One of the things we love most about living in Telluride is being able to experience all of the seasons, and when your journey brings you to our doorstep during the spring months, there will be much to see, do, and fall in love with in Telluride in spring. Enjoy exciting outdoor adventures and warm and cozy indoor ones, fancy restaurants to visit and fancy boutiques in which to shop, and of course, all the comfort and luxury within our Accommodations in Telluride seasonal sanctuaries. We love all the seasons of our mountain town, but today we want to help you plan your Telluride spring getaway, presenting you with this glimpse of a vacation experience that will fulfill and thrill and make all your vacation dreams come true.
A Tale of Two Seasons in One
Telluride in the spring can offer two very different travel experiences, depending on which part of the season you arrive.
Early spring will still feel very much like winter, with the temperatures barely topping out above freezing in the daytime hours (low to mid 40s is common) and dropping into the low 20s at night. The ski resort is still open (through early to mid-April), and snowstorms may pile on more snow, creating a magical wintry ambience that you can enjoy in comfort from inside our Accommodations in Telluride retreats, with a fire going and a cup of hot cocoa in hand.
As the season progresses, the temperatures begin their slow ascent, the mercury rising into the 50s, sometimes even 60s. As the air begins to soften and the buds begin to bloom, you too will feel the difference in your soul. Spring in Telluride has arrived and it is surely to be a glorious season!
Packing for Adventure for Telluride in Spring
Because of the two very different sides of Telluride in this most mercurial season, you may be a bit unsure of what you should fill your suitcases with, but no worries, we’ve got your back. First, a reminder that our properties are equipped with washers and dryers—either in a full laundry room with counters for folding and places to hang your dry-dry pieces, or a compact but very useful stackable unit tucked away behind a door. Packing light is easier when staying in an Accommodations in Telluride escape!
You will still need your heavy coats, your ski gear if you arrive before ski season ends, and clothes that can be layered. Hikers find the difference in temps quite interesting as they begin their journey well bundled, and end it with jackets tied around their waist, gloves and hats tucked away in backpacks, and with sunglasses and sunscreen on to protect eyes and skin from the bright rays of the sun as it climbs upward throughout the day.
Early Spring Adventures
Now that you have a glimpse into the weather and what you should pack, let’s talk about adventures. Because a vacation taken at the beginning of spring will be vastly different than one taken at the end of the season, we have divided the activities into separate sections, making it easier for you to find all the fun things you can do during your Telluride spring visit.
Telluride Ski Resort
We’re not going to ignore the elephant in the room. If you arrive before early April, the very beginning days of spring, chances are you are seeking the slopes for your adventure! Our ski resort is quite renowned, offering over 2000 skiable acres and a large number of trails (approximately 20% beginner, 35% intermediate, and the rest are all advanced). We have a ski school, a ski rental service, and many restaurants on the mountain, ensuring that your most basic needs will be met. If you are visiting during closing weekend, you can count on there being a large number of closing events to add to the fun, including a community street dance, concerts, a rail jam, and a bikini slalom and party.
Fat Tire Biking
As you might imagine, mountain biking is big in Telluride, and we don’t let a little snow stop us from hitting the trails. The large tires on the bike help cut through snow and slush, and you can rent a bike and go off on your own from any company in town that rents bikes. Fat Bike Tours available through Telluride Adventures (970-728-4101) may be the adventure you are seeking, offering half- and full-day tours that explore the stunning beauty of the Telluride landscape and test your strength on the mountain trails. They have teamed up with a professional photography service, enabling you to return to your real life with the most breathtaking photos of your experience while also eliciting the envy of your friends!
Burlesque Show-House of Shimmy Shake, Historic Sheridan Opera House
The first weekend of spring is generally the weekend when Telluride Theater reenacts its vaudeville beginnings by offering its own Burlesque Show with its annual fundraiser. The graduates of the burlesque school will shake it until they make it, entertaining people of all ages, but you may want to make this activity an adult one and plan to visit another time without the kids. We love the bold humor, the beautiful women, and the catchy music that has us shimmying in our seats, and we think you will enjoy it as well!
Mid to Late Spring Shenanigans
As the temperatures begin to climb and the trees begin to bud, you may find yourself falling in love with Telluride in the mid or late spring and perhaps even considering changing your home zip code to ours. The promise of spring is answered with the melting of the snow, and the activities listed below are sure to enhance your vacation experience, bringing you joy and a new appreciation of mountain life!
Waterfall Hikes
As the snow melts, the waterfalls in the Telluride area become even more lush and impressive. We highly recommend a hike to any of the waterfalls in the area, but especially to Bridal Veil Falls, Bear Creek Falls, and Cornet Creek Falls. Each of these beautiful bodies of falling water offer their own unique appeal, and the hikes to reach them range in difficulty from easy to moderate, enabling you and your family to enjoy another beautiful spring day in Telluride.
