Overview

The city of Telluride, Colorado, then known temporarily as Columbia, was found in 1878. It is the most populous town in the southwestern portion of the United States. The Rio Grande Southern Train that was built in the region hit Telluride in 1890 and the population exploded. The name Telluride came from an ore that combined gold, silver, and tellurium. Telluride is a fitting name since it was the region's high concentration of silver that sent miners there during the Gold Rush years.

Today Telluride is known for its world-class skiing and wintertime sports, with a variety of activities drawing people during the summer like film and music festivals. The moderate summertime temperatures make it top spot for those escaping boiling climates. It sits in the San Juan Mountains in the center of southwest Colorado, on the San Juan Skyway.

Activities & Attractions

The 1700 acre ski resort is the most popular reason people visit Telluride, Colorado. All of the popular wintertime sports like skiing, sledding, skating, snowboarding, and even ice climbing are well-liked vacation activities in the town. Other popular year-round activities include fly fishing, paragliding, hiking, shopping, fine dining and a variety of theater shows and concerts.

Telluride is a National Historic Landmark District because of its mining history and the architecture in the region. The Telluride Historical Museum and the Sheriden Opera House and Arts Foundation are quite interesting spots for people who are keen in learning about this Wild West town.

Lodging

Camping is an ideal way to enjoy the beauty of Telluride in the summertime. There are also a variety of rustic lodges and cabins offering you a choice of accommodations for $85 and up, depending on the amenities you want. Local hotels and inns range from economy lodging at the Victorian Inn for double occupancy packages of $111 per night to high-end accommodations with every possible amenity for $300 and up. Homes and condominiums are available for rent in Telluride for those who want a more at-home feel to their vacation.

Transportation

The Telluride Regional Airport is seven minutes from the heart of the town and taxis and rental cars as well as a shuttle service are available. But getting around in Telluride is even easier, and doesn't even have to cost a dime. Telluride's free Gondola service runs from 7 a.m. to midnight every day. It has some cabins where you can take pets and is also handicap accessible. There are racks for you to transport your mountain bike in the summer and for skis and snowboards in the wintertime. The Gondola connects Telluride and Mountain Village with the entire ride from end of the wire to the other lasting 13 minutes one way. It's always free and runs 275 days a year, as it's closing during the off seasons.