cocina de Luz	Telluride	Open
Coffee Cowboy	Telluride	Open
Cornerhouse Grille	Telluride	Open (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Cosmopolitan	Telluride	Open (Closed Mondays and Tuesdays until Dec. 8)
Esperanza’s Tequilas	Telluride	Open
Floradora Saloon	Telluride	Closed 11/16 – 11/25
High Alpine Coffee	Telluride	Open
High Pie	Telluride	Closed 11/20-12/3
La Marmotte	Telluride	Closed 10/3-12/13
Last Dollar Saloon	Telluride	Closed 11/1-11/22
Lunch Money	Telluride	Open
Liberty Bar	Telluride	Closed 10/17 – 11/19
Little House	Telluride	Closed 10/31-12/4
New Sheridan Bar	Telluride	Closed 10/18 – 11/26
New Sheridan Chop House	Telluride	Closed 10/18 – 11/26
New Sheridan Roof Top	Telluride	Closed 10/18
O’Bannon’s Irish Pub	Telluride	Open
Oak	Telluride	Closed 10/30-TBD
Over the Moon	Telluride	Closed end of Oct. – early Dec.
Pescado	Telluride	Closed 10/1 – Early December
Rustico	Telluride	Open
Siam	Telluride	Closed 10/24-12/9
Sidework	Telluride	Closed 10/10-12/13
Smugglers	Telluride	Closed 10/31-11/20
Steamies Burger Bar	Telluride	Open
Telluride Truffle	Telluride	Open
The National	Telluride	Closed 10/21-12/8
The Phoenix Bean	Telluride	Closed 10/18 – 11/26
The Tunnel	Telluride	TBA
The West End Bistro	Telluride	Closed 10/24 – Late Nov.
There	Telluride	TBA
Tomboy Tavern	Telluride	Closed 10/16 – 11/21
Wok of Joy	Telluride	Closed 11/1-12/1
Wood Ear	Telluride	Closed 11/23-12/1
Stronghouse Brew Pub	Telluride	Closed 11/15 – 11/25
Historical Museum	Telluride	Closed 10/16 – 12/17

There is still a smattering of events going on for the rest of this month. Check out the TELLURIDE ARTS website for what’s going on!

And if you are considering a trip out to Telluride this winter season, don’t forget to check our lodging inventory and book sooner than later!

See you when the snow fall!

Telluride Horror Show is BACK!

Postponed last year because of Covid, the Telluride Horror Show is back this weekend, and bound to add chills and thrills to the dwindling autumn season here in Telluride!

The Telluride Horror Show brings a mix of horror, suspense, thriller, dark fantasy, sci-fi and dark comedy in Telluride’s unique theaters, with many of the films showing for the first time in the US.

what better way to spend a chilly fall weekend than with some spine chilling horror movies in Telluride!

There are also special guests, alternate programs and events, including the popular Pig Roast!

CHECK OUT the event website for more detailed information on schedules and tickets, and don’t forget to CHECK OUT our lodging site for lodging availability!

Only because today, it has to be done.

Do YOU remember the 21st day of September?

Happy 21st Day of September! The leaves are popping off here in the Telluride high country!

Time will start to run out fast to catch the amazing colors out here, so pick a weekend, hop in the car and drive on out! And don’t forget to CHECK OUT our lodging options for you stay here in Telluride!

And coming up this weekend is the TELLURIDE AUTUMN CLASSIC, formerly known as the Cars & Colors festival. If you like slick automobiles and beautiful scenery, this might be the festival for you!

Fall in Telluride is unparalleled. Sure, the other seasons are great, but there’s something about the crisp air and yellow aspens shaking in the breeze that makes you long to be in the great outdoors.

The Gondola

This is the fast and easy way to see everything Telluride has to offer in the fall, but without the stress (and with minimal effort). Board one of our famed gondolas and kick your feet up to enjoy a scenic trip from Telluride to Mountain Village. The gondola, which traverses eight miles in the San Juans, is completely free and is even pet-friendly! There’s no better way to experience Telluride in the fall.

Local’s Tip: Get off at the San Sophia station for stunning views of both the town of Telluride and Mt. Sneffels. Around the time the sun sets is the best – and if you’re lucky, you might catch an epic Alpenglow!

Hiking

In Telluride, you don’t have to go far to be engulfed in fall foliage. Take a stroll down the San Miguel River Trail or pick one of the many trails that begin right in the town of Telluride. Either way, there’s no shortage of stellar views.

Local’s Tip: The Jud Wiebe is a great way to catch the colors on the south side of the canyon, or the See Forever-Wasatch Connect provide stunning views of the north side of the canyon and beyond. For even more adventurous types, check out the Via Ferrata – and don’t forget to look around!

Biking

Biking is a great way to get all of the scenic views of the canyon! One of the best rides for the average rider is the Prospect Trail, a single-track trail that takes you through the ski area and down to Mountain Village. For more experienced riders, the Mountain Village Downhill Park can be quite the thrill. 

Local’s Tip: If you don’t have a bike, rent one! There are plenty of shops around town with the best bikes equipped to handle everything Telluride’s trails can throw at you.

