You will never experience a first time visit to Telluride again, so it is important if this is your first time, it is as spectacular as you always dreamed it would be. You deserve to experience all that Telluride has to offer, to eat at the best restaurants, and to relax in the most comfortable and luxurious environs, and since you have chosen Accommodations in Telluride for your Colorado retreat, you’ve accomplished the last, and we would like to help you accomplish the first two items on this list. This ultimate first time Telluride visitor guide has been created to ensure that your first time visit will be one that dreams are made of, setting an example for all vacations that follow.
Winter Is for Skiing
Telluride is a four-season vacation destination, but we would be lying if we didn’t tell you that a winter vacation wouldn’t be the same without experiencing some of our world-class winter sports as listed below.
Telluride Ski Resort, Mountain Village
World-renowned and often considered to be one of the best resorts in Colorado, the San Juan Mountains of Telluride Ski Resort offer more than 2000 skiable acres and 149 trails with a difficulty breakdown of 23% beginner, 36% intermediate, and 41% expert. Snowboarders are welcomed at Telluride, which also offers three terrain parks for that purpose as well as offering lessons for both skiers and snowboarders. Restaurants on the mountain are plentiful, and although we are going to discuss the restaurant selections in Telluride in greater detail further down the page, we do want to mention that a visit to Allred’s for dinner is the perfect solution for your special occasion dining needs.
Telluride Nordic Center, 500 E Colorado Avenue
Downhill skiing isn’t the only snow adventure you can enjoy during your time in Telluride, and the Telluride Nordic Center is one more example. Offering seven Nordic trails, or cross country trails if you prefer that terminology, this is the perfect adventure for those who may be a little timid where heights are concerned. They also rent the gear needed, as Nordic (cross country) skiing requires different equipment, including skis that are lighter, narrower, and have more flexible bindings that only attach at the toe, plus poles that are longer than those used in downhill skiing. There are no fees for skiing the Nordic trails, but it does cost money to keep them well groomed, so they do ask for a donation of at least $20 per day.
Mountain Village Ice Rink, Reflection Plaza in Mountain Village Center
Ice skating at an outdoor rink has all the makings of a Hallmark movie moment, especially when the rink you are skating on is the Mountain Village Ice Rink at Reflection Plaza. Open as long as the winter weather keeps things frosty, they rent ice skates, but admission is free if you bring your own skates or are under 5 years of age. Also offering skate helpers for the tiniest of skaters and providing a fire pit to warm up in front of in between turns around the rink, an ice skating experience in Telluride will get even more romantic when the snow begins to fall on your adventures.
Warm Weather Adventures in Telluride
Winter isn’t the only time to visit Telluride, and if your first-time journey brings you to our doorstep in the warmer months, there will still be plenty for you to see and do, including the activities listed below.
Telluride Angler Guided Fishing Trips, 121 W Colorado Avenue
Spending a few hours with pole in hand is one of our favorite adventures, and while you could rent the equipment and spend a few hours at Trout Lake, located in San Miguel County just outside of Telluride, a guided fishing trip with Telluride Angler is perfect for those who are a little insecure about their fly fishing abilities. Offering guided trips on four different area rivers, anglers will have the choice between half-day and full-day adventures. They also offer winter fly fishing trips if your winter journey has you seeking a break from the slopes, but only full day adventures are offered during the winter months.
Hiking in Telluride
The trails in Telluride take hikers through some of the most beautiful landscape in the nation, and whether you are looking for an easier stroll like the Bear Creek Falls Trail, which last 5 miles out and back, or are seeking a little extra exertion in your daily activities and are exploring the wonders of the Telluride Via Ferrata (4.5 hours), be sure to remember your camera, because you will find some of the most stunning photo ops along the way. For those who like to challenge themselves, the Sneffels Highland Trail stretches out for 13 miles and offers a beautiful opportunity to enjoy the wildflowers during the season, and the Wilson Peak Trail, while only 9 miles long, takes you up the mountain for a strenuous hike that is rewarded with breathtaking views.
Telluride Canopy Adventure, 697 Mountain Village Boulevard
Zipline adventures are always exciting, but Telluride Canopy Adventures takes that excitement to new levels, offering five ziplines, two aerial bridges, two rappels, and views of the San Juan Mountains that will break your heart to leave. Beginning with a safety and training session and ending with a ride on side-by-side UTVs back to Mountain Village’s center, the moments in between will be filled with so much fun and excitement, it should be illegal!
Shop ‘til You Drop
Shopping during vacation is a time-honored tradition, and the shops of Telluride are filled with treasures that you just won’t be able to find in your hometown stores. The ones we listed below are some of our favorites, but feel free to shop anywhere your heart leads you, especially as you won’t need to worry about overweight baggage fees since you packed light, knowing there was a washer and dryer in your Telluride vacation retreat.
