Why Go?
It’s a Western treat for all ages in southern Colorado’s jagged San Juan mountains. Telluride, the mining town, is set at the end of a steep-sided box canyon, and yet there’s also a stylish modern resort, Mountain Village, filled with slope-side hotels and other attractions. The village, high on the mountain, connects by gondola late into the evening to access runs both simple and challenging. Views are constantly awesome.
The Skiing
Mountain Village, from where lifts fan out into the great bowl backdrop, is perfect for those with youngsters. The Meadows beginner area features some longer trails to progress on to, and is snuggled away from the main skiing. More intermediate and advance runs are close by on the gnarly, off-piste, double black diamond thrills of Black Iron Bowl. There are wide, easy ways down from the top of most lifts and at least one intermediate run from every lift, so everyone can appreciate the rugged scenery. The longest is the meandering 4.6-mile Galloping Goose, wonderful for letting children see the mountain, while the tree-lined runs of Prospect Bowl offer a pleasing step up. Ute Park is a beginners and intermediate terrain park. Little ones will love the Enchanted Forest, a winding path through the trees past wooden statues and hidden tree gnomes. Parents and good skiers can take a Snowcat ski adventure or go on a guided backcountry ski tour.
The Resort
It’s where, in 1889, American train robber Butch Cassidy held up his first bank and where the Tomboy mine was one of the world’s great gold producers. Even today the Victorian cowboy history pervades the old town (it’s a National Historic District) and yet the streamlined, contemporary Mountain Village up on the slopes is now recognized as a town itself.
Telluride is like a film set, all red brick buildings set below the looming canyon walls—something children will remember forever. The New Sheridan, opened in 1895 and now a boutique Western dream, gives the feel of downtown. Mountain Village has a more conventional outlook but this is where the biggest hotels and apartment complexes are, right by the lifts and with a string of restaurants. There are plenty of family-friendly food options downtown, with pizza, burgers and Mexican well-represented.
Children’s Facilities
At the Children’s Ski and Snowboard School, kids are divided into age groups and given ski lessons. Little ones get an hour on skis with plenty of indoor play. Even if you’re in town, it’s easy getting them up there on the free gondola. There are twice-weekly Kids’ Nights Out with games and crafts for ages five and up while parents hit the town. Ski family fun includes dog-sledding, horse riding and snowshoeing, plus mountain biking and, if you have cash to spend, scenic helicopter flights.
Getting Around
While this is a Colorado resort, it is a long, stunning drive from Denver, well over six hours, not much shorter than driving to Albuquerque, Phoenix or Salt Lake City. But the journey is part of a vacation into the American west. Telluride airport, six miles from town, has connections from the capital, while Montrose, a scenic 65-mile drive, through desert and mountain, offers many more options.
Nick Dalton, a U.K.-based travel writer for newspapers, such as The Times, has visited nearly 90 U.S. ski resorts (and another 20 or so in Canada). When not skiing he’s also an expert on cruises, and his children, Georgia and Henry.