Summer and Winter, Telluride is a great place to be.  We’ve been blessed to travel here many times over the past 16 years.  It is one of our favorites places.  There is so much to do in every season.

Telluride offers a great respite from the summer heat. And being that the forecast in Dallas is well over 100 for more than a week…cool weather is definitely on my mind.  To be able to go outside and just “be” is such a treat.  It takes a day or so to get used to not being hit with a “wall of heat” when you step out of the door.  So refreshing!

Here is my list of Telluride Favorites:

Hikes

There are so many that it would be hard to do them all in one trip.  This is a link to most popular hikes.  This is a list of my favorites.

• Alta Lakes is my all time favorite hike with a huge payoff at the end with a crystal clear amazingly blue Alpine lake at the top.  There are streams to cross and beautiful, lush green forest to explore.  Best for 10 and up with some stamina because it is a long hike but so worth it!
• Coronet Falls is a family favorite .  It is near the entrance to town and an easy climb for any able body person.  It can be narrow so hand your younger children’s hand.
• Bear Creek is also in town about midway and it a nice hike.  Doable for kids.  A lot of the day camps take kiddos here.
• Bridal Veil is the hike to the top of the box canyon at the dead end of Telluride.  So beautiful to see the town from this perspective.
• Snuffles Highline is an expert hike that I have obviously not done.  Many friends have so if you are a “real” hiker, you might check this one out.

Outdoor Activities

There are so many great activities in the mountains.  We typically trust Telluride Outside for all things outdoors.

• Jeep Tours                              • Stand up Paddleboarding
• White Water Rafting            • Fly Fishing
• Mountain Biking                   • Golf

Activities for Children and Teens

Ah Haa School for the Arts has great art camps for children and adults as well.  If you are in town for a few weeks, this is a great place to check out.

Telluride Academy offers great summer day camps for kids of all ages, some that end with an overnight camping in the great outdoors.  Our girls have loved these.

The Telluride Ski Resort also offers great activities for kids from Cub Camp at the Nursery for 2 months to 5 years, and Kids Camp for the 5-8 crowd to Mountaineering, Eco Overnights, and an Adventure Race patterned after The Amazing Race and more.  We used the Nursery summer and winter when our girls were younger.  They are great.  Now the enjoy the activities for older kids, of course.

A trip to Telluride for us is never complete without a trip to the wonderful Wilkinson Library in downtown Telluride for books to read on cool rainy days or just being still in the beautiful mountains.  The Library also hosts story times and other events throughout the summer.

Events and Festivals

Sunset Concert Series – This is our favorite Telluride tradition.  Every Wednesday in the summer, the Telluride Mountain Village Association hosts a concert on the lawn at Sunset Plaza.  We make a picnic and grab a blanket and enjoy the music and the view.

Telluride Wine Festival – This annual June event hosts seminars, wine tasting events, cooking demos and luncheons showcasing Telluride as a culinary destination.  More information is available here.

Telluride Reserve – Telluride Reserve, August 15-18, offers guests interactive wine tasting sessions led by Master Sommeliers and wine professionals. For one price, guests select eight sessions over four days, including two Taste & Terroir four-course lunches featuring sought-after wines paired with the innovative cuisine of celebrated chefs.

You can find a full listing of festivals here.

Restaurants

There are many amazing restaurants here.  Whatever your craving, there are more than 60 restaurants to satisfy.  There are no chain restaurants, stores large designer brand stores in Telluride.  All boutiques and restaurants are locally owned and operated.

These are our favorite restaurants:

Cosmopolitan:  Cosmopolitan, located at the base of the Gondola in the town of Telluride, is our go to for an night out with adult friends.  They have a great bar and long list of craft cocktails.  Having received the Wine Spectator for nine consecutive years, you can be assured their wine list is long and varied.  Chef Chad Scothorn serves up a globally inspired, locally sourced menu that will leave you dreaming of your return.

Accommodations: (There are many but these are places we have stayed or are very familiar with and can recommend)

The Peaks Resort & Spa:  This was the first place we stayed and has great ski-in and ski-out access.  The Peaks Resort & Spa is Telluride’s premiere full-service resort hotel. The property includes 168 beautifully appointed guest rooms including 32 suites, as well as 14 penthouse condominiums and 30 two, three, four and five bedroom mountainside cabins – all with astounding mountain views. The resort offers slopeside access in the winter and is the home to the Pro Shop for the Telluride Golf Club championship course. Onsite dining includes Palmyra, the Great Room, The Lift, Legends and Deep End Grill (summer only), as well as in-room private dining.

The onsite Spa at The Peaks Resort, at 42,000 sq. ft., is the largest spa in Colorado. The Spa features 32 treatment rooms and a variety of relaxing and rejuvenating signature treatments. The Spa also encompasses a full service salon, fully-equipped fitness center including Pilates and yoga studios, certified fitness instructors providing a variety of private and group classes, three-lane lap pool with Telluride’s only indoor water slide, indoor climbing wall, gender specific steam rooms, saunas and Roman tubs, and indoor/outdoor heated pool and hot tubs. www.thepeaksresort.com

Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge: The Franz Klammer Lodge, ideally located in the Mountain Village Core, offers a luxurious Telluride ski resort experience in the heart of one of the world’s most sought-after destinations. At the private residence club featuring two and three bedroom homes, you can enjoy exceptional comfort and luxury that only a Fairmont can provide.

Lumière with Inspirato Telluride: Small and contemporary by design, Lumière with Inspirato Telluride is an intimate and luxury boutique property located in Mountain Village with ski-in/ski-out access.  Beyond the magnificent stone facade, you’ll find just 11 hotel rooms and 18 one to five bedroom residences.   Lumière is conveniently located with direct ski-in/ski-out access to the base of Lower Boomerang Trail next to Lift Four.  You can read more about my love for traveling with Inspirato here.  This is a great way to experience their amazing service.

Hotel Madeleine: From spacious guestrooms and suites, to two, three, and four–bedroom residences, Madeline Hotel and Residences offers Telluride accommodations that deliver the utmost in comfort, style and atmosphere. Every living space surrounds you in luxury with sophisticated decor and breathtaking views. They even have a small skating rink!

Inn at Lost Creek:  The Inn at Lost Creek is an award winning luxury boutique hotel offering 32 unique suites, with a premiere location, one of Telluride’s best restaurants, and a team that truly loves to deliver highly personalized and quality service.  This charming Inn is also considered in the Village Core – making skiing easy and accessible.

There are also many rental companies that specialize in homes and condos in both the town of Telluride and Mountain Village.  We have used these as well.  We like  to stay in the Village Core in up in Mountain Village – meaning you can walk to ski, dine and catch the gondola to town.  There is also a free shuttle in Mountain Village from homes to the Core.  The Galloping Goose is the free shuttle that runs in town.

I gathered few summer must-haves for your Tride packing list if you are lucky enough to sneak in one more jaunt before school starts!

Don’t forget to register for the two great Nordstrom Giveaways for my readers!  This one ends Friday and this one just began!

Photos via: Tellurideoutside.com, visittelluride.com and hotel websites