11 Exhilarating Winter Activities in Telluride, Colorado: More Than Just Skiing!
I have been to Telluride in the fall, winter, and summer months. Each season in this town has moments of fun, adventure, and beauty, but my favorite will always be winter. Granted, I have been there more in the winter than in any other season. Seeing the jagged San Juan mountains covered in a heavy blanket of snow from the gondola on a bluebird day feels like you’re viewing a snow globe mirage.
Below I will tell you all my snow activities and some suggestions for other ideas if you aren’t a snow bunny like myself.
1. Skiing and Snowboarding
You either love that I started off with this, or you say, “Bel, you are killing me. I don’t do either one.” I got you; skip this section. There are no hard feelings. But for those who ski and snowboard, you must play on the mountain! It was ranked—I don’t know how many times—as a world-class ski resort.
I will be honest; skiing here for a day will cost you like $200 for a ski pass, which doesn’t include ski lessons or food on the mountain. BUT if you have an Epic Pass as I do, you get seven free days at Telluride. And honestly, if you ski five days here, you’ve already paid for your pass and then some. My epic pass cost me $899 a year.
2. Nordic Skiing
I’ll be honest. This was my least favorite activity. A few years ago, my friends and I went to Trout Lake, and I hated it, except for going downhill and seeing the beautiful trees covered in snow.
For those who aren’t skiers, I think you would enjoy this. One of my friends loved it, and she isn’t a snow bunny and doesn’t ski. Other places you can Nordic ski are:
Telluride Town Park
Valley Floor
Golf Course in Mountain Village
Top of Chair Ten
3. Snowshoeing
I LOVE snowshoeing! There is something really cool about walking over the top of the snow! I am a hiker, and hiking in the snow is sometimes challenging.
My two favorite places I have snowshoed are the Valley Floor to Telluride Brewery. I also loved Tomboy Pass. And if you want epic views of the town above, this is your place. Other places you can snowshoe are:
Trout Lake
Lizard Pass
Bear Creek Trail
I really don’t like to recommend Bear Creek Trail in the winter ( I have done it in the summer) because you really need to be an experienced hiker during that season. After all, this area is known to have avalanches and is super sketchy in the winter. If you decide to do this anyway, check avalanche weather reports.
4. Ice Skating
If ice skating is more your speed, you can head to Mountain Village and skate there. After you are done, you may want to head to Telluride Brewery or Telluride Distillery for a post-skate meal or drink.
5. Fat Biking
Where are my bikers at? If you are more of a biker and want to explore with a bike in the winter, this is perfect for you. You explore amazing trails on bikes with thicker wheels to get you through the snow. You can book tours or bike the Valley Floor and parts of Bear Creek Trail. I am not a biker and have zero interest in becoming one, but even I love fat biking.
6. Snowmobiling
This is the one thing I have waited to try for the longest time. You can book two tours with Telluride Outfitters and Alta Ghost Town, but check with them both to make sure there is enough snow.
7. Dog Sledding
Want to check out the backcountry of Telluride but in comfort? Then this is an excellent experience! Your tour will consist of 8-10 Alaskan Huskies guiding you through the National Forest, with plenty of chances to take pictures of the Mountain Vistas.
But Bel, I want to relax in Telluride, not slog through snow up to my knees!
I get it; sometimes, you want to be somewhere soothing and warm. For those who are not snow bunnies and want a little less adventure and a more restorative vacation, the options below are for you.
8. The Peaks Resort & Spa
This is one of the largest spas in Colorado. You can get a massage, aesthetics, and body therapy here. You can even book a full-service salon or swim in their indoor lap pool and finish off with hot or Roman tubs. This is the perfect place for you to restore and feel great!
9. Dunton Hot Springs
If you want to explore more of the San Juans in a ghost town setting of luxury hot springs, then this is your place. The resort offers a variety of day and overnight packages. You can explore local trails and then follow them up with pampering massages and hot springs, and you can spend a night or two in fully furnished hand-hewn log cabins. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a solo moment and to find your center. That’s probably the priciest experience too.
10. Orvis Hot Springs
This hot spring in Ridgeway is 45 minutes from Telluride. You could come here after flying into Montrose before heading to Telluride or back to the airport—or anytime.
I have been here during the day and night, and for me, I love the night for two reasons: a) seeing how bright the stars are is a beautiful experience, and b) you see fewer people. Meaning that this hot spring is clothing optional.
This place also has indoor pools if you don’t want to sit outside in the hot springs. The hot springs are natural, and the natural lithium water is never heated or treated in any way. The ten indoor and outdoor soaking areas feature water temperatures ranging from 65 to 112 degrees.
11. Ouray Hot Springs
This is about an hour from Telluride in a town called Ouray, which is nicknamed the Switzerland of America. The Ouray Hot Springs Pool and Fitness Center houses five pools, three of which are geothermally heated. These differ from Orvis because the pools are like swimming pools.
I hope you found something from this breakdown that is appealing to you, whether you are a snow bunny adventurer to more of a chill snowbird hanging out in a hot spring. I’m sure you will fall just as much in love with Telluride as I have over the last eight years.