Jeeping

Jeeping makes those hard-to-get-to leaf peeping spots much easier. Either rent your own Jeep from a local company or hire a guide to help you find the best spots. Choose from easy roads like Bridal Veil Falls or Ophir Pass, or challenge yourself with Imogene Pass or the infamous Black Bear Pass. 

Local’s Tip: Last Dollar Road is a relatively easy 4WD road that offers stellar views of Mount Wilson and the surrounding mountains. Weather-dependent, a regular 4WD vehicle can do it with little to no trouble.

Golf

Looking for a chill day but still hoping to enjoy the scenery? The Telluride Golf Club’s 18-hole par-70 course is nestled between majestic 13,000 and 14,000-foot peaks. Golfers tee off from 9,417 feet. We promise: it’ll be the most beautiful place you’ve ever played.

Festivals

Because honestly, there’s no better backdrop for a festival than Telluride. In the fall, Cars and Colors takes center stage. Other festivals, like the newly-minted Original Thinkers Festival and the Telluride Horror Show Film Festival also get plenty of love. The beloved Blues & Brews festival also takes place right before fall technically starts, but the air is crisp and the leaves are starting to change already.

Local’s Tip: Get a VIP pass if you come for Blues & Blues… you won’t regret it.

Sundance, Cannes and Telluride. Telluride may be small, but it holds its own against some of the biggest and brightest film festivals in the entire world. The annual celebration brings together cinema enthusiasts, filmmakers and artists to discover the best in world cinema in Telluride’s scenic box canyon. More than 50 films will be screened in 10 different venues all over town – but the selected films are kept a secret until right before the festival gets underway. 

The weekend is also filled with guest speakers, symposiums, discussions and meet and greets with the stars. Free movie and film screenings are also held in Telluride. 

Telluride is known for previewing Oscar-winning films in recent years, including Brokeback Mountain, Juno, Slumdog Millionaire, Roma and more. There were 35 total Oscar nominations for films played at the Telluride Film Festival in 2018.

Telluride may be a small town, but it has plenty of summer activities to partake in that are worth writing home about. Since it can be tough to choose exactly what you want to do on your vacation, we’ve gathered some of our favorite activities in Telluride and compiled them into a perfect five-day trip to our quaint town. Trust us, you won’t regret this trip (we’re already jealous over here).

Day 1 – Arrive in Telluride on a Tuesday

Yay! You’re here. Welcome to the best little box canyon town around.
First things first. Once you’ve settled into your vacation rental, it’s time to drink some water and take in the sights. Trust us, you may not feel thirsty, but it’ll help SO much when it comes to the altitude. 8,750 feet isn’t a joke.
The good news? You can drink water AND have fun at the same time. Stroll down Main Street and gander at Ajax Peak in all its glory. Window shop, stop for ice cream or a grilled cheese sandwich in Elks Park, and be sure to pet all of the local dogs walking around!
Did you know that Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in Colorado? It’s definitely a sight to take in at the end of the box canyon while exploring. Be sure to grab a classic photo in front of the Telluride flower box in the middle of the street.

Day 2 – Hike Telluride’s Most Popular Trail on Wednesday

Start your second day in Telluride off by hiking Bear Creek. The popular trail begins right in town, and takes you on a scenic, moderate, short hike to Bear Creek Falls, which overlooks the town of Telluride. This trail is beautiful and not too strenuous (it’s under three hours round trip). This makes for a great hike to further adjust to the altitude while getting to admire Telluride from above.

If you start early enough, you’ll be back in time for a delicious lunch on the La Cocina De Luz patio. Soak in those mountain rays while chowing down on fresh and authentic Mexican food.

Continue your day by taking advantage of one of Telluride’s most beloved activities: the free gondola to Mountain Village. Did you know more than 2.8 million riders use the gondola annually?

Day 3 – Thursday Gets Spooky

No, really! Start off your Thursday by hitting up Ghost Town on Telluride’s Main Street for a sweet latte and some of their famous avocado toast for breakfast. You’ll want a good breakfast for what’s ahead!

Spend the rest of your morning embarking on a tour of one of Telluride’s famous ghost towns. Our friends at Telluride Outside offer half- and full-day tours to some of the coolest 4WD accessible spots. The Alta Ghost town trip generally ventures to the Alta townsite and Ophir pass, a classic shelf road with unreal views. The Tomboy Ghost Town half-day trip is one of Telluride Outside’s most popular tours, with views from over 13,000 feet en route along Imogene Pass. Full-day trips include the option to return via Ophir Pass or Black Bear Pass (for the more adventurous clientele), while half-day trips return to Telluride on Tomboy Road.
If you’d rather venture the roads by yourself, Mountain Adventure Equipment offers high-end off-roading rentals, including a Toyota 4Runner TRD Pro and a Jeep Trailhawk.

When you return to Telluride, grab a bite at the Butcher and the Baker before riding the gondola up to Mountain Village for a free Movie Under the Stars, which are held Thursday nights throughout the summer.

