Why Telluride

Telluride Ski Resort Backdropped by the Majestic San Juan Mountains of the Rockies

Here it is the last week of the ski season here at Telluride, the ski resort where I work and play. It’s hard to believe—it always comes way too fast. And we’re going out in full glory since it’s been snowing lots this past week and there’s more in the forecast. That’s always how it goes it seems. If you have the chance, take those extra vacation days off from work and hit the slopes as many days as possible. If not, start planning your stay for next year since Telluride Ski Resort truly is tops in the country.

Dave Riley

I sat down with Dave Riley, the ski area’s CEO, during the height of the season and interviewed him for my Travel Fun radio show. Click on the link below to listen to that program and to hear both of us chat about why T-ride is so great.

Click to play the Dave Riley interview

I’ve also composed a list of my top ten reasons why Telluride Ski Resort has so much appeal. Believe me, it was hard limiting the selling points to ten and if you’re lucky enough to experience our mountain, you’ll understand why.

My T-ride Top Ten

You’ll be dazzled by the scenery.

The mountain boasts a great variety of terrain for all levels of skiers.

Telluride Ski & Snowboard School consistently rates as one of the top ski schools in the country. It’s a great teaching mountain.

Skiing Bushwacker, One of T-ride’s Renowned Steeps

You’ll be in awe of some of the longest and steepest groomed runs in America.

Telluride Ski Resort dazzles experts with some of the best hike-to and side-country skiing in the country.

Just Like in the Alps: Gold Hill Stairs

Lift lines are practically nonexistent.

The lifties are both super friendly and cool. In fact everyone that works at Telluride Ski Resort sports an incredibly welcoming and service-oriented attitude.

In T-ride, you’ll discover a strong ski culture that makes it anything but a cookie-cutter resort. Indeed, the dining, lodging and shopping experiences in the town of Telluride and Telluride Mountain Village are both world-class and authentic.

Chairlift rides here offer spectacular ski shows, punctuated by stellar skiers and boarders carving up the hill.

A free gondola links the historic mining town of Telluride to the base of the ski resort and the town of Mountain Village.

Telluride’s Gondola By Night

Check out this video for a lovely glimpse of winter in Telluride.

For more of my own impressions of Telluride Ski Resort, check out Telluride Ski Resort is Tantamount to Fun, Winter in Telluride:  Loving the Snow, Training and Turns, Family Fun Facilitators, Snowboardcross World Cup:  Telluride Goes International, Playing Tourist in T-ride, Ski Instructors in Training:  Precision Skiing 201, Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!

Thank you to the Telluride Ski Resort, Brad Foley, Gus Gusciora and Ben Eng for the above images.

Please note that as of fall 2012, Dave Riley is no longer involved with the Telluride Ski Resort. The information presented above, however, is still quite accurate.