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A Visitor's Guide to Telluride, Colorado,in SummertimeFebruary 26, 2018

Here’s the scoop on the best of the mountain town’s offerings in the warmer months

By: Michelle Juergen

It was chilly and overcast when I arrived in Telluride, Colo., at thebeginning of August, but the weather was the last thing on mymind as I stared, mesmerized, into the box canyon. The tableaubefore me transported me instantly back to some of my favoritedestinations: Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge, Utah’s Zion NationalPark and the Swiss Alps. The vistas of Telluride, a former silvermining town set in the San Juan Mountains, are an amalgam of

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soaring, striated cliffs; jagged peaks; and a green sea of pine,aspen and fir trees.

After the town’s mining boom went bust in the late 1800s, Telluridecame back full force in the 1970s with the opening of Telluride SkiResort, which earned the area recognition as a premier ski andsnowboarding destination. But today, the town — which sits at anelevation of 8,750 feet — offers far more beyond its renownedpowder. The summer season draws adrenaline junkies seekingtheir fix from the destination’s many outdoor activities, whichinclude everything from kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding tomountain biking and hiking one of the area’s multiple 13,000- and14,000-foot peaks.

But those seeking outdoor options more sublime than sweat-inducing will find it in Telluride, too. The small town — whichmeasures just eight blocks wide and 12 blocks long and holdssome 2,000 residents — was designated a National HistoricLandmark District in 1964 because of its significant role in thehistory of the American West. Its quaint clapboard storefronts,historical buildings, Victorian-style homes, art galleries and first-rate eateries offer irresistible charm for leisure and active travelersalike. Plus, with popular annual festivals — such as the TellurideBluegrass Festival and the Telluride Film Festival, not to mentionevents themed around yoga, wine, jazz and more — there’s trulysomething for everyone.

In fact, if you get bored here, you’re doing it very, very wrong. Hereare some of my favorite spots to enjoy the best of what the townhas to offer in the summer months. (Though with a creative tweakor two, most of them can be enjoyed year-round.)

Where to Stay The Hotel Telluride is the perfect upscale property in which tospend a few blissful nights after exploring the area. While I loved

the antique Western decor, on-site The West End Bistro, incredibly warm staff and down-home vibe,my favorite part of my stay was unquestionably the bed in my Grand room. The cozy, king-sizemattress was one of the most comfortable hotel beds I’ve ever slept on, and at the end of a grueling,10-hour day trekking up nearby Wilson Peak — one of Colorado’s iconic “14ers” (14,000-foot peaks)— it was probably the closest to heaven I’ve ever felt. (And, by the way, it’s the No. 1 Telluride hotelon TripAdvisor.)

Kayaking is just one of manyactive options for Telluridevisitors. // © 2017 TellurideTourism Board

Feature image (above): The townboasts a complimentary, 3-milegondola, the first and only publictransportation system of its kind inthe U.S. // © 2017 TellurideTourism Board

RelatedContentFind out what it’s like tohike up Telluride’s 14,017-foot Wilson Peak.

The DetailsTelluride Tourism Board www.visittelluride.com

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The 59-room boutique property offers an intimate stay with luxurious amenities — all rooms includeprivate balconies or decks, iPod docking stations, a wet bar, a minifridge, a coffee- and tea-maker,spa robes, L’Occitane or Aveda toiletries and complimentary Wi-Fi access — but without any fuss.Visitors are welcome to bring their pets during a stay; a local plays live music in the lobby a fewnights per week; and guests often linger in the common spaces to rehash the day’s events over adrink (there are also complimentary coffee, tea and cookies available).

My advice? Order a strong cocktail from the window on the outdoor deck, relax in one of the two hottubs and chat up other travelers to find out what adventure to embark on next.

www.thehoteltelluride.com

Where to Eat Of course, if you’re visiting Telluride, you’re bound to be doing activities that work up a heartyappetite, and there’s no shortage of delicious eateries to satiate hungry — and discerning —travelers.

