Over a foot of snow has fallen in the Telluride region! We are finally getting some of that wonderful frozen Colorado sky water! A nice big storm rolled through our region yesterday and last night, dropping over a foot of snow in most places! Check out Telluride Ski Resort’s snow report HERE.
With the delay of the traditional opening of the ski resort this week, it would be appropriate to give a rundown of all the happenings in Telluride this week. There is always more to our town than just skiing.
Wednesday, Nov. 24th
“Roots” Ski Movie – Telluride Premier at The Telluride Conference Center, 5-7PM. More information HERE
Thursday, Nov 25th (TURKEY DAY!)
Special Thanksgiving Menus are available at the following Restaurants:
Allred’s – (970) 728-7474 for more information and reservations
Altezza – (970)728-2525 for more information and reservations
2021 San Miguel County Turkey Trot 5k – Fun Run/Walk – Register and learn more HERE
EAT TURKEY!
Friday, Nov 26th
Gondola Art Installation Unveiling. Location: Heritage Plaza and Mountain Village Center. Time: 3-7. Learn more about artists and the event HERE
Miscellaneous Goings On!
Telluride Outside
https://www.tellurideoutside.com/offering 1/2 and full day fishing excursions on the San Miguel River and full day on the Uncompahgre outside of Ridgway
4WD tours every day from 11:00-3:00. Rather than the typical high mountain pass tours, the tours will be a low mountain scenic ride. Click HERE for details:
San Juan Adventures
Weather dependent they are offering hiking/snowshoeing, ice climbing, rock climbing and fat tire biking. More info HERE
Public Skating
Click HERE for information on ice skating at the Hanley Rink!
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!
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!
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!
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!
The leaves are starting to changes, the days are getting shorter, and the temperatures are dropping! To us locals here in Telluride, this always signals the time of year to start thinking about gearing up for the upcoming ski season!
Skis come out of the garages to get tuned and boots and clothes come out of storage. But the most important feature is making sure to secure your pass for the season!
Head over to the Telluride Ski & Golf Website to get the latest information on current pass pricing and sales events. But don’t delay, because pricing goes up after September 30th!
And don’t forget to check out our inventory of ski-in/ski-out lodging to start planning your next winter trip to Telluride!
Ski Season is almost here and we couldn’t be happier!
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!