Telluride, A Skiers Paradise In The San Juan Mountains
An old mining town reinvents itself as a skiing wonderland.
A couple of weeks ago, we hopped on a plane for a fun family getaway to Colorado. My son and I are passionate skiers, and we’d been eagerly waiting all winter to hit some big mountain terrain. While my wife doesn’t ski, this trip was a great opportunity for her to reconnect with friends, soak in the mountain vibes, enjoy a massage, and maybe check out a few local breweries.
If you haven’t heard of Telluride, it’s tucked away in the remote southwestern corner of Colorado—about six and a half hours from Denver. Once a rugged mining town, Telluride has transformed into a luxurious mountain retreat, with sprawling homes dotting the hillsides. A glance at the real estate listings might raise your eyebrows, but don’t let that scare you off. We've managed to find reasonably priced accommodations during both February and March.
Telluride’s Historic Past
The area of Telluride was originally home to th
e Ute people. European settlers didn’t arrive until the mining boom in the 1870’s. Gold and silver mined from the nearby mountains led to an increase in mining camps. The area gained notoriety in 1889 when Butch Cassidy robbed his bank there. Mining sustains the town for decades but began to decline significantly by the mid-20th century.
Facing near abandonment, Telluride reinvented itself. Visionaries established the Telluride Ski Resort, which opened in 1972. This sparked a transformation from a fading mining town into a world-class, year-round destination.
Today, Telluride is known for its challenging ski terrain, stunning mountains, vibrant arts scene, and famous festivals, including the Telluride Film Festival and Bluegrass Festival.
Winter Adventures
A couple of weeks ago, we hopped on a plane for a fun family getaway to Colorado. My son and I are passionate skiers, and we’d been eagerly waiting all winter to hit some big mountain terrain. While my wife doesn’t ski, this trip was a great opportunity for her to reconnect with friends, soak in the mountain vibes, enjoy a massage, and maybe check out a few local breweries.
If you haven’t heard of Telluride, it’s tucked away in the remote southwestern corner of Colorado—about six and a half hours from Denver. Once a rugged mining town, Telluride has transformed into a luxurious mountain retreat, with sprawling homes dotting the hillsides. A glance at the real estate listings might raise your eyebrows, but don’t let that scare you off. We've managed to find reasonably priced accommodations during both February and March.
The highlight of winter in Telluride is, without a doubt, the skiing. The mountain offers something for everyone—from wide groomers to steep chutes—and thanks to its remote location, the lift lines are refreshingly short compared to the more crowded resorts near Denver.
Both times we visited, we stayed near Lift 7, right in the town of Telluride. It gave us easy access to the slopes and the bonus of being able to walk to restaurants and shops downtown—a perfect base for both skiing and après.
For those who don’t ski or just want to explore beyond the slopes, the gondola is less than a 10-minute walk away. It’s a scenic ride over the ridge to Mountain Village, where you’ll find even more dining and shopping options. Best of all, it’s free and runs from early morning until after midnight, depending on the day.
The true standout of the trip, though, was a heli-skiing day in the San Juan Mountains. It had been on my bucket list for years, and now that my son was finally old enough, we got to experience it together.
The day kicked off with an avalanche safety briefing before we geared up and headed out to the helicopter to begin our adventure.
When I tell people we went heli-skiing, they often imagine us jumping out of a hovering chopper, skis on, like a Red Bull video. That would be wild—but not exactly accurate. In reality, the helicopter lands each time and we simply step out—no skydiving required.
We ended up doing six incredible runs with a lunch break in the middle. Our guide was fantastic—knowledgeable, professional, and fun—making sure we stayed safe while chasing untouched powder and steering clear of avalanche zones. It was everything I’d hoped for and more.
If you don’t ski, there’s still plenty to do in Telluride. From hiking and biking to nature walks and snowshoeing, the area is packed with outdoor adventures year-round.
Sitting around 8,870 feet above sea level, Telluride’s weather can shift quickly, so it’s smart to be prepared for a bit of everything. On our last trip, we lucked out with spring-like conditions—overnight lows in the 20s, but daytime temperatures climbed into the 40s and even 50s. It was warmer than I usually prefer for skiing, but perfect for enjoying lunch outside and soaking up some sunshine.
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