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About Telluride
About Telluride
Telluride sits in a box canyon at 8,750 feet, with about 2,500 permanent residents. It started as a mining town and became a resort community, and it managed that change without erasing the mountain character it had to begin with. The setting, the recreation, and a cultural calendar of its own are what put it on the short list of Colorado destinations people know by name.
The mining years left the Victorian architecture behind, with colorful buildings along the main street and historic landmarks scattered through town. The Telluride Historical Museum and the Sheridan Opera House both cover that past. A free gondola links Telluride to Mountain Village, and it works as transportation and as the best view of the surrounding peaks you can get without hiking for it.
The ski reputation is earned. The resort has more than 2,000 acres of terrain that gives skiers and snowboarders of every ability something to work on, and the elevation keeps the snow in good shape through the season. Town is laid out for walking, so getting to the lifts and back down to a restaurant afterward does not require a car.
Once the snow goes, the hiking, mountain biking, and rock climbing take over. Trails run out from town into the San Juan Mountains toward alpine lakes, waterfalls, and viewpoints that open onto the whole range. The Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Telluride Film Festival have both built international followings and bring in people from far outside Colorado for the cultural scene.
The town takes environmental preservation and sustainable tourism seriously, which is a large part of why the surroundings have held up. The arts community and the restaurants give people something to do when the weather turns, and they hold their own next to the outdoor side of the place.
- Population
- 2,500
- Elevation
- 8,750 ft
- Best time
- Summer & Winter
- Known for
- Skiing & Festivals
What makes Telluride worth the trip?
Telluride started as a mining town and the bones of that are still here, set down in a box canyon with mountains closing in on three sides. It's a real ski town that didn't sand off all its rough edges, and the canyon walls mean the views start the second you arrive.
When should I visit Telluride?
Winter is for skiing and the lifts run accordingly. Summer brings the festivals and the high-country trails open up, and because the town sits high in the San Juan Mountains it stays cool even in July. Spring and fall are quieter if you'd rather not deal with crowds.
What is there to do outside in Telluride?
Skiing is the headline in winter, but summer is when the trails into the San Juans really pay off, with routes leading up to alpine lakes and waterfalls. You don't have to go far. Plenty of good hiking starts right at the edge of town.
What are the big festivals in Telluride?
Two events put Telluride on the map: the Telluride Bluegrass Festival and the Telluride Film Festival, both of which draw people from well beyond the Western Slope. There's plenty more on the calendar through the year, but those two are the ones people plan trips around.
How do I get to Telluride?
You can drive in on Highway 145, fly into the Telluride Regional Airport, or take the shuttle up from Montrose if mountain flights make you nervous. Once you're in town you won't need the car much, since Telluride is small and easy to get around on foot.
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