Telluride Ski Resort is Tantamount to Fun

Lowering the Goods

Not long after I returned home from my month of travels back east, I tuned in to the constant comings and goings of a helicopter whirring in the skies near my little slopeside apartment.  There was so much activity, in fact, that I said a prayer for the people involved since choppers in the mountains typically mean a search and rescue mission.  My concern swelled until someone enlightened me, informing me that the copter operation concerned the ski area; these workhorses of the sky had been engaged to deliver lift shacks, towers and other materials to an elevation of over 12,000 feet for the installation of the new Revelation Lift.  Oh, of course, I thought to myself and my mood quickly changed from one of dread to elation.

I chatted about Revelation Lift and more with Dave Riley, CEO of Telluride Ski and Golf, during a recent Travel Fun interview.  Entering his second year on the job, Dave has a lot to be proud of at Telluride Ski Resort.  He has been instrumental in opening up a bunch of new terrain including Palmyra Peak, Black Iron Bowl, Gold Hill Chutes 6-10 and now Revelation Bowl which will be ready to go with the start of this new ski season.  

Veteran Ski Patrolman Surveys the Terrain

“I have to give the ski patrol a lot of credit for most of these openings,” Dave said during our interview.  Much avalanche control work was required to pave the way for the public and ski patrol did double time with this last winter, particularly since it was a banner snow year.  It seems that almost as a reward to them, Dave went ahead and leased some fancy Howitzers from the U.S. Army; these 105 mm artillery weapons certainly pack enough punch to trigger slides far out on the peaks and couloirs.  New snowcats have also been acquired, high-performing mountain monsters that will be winched up on at least a couple of the trails off of the Revelation Lift to guarantee some nice corduroy for those of us looking to take a break from the bumps.  

I was thrilled to learn that most of the runs off of Revelation—the highest lift on the mountain which also happens to be above tree line—are single black diamonds.  (Oh, what did you think I was hardcore?)  “It’s like a high alpine, European bowl,” Dave says.  “It’s a great snow catcher and the views are extraordinary.”

Virgin Revelation Bowl

The scenery here is probably what best sets Telluride apart from most other mountain resorts in the country.  “We have the largest concentration of 13,000 to 14,000-foot peaks here,” Dave points out.  “It’s like the Swiss Alps of America.”  We both agree, too, that the combination of the old mining town of Telluride (a National Historic District) with Mountain Village, a more recent European-styled assortment of buildings and homes works well together to suit the needs of both residents and visitors.  Both are connected by a gondola, providing free transportation and outstanding views to all that ride it from the wee hours of the morning until midnight.

Dave Riley Atop Palmyra Peak

Dave, an incredibly passionate skier that has worked in many top destinations throughout the West, travels to four to six different ski areas a season.  Sure, he’s a little biased but I can tell he’s sincere when he talks about how Telluride offers an unparalleled ski experience in North America.  “Telluride is consistently good,” he emphasizes.  “There are no lift lines here, there’s good sunny weather and the snow is great.”  

At this point, I tap into the ski instructor within me and mention that we enjoy great teaching terrain in Telluride as well.  “There’s a good balance for beginner, intermediate, expert and even extreme skiers and boarders,” I add.  

“Our Ski and Snowboard School is unmatched,” Dave volleys back.  “The instructors provide great instruction with a real personalized touch.”  

Fabuleux!  I scored one for the home team.  I almost added that we all try really hard as well but I didn’t want to blur the line too much between radio interviewer/travel writer and ski instructor, especially with my boss.  One thing’s for sure:  We all share an immense enthusiasm for the mountain and that passion is conveyed to every person we encounter.  Dave exudes it as well which is probably partly why he’s been able to improve so much on an already darn good thing.

Telluride Ski Resort, 970-728-6900, www.tellurideskiresort.com; be sure to check out Dave’s blog at that site.

Dave’s Book Pick

“Ski the 14ers:  A Visual Tribute to Colorado’s 14,000-foot Peaks from the Eyes of a Ski Mountaineer,” by Chris Davenport.  Ski mountaineering is one of Dave Riley’s personal passions.  

Now Warm Up that Baby---Ski Season is Almost Here!