Curator’s statement
Where the San Juan Mountains meet quiet luxury, Telluride offers adventures and an epic ski week. Whether you visit in the winter to ski all day or adventure in the summer, Telluride has something for everyone. The free gondola that connects Mountain Village to town offers easy access between the otherwise 25 minute drive, and both areas offer upscale boutique hotels, incredible views, and delectable food options.
The Fora Difference
Book with Brittany to access exclusive perks and experiences on your trip.
Killer perks
Free upgrades, spa credits and more—we got you
Personalized recs
Customized travel planning for your style
Insider knowledge
Expert advice from people who’ve actually been there
Where to stay in Telluride
Unlock perks by contacting Brittany to book your trip.
Things to do in Telluride
Snowmobiling (with Telluride Outside) in the National Forest.
Skiing: Telluride quickly became one of our favorite mountains in Colorado to ski. You can take lifts to the top and still have access to green/blue runs. We personally loved Prospect Bowl and See Forever Run, where the conditions were great and the views incredible.
Snowmobiling with Telluride Outside: Telluride Outside led a wonderful ½ day snowmobile adventure. They picked us up from our hotel, took us to an area in Telluride and we rode over 15 miles through National Forests. It was such a fun adventure morning for us and highly recommend outfitting with Telluride Outside.
Gondola into Telluride: Telluride has a free gondola that connects Mountain Village to the town of Telluride, which offers incredible views on both sides of the mountain. It is breathtaking to experience at sunset.
Hot Tub/Pools at The Madeline Hotel: The Madeline Hotel offers two hot tubs and an outdoor heated pool to their guests, which was delightful after a full day of skiing. It overlooks the ski runs and was plenty popular after skiing. Madeline Hotel also offers s’mores in the afternoon once the slopes close.
Wagner Ski Factory Tour: Wagner makes custom skis in Telluride, and the Madeline Hotel offered us a free tour of the Ski Factory. It was such a cool experience to hear how the skis are made and see each step of the process.
Live music in Mountain Village: Each afternoon, Mountain Village will have live music in the square for hours for patrons to enjoy.
Places to eat & drink in Telluride
Alpino Vino Dinner at the top of Telluride.
Alpino Vino: Once-in-a-lifetime experience to snowcat up to 11,900’ and have dinner (with a wine pairing) at one of the highest wine bars in the world. The restaurant only sits about 15 people and reservations are hard to come by, unless you book early. It is not an everyday dining experience (or expense), however the food & experience was one of our top five ever.
Tracks: This bar in Mountain Village had some of the best Loaded & Korean Nachos we have ever had. No reservations, right next to the Gondola and absolutely delicious food.
221 South Oak: A beautiful restaurant in Telluride (1 block from the Gondola) and Eliza (owner & chef) was a gem! Small restaurant, wonderful ambiance, and the food was spectacular.
Black Iron: Located in the Madeline Hotel in Mountain Village, we ate here our first night and had one of the best filets. We continued to enjoy Black Iron’s food as breakfast was included with our stay. Their breakfast options and food were delicious.
Smugglers Union Brewery: Located in Telluride, a short walk from the Gondola and a great brewery to enjoy a casual dinner. They had a ton of gluten-free options and their elk bolognese (gluten-free) was absolutely delicious.
Bon Vivant: Located on the ski mountain and a beautiful wine bar with a beautiful setting (all outside) overlooking the mountains and slopes. They did not have a ton of gluten-free options, however, the French onion soup was delicious!
Tomboy Tavern: Located in the Mountain Village near the slopes with a great patio to sit on a blue-bird day. The food was delicious, beautiful views, and great cocktails/drinks.
Brown Dog Pizza: Located in Telluride, a short walk from the Gondola and a great place to find amazing pizza. They do not take reservations, so we got there early, and I thoroughly enjoyed their gluten free Detroit-style pizza. It was a great pizza place to grab a bite to eat.
Timber Room: Located in the Madeline Hotel (in Mountain Village), Timber Room was a great place to grab a small bite, drinks, or dessert. We had a delicious gluten-free chocolate mousse dessert which was to die for. Their whiskey and wine menus were extensive and we loved the ambiance.
Need to know
The gondola between Mountain Village & Telluride is extremely useful and you don’t need a car once you get to the area (we did not move our car the entire five days we were there).
Telluride Outside is a fantastic outfitter and has tours for everyone. They picked us up from our hotel and we loved our snowmobiling adventure.
Make dining reservations early so you can get into places. Even when Telluride was in their slow ski season (end of January/early February), the restaurants we ate at were booked out. The food is incredible!
If you are driving to Telluride, stop by Black Canyon in the Gunnison National Park to experience the vast canyons.
Travel Advisor
Brittany O’Brien
Get in touch with Brittany
Did you like this guide? Reach out to customize and book your own experience. Or, just to chat about travel in general.
You can expect a response from Brittany within 1–2 business days. You’ll also be subscribed to our traveler newsletter (you can unsubscribe at any time).
For more travel inspiration and insider recommendations, check out our Telluride page.