Telluride, Colorado, USA

Known for its unparalleled natural beauty, history and unique lifestyle, Telluride is a truly magical retreat set in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Hovering at 8,750 feet above sea level, Telluride sits in a box canyon surrounded by stunning thirteen- and fourteen-thousand-foot mountains. A booming mining town from the late 1880s, Telluride produced a rich supply of zinc, lead, copper, iron, silver and gold. The town wears its mining history proudly with a carefully preserved downtown that has been designated a National Historic Landmark District, and boasts gingerbread Victorian homes, charming brick store fronts – including the first bank Butch Cassidy robbed – and the colorful cabins that were once part of Telluride’s red-light district of Popcorn Alley. These, together with the ghost towns, trails and disused mines in the basins high above the town, serve as a reminder of the town’s rowdy beginnings.

As the last of the mining operations began to wind down in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Telluride discovered the white gold of abundant snow, leading to the construction of the first ski lifts and the opening of the Telluride Ski Area in 1972. With this, the area saw a new generation of adventurers and dreamers who flocked to this majestic location. With a population of roughly 4,000 year-round locals, residents old and new have their own unique love stories of how they found Telluride.

Perched above Telluride at the base of the ski area is the sister community of Mountain Village. With an elevation of 9,545 feet, Mountain Village offers world-class, luxury hotels, spas and dining options, stunning views of the surrounding peaks and the best of alpine living. The Village is also home to the Telluride Golf Club, where golfers can play 18 holes ringed by the sublime beauty of the mountains. Connecting the two communities is the free Gondola, the only transportation system of its kind in North America, which provides a remarkable 15-minute journey with views and a uniqueness that is unforgettable.

Telluride’s qualities have not gone unnoticed. The town and its ski areas have received numerous and high-profile accolades in recent years. For the third year running, the Telluride Ski Resort was voted America’s best ski resort by Condé Nast Traveler. The magazine also named Telluride one of the Best American Cities for Foodies. Fodor’s travel guide put Telluride on its top-10 list of Best Ski Towns for Foodies. And, SKI magazine has named a host of local hotels and inns to its “best of” list.

Telluride’s summer season has also attracted attention with the town hosting a number of internationally known and respected festivals, including the Telluride Film Festival, the Telluride Bluegrass Festival, the Telluride Blues and Brews Festival and MountainFilm in Telluride, to name a few. 

With excellent skiing in the winter, a diverse summertime festival season and exquisite dining and nightlife throughout, Telluride truly has it all.