Sublime Telluride, 126 W Colorado Avenue
Because you can never have too many cashmere sweaters when you live in a winter wonderland, Sublime Telluride is one of our favorite places to shop when we are in the market for women’s clothing. Offering the latest trends as well as the tried and true fashions that make people feel comfortable and at home, this smart shop also sells jewelry, shoes, and other accessories.
HOOK, 226 W Colorado Avenue
You may think a store that sells mostly hooks is a little odd, but when you walk into HOOK for the first time, you will understand the appeal. Also selling souvenirs that include Telluride ski posters, sweet selling candles, and a variety of home décor pieces, their Telluride 1000-piece puzzle is one of their most popular items, serving as a souvenir and a way of filling in the spare minutes at home with Accommodations in Telluride.
Tony Newlin Gallery at Telluride, 100 W Colorado Avenue
Art is a popular souvenir for travelers, and Tony Newlin’s photographs that are taken all over our state will remind you of all the beautiful things you saw during your trip to Telluride. The Tony Newlin Gallery is a local favorite for us. The artist sees the mundane, photographs it, and the resulting photos make the mundane shine, and we ourselves own several pieces of his works. His online store allows you to purchase your favorite photos without having to cart them home, but we encourage you to at least stop by the gallery to see it all in person for a more accurate understanding of what you are buying. The masterpieces in the store will take your breath away.
Telluride Events
There really isn’t a bad time to visit Telluride, and if you happen to visit during any of the special events we have listed below, your journey will shine bright.
Telluride AIDS Benefit Fashion Week Mid-February & Telluride Gay Ski Week Late February
Whether you attend either or both, from the middle of February to the Beginning of March is a big week in Telluride, offering the two events listed above AND the Telluride Comedy Festival. Fashion Week features Student Fashion Shows, parties, fashion pop-up events, and of course the kickoff to Telluride Gay Ski Week. THAT fun festival will offer pool parties, après ski events, and its signature white party in which attendees must dress all in white. The Telluride Comedy Festival finishes out the month of February showcasing the funniest comedians in the nation and ensuring that your ribs will ache, your jaws will hurt, and you may lose your voice from laughing too loud and too long.
Telluride Food & Vine, Mid-June
The meals you enjoy during your Colorado adventures will live on in your dreams for years to come, and if you want to really experience the best Telluride has to offer, Telluride Food & Vine is a food and wine festival held every June, bringing attendees an authentic taste of the town. Offering tastings, seminars, workshops, and a Grillin’ & Chillin’ event that celebrates the charring of meat, this wonderful event will send you off with a new appreciation of Colorado dining experiences.
Telluride Jazz Festival, Early August
Music, mountains, and vendors selling concert tees, beanies, and so much more—the Telluride Jazz Festival offers a perfect way to celebrate your summer journey to Colorado. This outdoor festival is a three-day event, and as you sip, snack, and savor the way the music echoes throughout the mountains, you will wonder why it took so long to enjoy a first time visit to Telluride!
A Taste of Telluride
A tour of the epicurean landscape of Telluride promises to offer moments that will become the sweetest of memories, and the restaurants listed below are where many of those moments will take place.
La Cocina de Luz, 123 E Colorado Avenue
Open daily from 8AM until 9PM and serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner, La Cocina de Luz provides an authentic taste of Mexico that will make you realize that your Midwestern idea of Mexican food was sadly lacking. We live for their chilaquiles in the mornings and marvel at their magical tacos that are a treat at any time of the day, and your visit will show you exactly how delicious Mexican food can be.
Floradora Saloon, 103 W Colorado Avenue
Telluride’s original museum, the Floradora Saloon, was established in 1973, a year after Telluride Ski Resort opened for business, and as our town has grown, the saloon has grown, and the all-American menu is one that you will feel comfortable exploring. Burgers, tacos, and wings are just a few of the delicious items on the menu that will make you happy, and because they serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, this is a spot you can visit time and time again.
there Telluride, 627 W Pacific Avenue
Telluride is a town known for many things, but following the rules is not one of those things, and there Telluride follows in its rebellious footsteps, offering an eclectic menu that will not fit into any standard boxes and a slogan that dares you to dine differently. Small plates rule the day, and creative cocktails will add a happy ambience to your dining experience. The menu changes regularly but if you get the chance, try their Crispy Elk Gyoza, an appetizer where East meets West and deliciousness ensues.
Your First Time with Accommodations in Telluride
Your adventures in Telluride will be enhanced by the comfortable ones you enjoy at home with Accommodations in Telluride, offering cozy comforts, modern conveniences, and a list of amenities so long, you will know what it means to feel pampered and spoiled. Our Telluride vacation rentals are designed to be an integral part of your vacation experience, and as you snuggle by the fire with your favorite traveling partner, read one more story to your budding skiers in bedrooms so comfortable that sleep comes fast and deep, and wake up every morning feeling refreshed and ready for a new day of Telluride adventures, the sneaking suspicion that your first time in Telluride won’t be your only time will flash through your mind. Reserve your favorite Telluride vacation home today!
