Yay for Skiing, Riding & Holiday Making in Telluride

Telluride, Colorado

Telluride Town All Wrapped Up for the Holidays

Yay, it’s December! Yay, the ski area is open! Double yay, we have a good amount of fresh snow–a season total of over fifty inches so far! Yay, it’s the most beautiful time of the year in the most picturesque mountain town in America. Really. Telluride, Colorado gives festive new meaning all winter long and most especially right now and throughout these upcoming weeks.

Driving Toward the Mountain

Getting Closer

After a super warm and dry November, the Telluride Ski Resort lifts are finally powering  us up to the tops of the mountains we love so dearly.

Do you remember how you felt on Christmas Eve when you were a child? Well, that’s how many of us have been feeling lately. The excitement is palpable; it seems that just the thought of cruising down the hill basking in the fun and freedom that’s part of most every on-mountain experience has half the town giddy. I woke up at 5:30 in the morning on opening day in anticipation of the thrill of being out on the hill.

My Neighborhood

Even the Driving Is Fun

Although Telluride opened a week later than usual with just a handful of trails, more terrain will be available to us as of this Saturday. Then more after that, then more and more until the whole mountain reveals its full splendor. It’s like unwrapping presents during the Christmas season–it’s wonderful to savor opening them piecemeal instead of unfurling all faster than you can sip an egg nog. To me, holiday gifting is at it’s best when I give and receive packages over an extended period. And no, I can’t imagine the ski mountain opening up full-on on opening day. My legs couldn’t handle it! I’m still recovering from the three days on the hill I enjoyed this past weekend.

Me on Opening Day

If you don’t live in T-ride, consider planning a pre-holiday getaway. This is when you can snatch up some great lodging deals and even some fresh pow before the Christmas crowds charge in. Voted #1 for scenery by SKI magazine, Telluride, Colorado truly is the prettiest mountain town in America, a Victorian gem that glitters even more brightly during the holiday season. Believe me, the views of both the mountains and the town rank among the most magical in the world. And that’s coming from a gal that lived eleven years in Paris, the City of Light extraordinaire.

Blowing Snow

I have to wrap up this post now so that I can head out to Noël Night one of the headline events of the season. Don’t worry, there’s more fun to come–from now through the New Year.

Best of all, you can still find great lodging, restaurant and spa deals through December 24 (and beyond, in some cases). You also can revel in free airfare throughout most of the season on flights originating from Denver and Los Angeles. Yes, that’s not a typo–see below for details.

So why not come here to ski, shop, celebrate or just get away from it all in one of the most  festive places on earth?

There’s nothing like a great ski day, particularly when it happens in Telluride, Colorado. And the time spent afterward in the shops, restaurants, bars and hotels is vraiment magique.

Happy holidays to all!

Admiring Elk in the Alpen Glow: Another Reward of December Skiing

Check out the specials from my favorite lodgers in Telluride: the New Sheridan Hotel, Mountain Lodge Telluride, The Peaks Resort & Spa, Inn at Lost Creek and Telluride Resort Lodging. Go to my Faves page to read more about what I’ve written on these landmark properties over the years. See below for more details on current news and special offers.

Getting Ready for Christmas

The Ski Tree

Visit Telluride Tourism to find out about the Holiday Prelude activities lined up in the town of Telluride and Telluride Mountain Village these upcoming weeks. Aside from Noël Night, one of my other best loved holiday times takes place in Telluride Mountain Village when Santa appears on the scene (often on the ski slopes with his elves). This year there will be a sleigh-full of activities taking place Saturday, December 17, including ice skating, free holiday movies and tree lighting and caroling. Be sure to check out Bootdoctors for some of the best holiday cheer around.

Our Beloved Gondola

Mark your calendar for Tuesday, December 20 from 6 to 9pm at Club Red, when Telluride will be celebrating the 20-year anniversary of its beloved gondola. Here’s to the most fabulous gondola in the world–not only does it offer jaw-dropping views in a friendly, fast, efficient and super clean manner, but it remains free to all year-round! Come and toast this Telluride icon at this party that’s sure to be memorable.

Telluride Ski Resort Firing Up the Guns

Telluride Ski Resort

The biggest buzz on the mountain is that Telluride Ski Resort has joined The Mountain Collective, a superlative collaboration among the world’s best ski resorts. If you purchase The Mountain Collective Pass, you’re entitled to an avalanche of free ski days in over a dozen first-class resorts as well as lots of other perks and privileges. In Telluride, for example, Collective guests enjoy ski benefits as well as a special lodging offer at The Peaks Resort & Spa. And that’s just for starters; check out The Mountain Collective for more.

Mountain Lodge Telluride

Mountain Lodge Telluride

This elegant mountain property offers a cozy cabin of lodging specials now through December 24. Keep checking in throughout the season for other exciting deals as well. New this year:  Lunch at The View, Mountain Lodge’s signature restaurant, which also serves breakfast, après ski and dinner. Ski in for delicious food at excellent prices served within a spectacular great room. And as you might have guessed, the view ranks among the best in Telluride. (Read my story on The View and Chef Bud here.)

New Sheridan Hotel and Chop House Restaurant & Bar

New Sheridan Hotel Chop House Restaurant & Bar

Indulge me while I sigh over this oh-so lovely hotel, restaurant and bar. No one can hide their affection for the beloved New Sheridan, let alone me. I could live the rest of my days at the New Sheridan Hotel, Restaurant & Bar. Considered the hub of Telluride for over a century, this historic gem may be considered the cherry on the cake of our town. I love the fact that despite their world-renowned reputation, they, too, offer sweet deals on lodging, food and adventures.

FREE AIR

OK, I think here I’ve saved the best for last. Telluride Ski Resort and Mountain Lodge Telluride will be offering free flights to travelers originating from Denver and Los Angeles throughout the 2017 ski season, provided people book a stay at their properties. Mountain Lodge requires a three-night stay minimum; Telluride Ski Resort, which includes The Peaks Resort & Spa, Inn at Lost Creek and Telluride Resort Lodging, extends this offer with varying requirements, depending on the property. Promotions are subject to availability and some restrictions may apply, however, either way, this is a screaming deal.

Call Telluride Ski Resort at 877-635-3792 and Mountain Lodge Telluride at 866-368-6867 to chat about the particulars and/or to reserve. Be sure to mention the Free Air package!

Yay for travel to the Rocky Mountain West. Yay for deals in Telluride, Colorado.

Here’s wishing you a great season!