Day 4 – SUP Dude?! on a Friday

You’ve all seen those bright yellow boards glowing against the clear blue lakes and the mountains looming in the background. Experience it yourself by renting stand-up paddleboards from Mountain Adventure Equipment. Not only will they deliver a high-end SOL paddle board to your vacation rental, but they’ll also drive them up to Trout Lake for you for an extra $25! They even pick them up, saving you the stress of lugging them anywhere and returning them. They also offer full- and half-day rentals.

After SUPing in the morning, do some shopping around town. Sublime is a local favorite for clothing, while HOOK has some amazing home décor and gifts for everyone. If you loved SUPing or want to prepare for Saturday’s adventure, Jagged Edge Mountain Gear is the go-to shop in town for outdoor performance gear.

To top off your day, visit the Sheridan Hotel’s epic rooftop for a specialty watermelon margarita. The views are unreal, and if you’re there at the right time, you might just catch a rainbow, or at least a beautiful sunset on Ajax.

Day 5 – Get High on Saturday

This is the day you’ve been waiting for – the Via Ferrata day. Telluride’s Via Ferrata, which means “iron road” in Italian, allows brave souls to trek along a rock face 600 feet above the town of Telluride below. While it’s possible to do it on your own, Mountain Trip also offers guided tours, complete with a guide, equipment, and all the support and advice you need to make it across the rocky ledge. Grab some food or some cheese and charcuterie from Over the Moon before you go to snack on.

Upon your return from the legendary Via Ferrata, it’s time to get ready for your last meal in town. Watch the Alpenglow from a panoramic seat at Allred’s, located at the top of the gondola, or choose an exquisite meal in town at the top-rated Cosmopolitan in Hotel Columbia. No matter what you choose, your last meal in town will be a memorable one!

Day 6 – Depart Telluride on Sunday

How soon is too soon to plan a trip back to Telluride? Pretty sure the answer is that it’s never too soon! Many of our town’s best units book up a year in advance, so be sure to start planning your next trip to visit us ASAP!

August Telluride Jazz Festival Month!

Whenever August rolls around, and the monsoon rains are in full swing, we turn our attention to the Telluride Jazz Festival, which returns after a hiatus during COVID last summer. Telluride Jazz fest is back this August! The festival is taking place this coming weekend, August 13-15, and features amazing acts from all over the country.

CLICK HERE to check out this year’s lineup!

Acts To Check Out!

There is a little bit of something for everyone this year at the Telluride Jazz Festival. With so much variety, it’s hard to pinpoint just one act as a must-see, but here are some of the acts we are looking forward to.

Budos Band

I have been wanting to see the Budos Band perform live for the past couple of years. I was bummed when Jazz Fest postponed last summer due to COVID-19, but they are back for this year’s edition! Budos Band is a wonderfully hip 9 piece afro-beats band that blends elements of Jazz, Afro-Funk, 60’s Soul and Psychedelic music. Check them out at the Opera House on Friday night, and on the Telluride Main Stage on Saturday evening.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band

The Preservation Hall Jazz Band is a staple of New Orleans style Jazz. They are always a treat to watch perform live. Named after the world famous venue from which this band was born, they seamlessly integrate traditional jazz elements into their otherwise modern approach to the music style. It’s danceable, listenable, and altogether fun. Check them out on the Telluride Main Stage on Saturday night, and at the Sheridan Opera House on Sunday night for the Final Waltz to close out the weekend.

Robert Glasper

Award winning Robert Glasper is a beast! World class pianist, record producer, arranger and songwriter, his ability to interweave traditional roots jazz with the ever shifting landscape of modern hip-hop, and R&B is nothing short of phenomenal. He won a Grammy with 2013’s release of “Black Radio”. It is well worth checking out his live performance on Friday night at the Telluride Main stage.

There are so many more acts to choose from, but the above three are the ones where you will most certainly see us.

And don’t forget, if you are in town for the festival, and need lodging, CHECK OUT our inventory! Even if it’s just one night to have a place to lay your weary jazzed out head, stay with us!

We’ll see you at the park this weekend!

The Rains Bring The Shrooms

We have been getting a steady amount of rain over the past 3 weeks. This is a good things. It not only helps stem the tide of the recent drought conditions, but also brings with it an abundance of wild fungi to forage. It’s mushroom season in Telluride!

The San Miguel Valley region has always had a very healthy mushroom growing season, but over the past few years, with dry weather and drought conditions persisting, they have often been harder to find than usual. This year, with the return of the late summer monsoons, the fungi are back!

My favorites are the Chantarelles, because they are delicious and easy to find and identify. But you can spot all types mushrooms in the area: Porcini, Boletes, Corts, Puffballs, Amanita and many many more.

Early morning is the best time to go out foraging. Don’t ask for our secret spots, those tend to be kept closely guarded, but let’s be real, part of the adventure is just picking an area and setting off into the great unknown.

Mushroom Festival

And don’t forget the mushroom festival coming August 18th-22nd. This Festival is a quirky one, and brings out mycological enthusiasts from all over the country to partake in some mushroom hunting, informational seminars, and of course the famous mushroom parade!

CLICK HERE for more information on the Festival and come enjoy mushroom season in Telluride!

And if you need a place to stay while you hunt, CHECK OUT our website for lodging availability.