13 Dec 2011, 7:43pm
Colorado Cycling Podcasts Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride The Rockies Travel: Colorado Cycling Podcasts Skiing & Snowboarding Telluride The Rockies Travel
by maribeth
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Telluride, Colorado: A Real Winter Wonderland

Main Street, Telluride

It’s that time of year again, the frosty season when you stand on main street in Telluride, Colorado and feel like you can reach out and touch the massive, snowy peaks in front of you. Sure, this view is nothing short of spectacular all year long yet in winter, the light and the snow render these looming monoliths even more awe-inspiring. Add to that old Western and Victorian buildings blanketed in snow, folks trudging through the streets with ski gear in tow, puppies and people practically skipping down the street—and suddently you realize it’s a Norman Rockwell scene like none you’ve ever taken in before.

Elk on the Valley Floor at the Entrance of Town

Yep, that’s Telluride and it’s no wonder once people come here, they return time after time again. I sat down recently with Michael Martelon, head of the Telluride Tourism Board, during a Travel Fun radio show program, to talk about the magical season of wintertime in this world-renowned mountain destination in southwestern Colorado. In our interview, Michael talks about the typical Telluride visitor, who they are and the Tourism Board’s approach to marketing T-ride.

“We’re the antithesis of Disney,” Michael says. And I agree, citing that the authenticity of Telluride is what I think people most appreciate here. I even go so far as to compare Telluride to Paris, two places I know and love well. Beauty, sophistication, genuineness and a funky, hip side characterize these two singular destinations in my opinion. (There’s also the City of Light connection, but that’s a whole other blog post that I hope to write soon.)

Tune in to our interview to hear about all there is to do in Telluride during the winter season in addition to skiing and riding on the mountain. “It’s just amazing the kaleidoscope of things you can do when you’re not skiing,” Michael says. This is exactly why I encourage people to come to Telluride even if they’re not big skiers or boarders. Between the charming shopping scene, our excellent spas and world-class dining, there’s more than enough to keep you busy when you’re off the slopes.

Plus, who can beat this drop-dead gorgeous scenery? You can just sit in a lodge and gaze at it from a cozy corner for hours. So much for reading a good book.

Numerous events mark the winter season in Telluride, including Noél Night and the Snowboard World Cup, a huge international gathering that also takes place in December.

Michael and I conclude our chat with a brief discussion about the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, a terrific bike race, that will be coming to Telluride in August 2012 for the finish of the first stage. Wow, that’s just one more reason for me to tout Telluride.

Hope to see you around this winter!

Click on the play button below to listen to my interview with Michael Martelon, head of the Telluride Tourism Board.