A first-time guide to Telluride, Colorado

18.10.2024 - 15:39 / lonelyplanet.com

Oct 17, 2024 • 9 min read

Tucked into a box canyon in the San Juan mountains of Colorado, Telluride, is an idyllic ski-resort town that might be one of the most naturally beautiful places in the USA.

Telluride has more to offer visitors than high-octane runs and dramatic views, though: it’s a year-round destination for outdoor recreation, with an impressive restaurant scene and interesting events throughout the year. (Mushroom Festival, anyone?)  

Telluride rewards visitors who make the long journey with unbeatable outdoor experiences, Wild West vibes and 360 degrees of dramatic mountain views. Here’s what to you need to know as you plan your first trip to Telluride. 

It depends on the kind of experience you’re after. If that’s Colorado’s superb ski slopes, head to Telluride in winter for terrain that rivals that of bigger-name resorts. Just keep in mind that winter is generally the busiest and most expensive time of the year to be in town. 

Summer is also becoming a popular season for travel to Telluride, with the promise of sunny weather and temperatures that hover around 23°C (75°F). It’s the perfect weather for activities like hiking, paddleboarding, fly fishing, mountain biking, rock climbing and more. 

The best month for a first-time visit? October, when the aspen leaves on the hillsides turn a brilliant gold, the weather stays mild and the high-season crowds (and prices) ease. If you head to town from mid-October through mid-November or April through May, you’ll find (relatively) great value on accommodation and food. Just keep in mind that many businesses are closed for an off-season break during these times, and the weather can be unpleasant. In the spring especially, you’ll likely have cold wind, rain and mud to contend with.

Because it takes a lot of time and effort to get to Telluride (more on that below), you will want to stay at least three or four days once you’re there. That’s enough time to see the town, fit some outdoor adventure in and recover before you make the trek back to civilization again. 

If you have a week or more to spend in Telluride…lucky you. Plan your trip around a festival and then stay a few extra days to explore the canyon or use that time for scenic drives to nearby mountain towns like Ouray and Silverton. 

Telluride is not easy to get to – the one downside to such an appealing place. The old mining town lies in a narrow box canyon, surrounded on three sides by mountains that tower over 13,000ft (3962m), with effectively only one road in and out. A small airport on the outskirts of town has just a few flights there each day, all on small planes that take a bumpy journey over the San Juan mountain range before swinging in to land on a short runway. If turbulence makes you