Telluride

One taste of Telluride and you’ll be hooked. It doesn’t matter if you’re there to attend one of the many festivals, revel in the rich silver- and gold-mining history of the tiny 12-block town, mine for precious metals in the tony jewelry shops, or enjoy endless runs down ski slopes famous for layers and layers of priceless powder.

Set in southwestern Colorado’s majestic San Juan Mountains, Telluride is comprised of two completely diverse environments, the town center where beautifully restored Victorian homes and clapboard storefronts abound, and Mountain Village, renowned for big views (and even bigger mountain homes). Town and mountain are uniquely linked together by a free, environmentally friendly gondola.

In the winter, Telluride’s world-famous ski mountain is a common playground. And while it may be known for expert runs like the Plunge (a black-diamond bump run that descends 3,140 vertical feet from the top of the mountain down into town), 38 percent is actually intermediate terrain with friendly corduroy and open glades. Skiers and boarders of all abilities will find joy on 733 acres in the new Prospect Bowl.

At such a lofty elevation (8,725 feet above sea level in town, 9,500 above sea level in Mountain Village), a visit to Telluride will surely inspire pause. But once you get there, you’ll discover more than just the altitude will take your breath away. For more info, visit telluride.com.