Need to carbo-load before a big hike, or just want a romantic night out without the kids? Head toRustico Ristorante for authentic Italian cuisine. Rustico has remained a mainstay of Telluride formore than 20 years, and for good reason: Its recipes have been passed down and honed forgenerations by the Italian Canclini family who owns the establishment. Food here is simple butdelightful, and everything — whether homemade pasta, pizza or prime Angus steak — is alwayscooked “al momento” (to order). Try not to spend too much time poring over the wine list — thereare more than 500 Italian vinos from which to choose.

For a pick-me-up, I suggest Ghost Town, which both visitors and locals generally agree is some ofthe best coffee in Telluride. West Coasters will feel right at home in this quirky cafe, which featureslocal, organic food offerings such as creative takes on toast — with toppings such as almondhummus, heirloom tomato and sprouts; basil pesto and avocado; and pear butter and cinnamon —as well as healthful smoothies, granola bowls and salads. Bonus: Those with dietary restrictions willfind veggie options and multiple kinds of alternate milks.

www.rusticoristorante.com

Where to Play Beloved local operators Telluride Outside and San Juan Outdoor Adventure can help travelers takeadvantage of the best of what the area has to offer. The latter helped me tackle the aforementioned14,017-foot Wilson Peak, but San Juan also gets people of all ages and skill levels rock climbing,backpacking, camping, hiking and mountaineering.

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The especially brave can traverse Telluride’s via ferrata, a technical, assisted climbing course whereparticipants hike and climb 2 miles around narrow ledges and sheer cliffs while 500 feet above theground and suspended from a cable by just a harness and carabiners. The payoff is incredible,though: Unspoiled views of Telluride’s 365-foot Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado’s tallest free-falling falls.

Telluride Outside, meanwhile, offers fly-fishing, river rafting, stand-up paddleboarding and four-wheel drive tours in the area’s picturesque rivers and mountains. Bitten by the fly-fishing bug inMontana a few years back, I opted for a half-day excursion to relive my glory days (during which Icaught a total of zero fish).

My guides, Jeff and Wyatt, gave our group a quick refresher course before setting us loose in thegorgeous Dolores River. Both doted on me when I expressed frustration in not catching anything,giving me pointers on where and how to aim my fly, while also providing me time to enjoy thesolitude of the scenery and get into the zone. One of the best parts? When I finally caught (thenreleased, as it’s catch-and-release only) my prizes — a brown trout and a cutthroat trout — Jeff andWyatt seemed just as exhilarated as I was.

www.tellurideadventures.com www.tellurideoutside.com

How to Get Around With its complimentary public gondola system, Telluride lays claim to the first and only free publictransportation system of its kind in the U.S. Since 1996, locals and visitors have been able to enjoypanoramic views on the 13-minute ride from downtown to Mountain Village — the “bougie” part oftown where celebrities lounge in multimillion-dollar vacation homes and golf nuts hit the green. AtStation St. Sophia, the second stop of the three-stage gondola, trekkers can access a host offorested trails.

The gondola is both handicap accessible and pet-friendly, and it offers racks for bike transportationin the summer. See if you can spot some local wildlife (such as a brown bear or deer) from thegondola’s highest point at 10,500 feet.

Getting Here Fly into Montrose Regional Airport, about 70 miles north of Telluride. American Airlines and UnitedAirlines offer nonstop daily flights to Montrose from Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston and Phoenix(service varies depending on the season).

Shuttle service Telluride Express offers door-to-door transportation in both shared and privatevehicles, with no stops between the airport and Telluride (rates are around $100 per person for ashared shuttle ride).

3/10/2018 A Visitor's Guide to Telluride, Colorado, in Summertime : TravelAge West

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(While Telluride Regional Airport lies just 6 miles west of Telluride, commuter airline flights aresometimes diverted to other airports because of often-adverse landing conditions. The airport hasjust one runway and is located on a plateau with a 1,000-foot drop to the San Miguel River below it.)

www.tellurideexpress.com

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