Bridal Veil Falls
Bridal Veil Falls is the tallest waterfall in Colorado, reaching 365 feet high, and it is also the one with the most difficult hike, even though it isn’t the longest one. The trail, depending on where you start, can be as short as 2 miles and as long as 3.6 miles, but it isn’t the length of the trail that makes it more difficult. Instead, it is the steep, rocky, and winding trail that could give you pause, especially if you aren’t in the best physical condition. Also popular in the winter with ice climbers, it is a waterfall that should be visited at any time of the year.
Bear Creek Falls
Only 80 feet tall, Bear Creek Falls is still a popular spot to visit, especially during the snowmelt time of the year. The trail is just over 4 miles, leading hikers on a journey through forests of aspen and pines that will take their breath away. This very accessible trail starts at the end of Pine Street in Telluride and follows along an old mining road, adding history to your natural adventure.
Cornet Creek Falls
Also reaching 80 feet in height, Cornet Creek Falls is probably the easiest to reach out of the three, featuring a hike that takes less than an hour to complete. Now, be warned: This trail is rather steep, climbing up 300 feet, but we think the beauty of the falls, the landscape, and the trees that will surround you more than make up for the extra effort.
Mountainfilm, Memorial Day Weekend
Although Memorial Day Weekend is viewed as the kickoff to summer, it is still a spring holiday, and as if the weekend wasn’t going to be wonderful enough, Mountainfilm, a documentary film festival that focuses on ecological, political, and social issues, adds an extra shine to the event. Lasting five days and offering the opportunity to rub shoulders with your favorite stars, writers, and directors, this popular event has been a holiday weekend favorite for nearly 50 years. Ticket prices range from free (the Senior Wasatch Pass for guests 80+) to $5000 for the Patron Pass, so we are sure you will find a pass that fits nicely into your budget.
Restaurants with Seasonal Menus
When dining out, we tend to go with our favorite dishes at our favorite restaurants, but it can be fun to try something new. Of course, every restaurant in Telluride is probably new to you, but the restaurants we have listed below are known for changing their menus with the season, offering dishes that are made with locally sourced seasonal ingredients and giving your taste buds a spring fling.
221 South Oak, Open Daily From 5PM Until 9:30PM
221 South Oak, found at the same address as its name, has been our go-to restaurant ever since Chef Eliza Gavin took over the establishment in the fall of 2000, offering a sophisticated menu that will haunt your dreams in the best of ways. Sadly, this seasonal restaurant closes in April and May, and again in October and November, but our early and late spring travelers will definitely want to make reservations now, especially if the idea of an Elk T-Bone or Rocky Mountain Trout sounds like delicious to you!
La Marmotte, 150 W San Juan Avenue, Open Daily From 5PM Until 9PM
A really good French restaurant can be hard to find in other towns, but during your visit to Telluride, La Marmotte stands proud! Offering a French menu that does change with the seasons, it remains open year round, ensuring that whenever you visit is the perfect time to try their Goat Cheese Gnocchi. Be sure to save room for dessert, because we have it on great authority that their chocolate caramel mousse is “tres delicieux!”
Side Work Restaurant, 225 S Pine Street Unit F, Open Daily From 5PM Until 9PM
Although Side Work Restaurant does close in the fall months, it is open the remaining seasons and is famous for offering a rotating seasonal menu inspired by the Spanish tapas we all know and love. We at Accommodations in Telluride have always loved tapas, relishing the chance to get a taste of everything without being stuck with one main dish, and the tapas offered here are our favorite. Also offering main dishes that include Citrus Poached Salmon and Truffle Mushroom Risotto, a visit to Side Work should be at the top of your spring itinerary.
Comfortable and Luxurious in Any Season
After long days spent hiking to waterfalls and dining at local restaurants, coming home to our Accommodations in Telluride seasonal sanctuaries really will feel like you are coming home. Offering large patios and decks furnished with chairs, tables, grills, and more often than not, bubbling hot tubs, during the warmer days you will find yourself quite comfortable sitting outside and raising a toast to some of the most spectacular sunsets you will ever see in your lifetime.
When the sun falls behind the mountain and the chill of night brings you back inside, the warmth that comes from the fireplace will make your heart smile. Snuggle under a colorful throw with your partner, play board games around the dining room table as snow falls outside, and dream happy dreams in the most comfortable beds in the state of Colorado.
Every moment spent with us will be the ones that become your most cherished memories tomorrow! Contact us today to book your spring rental in Telluride!
