| Telluride -- some say it was named for Tellurium, a gold-bearing
ore. Others call it "To Hell You Ride," emphasizing the boisterousness
of the 1880's mining town. Settled in the 1870s as a gold and silver mining
camp, Telluride was incorporated in 1878. In 1964 it was deemed a National Historic
District. Today, Telluride looks much the same, predominantly characterized
by Victorian architecture among its residences and lodges. Surrounded by the
largest concentration of 14,000-foot mountains in North America, there's nothing
quite like the small town of Telluride. This translates into virtually nonexistent
lift lines, and slopes all to yourself: steep ones, easy ones, long ones --
a mountain for the whole family. With the closest traffic light a good 65 miles
away and a permanent population of 1,600, it is easy to find your way around
Telluride. Eighty-five percent of all accommodations are liftside or within
walking distance of the gondola's Station Telluride or the Coonskin and Oak
Street chairlifts.
The Mountain Village lies over the ridge from Telluride,
accessible by skis or snowboard via the ski mountain, or by a 12-minute gondola
ride from Station Telluride to Station Mountain Village. Combining European-alpine
design with the rustic traditions of the Rockies, the Mountain Village boasts
a number of restaurants, shops, boutiques, hotels and unmatched views. It is
home to approximately 1,000 full-time and 600 part-time residents. The Surge
Air Garden Terrain Park is the largest terrain park in the Southwest United
States, currently offering more than 13 acres of terrain. |
