Telluride Tempting Thrills

The first time I landed in Telluride, even before I landed, my breathe was taken away from me and I have traveled to many parts of the World. I'm not sure if it was the plane’s wings barely clearing the steep and rugged mountains slim passage into this box canyon, or the raw beauty of these majestic mountains overlooking this tiny, charming, historic Victorian town that appears to stand frozen in time. Whatever it was, this memory of Telluride and my first glance at her has been permanently etched in my mind.

Every year, it is this one town and mountain that without a doubt, I look forward to return. I must say that as a seasoned traveler, lifelong skier, and an independent travel agent, I am certain that Telluride is one of the most remarkable Ski Destinations in the world. By the mid 1990s, Telluride had shed both its mining personality and drug image to establish itself as a premier resort town balancing modern culture with fascinating western history.
Telluride today is best known for its world-class ski resort, which boasts 1,700 acres of terrain, three air gardens and terrain parks, and one complete with a superpipe. Other popular winter activities include Nordic skiing, dog sledding, snowboarding, sleigh rides, snowmobiling, ice climbing, heli-skiing, ice skating, sledding and more, especially for the romantic. Telluride's bad-boy town image attracted celebrities and of course, the summer festivals don't hurt the towns’ reputation.

In 2003, Prospect Bowl, an extension to the ski area opened, providing the resort with many new trails and back country runs. In 2007-08, the ski area opened some of the most extreme, in-bound, hike-to terrain in the country. Most lifts in the area are high speed quad chairs capable of holding four passengers. The highest lift on the mountain reaches an altitude of 12,255 feet. This is a ski destination to be reckoned with. This is also one of the most romantic mountain town and destination I have ever seen. Talk about getting away and seclusion, nestled into the box canyon (its entrance is its only exit) of this great old cowboy town. Fabulous restaurants, world-class dining, a free gondola connecting the town to Mountain Village, as you pass through this enchanted village, you feel as though you are walking through a picture postcard lost somewhere in time. No wonder it was once used as a stop by for drug smugglers and a bad-boy reputation sprang up. This place wasn't even on the resort map until the first lift went up in the early 1970's. This is a relatively new destination, expensive and difficult to get there, I usually fly in on a private plane. During the winter if the pass is closed, which it often is, you can only get in by a single engine prop. Year-round Telluride pastimes include paragliding, fly-fishing, shopping, fine dining, bird watching, sight-seeing, riding the free gondola and attending day spas.

Telluride is a historic mining town that boomed in the late 1800s, and its quaint Victorian architecture is preserved today, allowing the town status as a National Historic Landmark District. Located on the scenic San Juan Skyway in the heart of southwest Colorado San Juan Mountains, Telluride and Mountain Village are the ideal year-round getaway. Telluride is also a memory waiting to be created.

Now booking ski packages: http://www.protravelnetwork.com/mavensnest
or http://wwwlmavensnest.com/ For the best pricing, email me at: annieadams@earthlink.net