Outdoor Enthusiast's Colorado Nirvana

Depending on the season you visit, Telluride will keep you busy. Skiing is the main winter activity, with options for ice climbing, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing as well. The ski mountain has recently expanded to include back bowls and hiking options for the more advanced skier. The terrain is varied to satisfy any ability, with many high-speed quad lifts and great on-mountain restaurants for lunch and après ski.

Visiting in the summer opens a Pandora’s Box of outdoor activities, with never enough time for them all. One can hike out of town up Bear Creek Trail to a set of cascading waterfalls, or take a jeep road at the end of the valley up to Bridal Veil Falls as well. Fishing on the San Miguel River is popular, as are the miles of endless single-track mountain-biking trails. There are plenty of adventure companies in town waiting to take you out on guided tours, and all equipment can be rented in town, from bikes to fishing rods. By far, the most popular activity is hiking and camping, however. The entire region is stunning and lends itself to some of the best hiking trails in the country.

Quick Tips:

Be sure to check the local calendar of events before you plan to visit, as Telluride is host to many festivals throughout the year. The Wine, Bluegrass, Film, and Mountain Film Festivals are some of the most popular that attract visitors from around the globe. The town is small, so if you are not going to partake in a particular festival, it would be wise to go on an off weekend. Hotels and restaurants can get very full during some of the high-season events.

Best Way To Get Around:

You do not need a car once you get to Telluride, but actually arriving can be somewhat arduous, seeing as the town is located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains in southwestern Colorado and the nearest major airport is 1 hour away in Montrose, Colorado. There is also a smaller local airport in Telluride, but not as many carriers land there, and it is often expensive to fly directly in. Regardless, there are shuttle buses from Montrose and the local airport as well to bring you right into town.

Once you have arrived, the best way to get around is to walk. You can get from one end of town to the other in a brisk 20-minute walk or take the local shuttle bus down Main Street. There is a free gondola that takes skiers, pedestrians, and "commuters" from the town into the Mountain Village (heart of the ski mountain) and back again from early morning until midnight.

Best Things Nearby:
The grounds are an easy walk into downtown Telluride, so there is no need for a car.

Best Things About the Resort:
It is right on the San Miguel river, and the night stars could not be more magestic.

Resort Experience:
There is a nice campground at the far end of town for both tent and RV hookups. It is based on a first-come, first-serve basis and can get very busy during high summer months and particular festival weekends. If you get there early, you can get a great tent site right on the river. There are about 30 sites available in total.

• Campground Type: Private
• Campsite Type: Camper/Trailer
• Price Range: $20 - $30
• Cleanliness: Excellent
• Campground Facilities: Excellent
• Recreational Facilities: Excellent
• Campsite Satisfaction: Excellent
• Family Friendliness: Excellent
• Service: Excellent

The New Sheridan is one of the oldest hotels in town, and the bar associated with it is one of the hottest spots in town. The scene is the closet you will get to an old saloon-style bar, where the crowd ranges from locals and local "cowboys" to visiting celebrities. They have a stocked bar and three pool tables in the back. It is a great place to meet friends and hang with the local crowd. The hotel attached is quite upscale (as is all of Telluride), so this is a nice saloon-style bar in the heart of town.