Looking for something “big” to do this summer with the family? With the highest concentration of 14,000-foot mountain peaks in the United States, Telluride and its close neighbor, Mountain Village, are encompassed by these majestic wonders in the rugged San Juan Mountains. At 9,500 feet, Mountain Village is just a short 13-minute gondola ride from Telluride and offers beautiful scenery, outdoor adventures, eclectic dining experiences, and affordable accommodations.
My wife and I first visited the Mountain Lodge at Telluride in 2004 and were impressed with the quality of the accommodations of this 90-unit resort that offered all of the amenities of an upscale resort combined with the personal services of a luxury hotel. The condominium suites and cabins are tastefully decorated in a western motif with leather furniture, pine tables and cabinets, granite countertops, kitchenettes, CD sound systems, two-way fireplaces, and even jetted tubs.
The main lodge building also offers many other conveniences including a full-service front desk concierge, daily housekeeping, an exercise/ steam room, a heated pool and Jacuzzi, grocery service, and a lobby bar. After arriving, we only had to park our car once and didn’t need to drive again until it was time to leave since everything is provided on-site, including shuttle service to the local shops and gondola service to nearby Telluride.
With summer temperatures averaging between 70-80 degrees, families can take full advantage of a wide range of activities and events. From May-September, there are many festivals in Telluride: Bluegrass, Wild West, Wine, Jazz, Blues & Brews, and the Telluride Film Festival.
Other activities include bike riding with over 250 miles of trails, hiking, fishing, golf (Balls travel 15 percent further here than at sea level.), off-road jeep tours, rafting, kayaking, or just shopping and relaxing. As an alternative way to sightsee, try a Segway tour courtesy of Dave’s Mountain Tours. These little marvels are a real hoot and adapt to your body’s movements using advanced technology. After familiarizing yourself with the Segway, you can negotiate hills and obstacles and move in reverse all by just slightly shifting your weight. My wife and I found these to be a great way to see Telluride while learning about the area’s history.
There are many dining options in Telluride from simple to extravagant. The New Sheridan Hotel and their Chop House restaurant was one of our favorites offering hot sourdough bread, steaks and seafood. Likewise, Rustico Ristorante had wonderful Italian fare including a vast selection of wines for adults and pizza for kids. The food, ambiance and service of both eateries were excellent.
The Mountain Lodge at Telluride offers specials and packages throughout the year and provides a rustic setting in which to enjoy all of the charm and ambiance of Southwestern Colorado.