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Preparing for a Snowboarding Vacation to Telluride, Colorado

Durango Colorado

Living in Durango, Colorado, an active college town that’s home to boarders of all types and slopes one can always see boarders carving down right inside town, it came as a surprise to learn that many people have a misconception about Telluride that needs to be dispelled:

Unlike Aspen, Vail, and the other well-known Colorado slopes, Telluride is not home to the typical skier that looks down on snowboarders.

In fact, there are at least as many snowboarders carving their way down the amazing slopes in Telluride as there are skiers. And we’re not talking about simple bunny slopes; a snowboarder, beginner or pro, will love the variety of difficulties as much as the scenery of the mountain range referred to as ‘The American Alps’.

Prep Time: Getting to Telluride

Telluride, Colorado, is a very small town founded by miners when gold was first spotted in the snow-capped mountains. To this day you will find architecture that takes you back to the Old West and locals that are friendly, helpful, and love the people they get to meet in constant cycles throughout the year.

Despite its small size, you will want to prepare for your vacation before you begin to head out. With all the sites to see, activities to participate in, and truly scrumptious local hotspots to dine at, preparing for everything you want to do after you arrive is a daunting task. Add in nearby locations that have even more sight-seeing you might not want to miss and you come down to a simple fact: You need to decide how you’re going to travel before you start to travel.

Direct jet service is available from 9 major cities across the US and world-wide connections to the town located in the San Juan Mountains, making it extremely easy to fly into. Choose to travel in from the Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) or take a deep breath and come in for the landing of your life on top of the mountains themselves via the Telluride Regional Airport (TEX). Delta, American, and Allegiant Air all offer direct flights into both of these towns. You can also book flight packages that include goodies once you arrive in Telluride by calling 800-778-8581 and chatting with the travel coordinators in town.

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Once you touch down, you’ll want to choose between renting a vehicle or leaving the driving up to the resorts and hotels in town. Located in Southwest Colorado on State Highway 145, there are a variety of ground transportation options whether you’re coming from Montrose (the closest city to Telluride), Cortez (a tourist hot-spot with Mesa Verde and Anasazi attractions), and Durango (another tourist hot-spot, focused on sports with dozens of slopes in and around town). Shuttles are provided via the Telluride Express and Mountain Limo. To check on pricing and options for the Telluride Express, call 888.212.TAXI or if you want to check out Mountain Limo give them a call at 888.LIMOTXI.

Want to hit the road on rented wheels? Budget, Hertz, and National Car Rental all offer service in and directly near Telluride. If you’re driving the trek to Telluride and not taking to the air, you’ll be traveling some of the most scenic roadways in America. Due to the 4 Wheel Drive roads that are typically closed during the winter, please use caution if you rely on a GPS device. Instead, consider these routes from the most common stops on your way to the mountain paradise:

From Montrose

Go south on Route 550 to Ridgway then turn right onto Route 62.
Follow this to Route 145 and turn left.
Follow the signs into Telluride.
Travel time: 1.25 hours.

From Durango

Follow Route 160 from Durango to Mancos.
Turn right onto Route 184 towards Dolores.
Turn right onto Route 145, just south of Dolores.
Follow 145 into Telluride. About 3 miles out of town, Route 145 will T.
Turn right. Telluride is three more miles.
Travel time: 2.5 hours.

From Colorado Springs

Take Route 24 west. Turn south on 258/24 and proceed to Route 50.
Turn right on Route 50.
Proceed over Monarch Pass into Gunnison and then to Montrose.
Turn left and go south on Route 550 to Ridgway then turn right onto Route 62.
Follow this to Route 145 and turn left.
Follow the signs into Telluride.
Travel time: 6 hours.

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From Denver

Take Interstate 70 west to Grand Junction, go south on Route 50 to Montrose.
Continue south on Route 550 to Ridgway then turn right onto Route 62.
Follow this to Route 145 and turn left.
Follow the signs into Telluride.
Travel time: 7 hours.

Once you arrive in historic Telluride or the more modern Mountain Village, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by all the green energy modes of free travel that will get you from slope to town to Mountain village courtyard.

Running daily from 7 am to midnight, take a breathtaking scenic trip in the Gondola, a 13-minute ride that eliminates the 20-minute, 8-mile drive between Mountain Village and Telluride. Not only is the gondola convenient but it is a spectacular ride welcoming pets, mountain bikers, hikers, skiers and boarders, as well as serving as a free public mode of transportation.

After a long day on the slopes or wandering the time-capsule streets of Telluride, you can also choose to rest your weary feet by hopping on the free Galloping Goose Shuttle Service. The Goose loops around Telluride at 15 minute intervals all week between 7 am and midnight.

Finally, if you’ve chosen to stay in one of the resorts or private cabins located in Mountain Village, Dial-a-Ride offers free transportation for both guests and residents I and around Mountain Village. A courtesy phone is located at the gondola station, or you can ask a Guest Service Host to radio a shuttle for pick-up.

Prep Time: Lodging in Telluride

There are too many options for lodging in and around Telluride to name them all. What it really comes down to is whether you prefer the historic charm of Telluride proper, or the modern luxuries of Mountain Village.

Within Telluride, you’ll find lodging in intimate Victorian settings just steps away from award-winning restaurants. Head up the mountain to Mountain Village and you’ll discover resorts and private cabins with slope side access and spa services. No two properties in Telluride or Mountain Village are alike.

Want a local’s opinion? Give Telluride Central Reservations at 888.605.2578 to chat with a real, friendly local who can help you pick the perfect lodging based on your budget, interests, and travel preferences. They can also point you to air, lodging and lift ticket packages that will make you very happy.

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Prep Time: Looking for Snowboarding Lessons?

Locals that truly know the slopes and practice their sport every day work in the various schools which will help both seasoned veterans and people new to the slopes. I’ve always found it amazing to see the bond made between students and their teachers, who wind up becoming friends by the time their learning experience is over. Seriously, even if you’re a well-seasoned snowboarder, you might want to consider taking up the offer for lessons that will help you truly enjoy the combination of stunning scenery, legendary terrain, historic Telluride and modern, European Mountain Village.

The instructors on hand are top certified from around the world, dedicated to innovative teaching techniques that will enrich your experience of Telluride’s terrain suited to every level of snowboarder.

Prepare for your lessons in advance by giving the Telluride Ski and Snowboard School a call at 800.801.4832.

Just by taking these three steps towards preparing for your Snowboarding Trip to Telluride, Colorado, your vacation will become one that you never forget. Enjoy your ride down the easiest dedicated learning terrain, some of the longest slopes in the world that will allow you to naturally progress to some of the most incredible in-bound steeps in North America. Snowboarders of all levels will carve their way in exhilarating comfort and take their skill to the next level.

Remember to hydrate, and if you start experiencing any unusual headaches or nausea, contact your lodging concierge to ensure you’re not experiencing altitude sickness. Other than that, enjoy your experience! You’ll be glad you came.