Telluride is in a class of its own. It does not have the “see and be seen” feel of Aspen. It is very laid back and people are super nice and helpful. You get the true American spirit. Family friendly beyond imagination.

With nonstop flights from LAX – 1 hrs 38 min to Montrose, Colorado – it is a dream of a destination. The Telluride airport is only 8-10minutes from the mountain village where Capella Telluride is. If you can’t land in Telluride and you have to go to Montrose, there’s the Telluride Express Shuttle at the airport which can take you to Capella. It takes about 75-90 minutes on a two-lane road. ($50.00 per person each way).  The drivers were fun and informative.

Telluride is developed like twin cities connected by a very comfortable complimentary gondola service- takes maybe 10min to go from one to the other. It is designed to keep car traffic to minimum, and is better than any European or any North American ski spot I have seen.

One part is Telluride Town, which is the lower historic mining town of Telluride, with its pastel colored  gingerbread houses, restaurants and shops. The other part is Mountain Village, built to accommodate the skiers and snowboarders at a higher altitude. There are so many lifts and levels  you never have to wait in line to ski. It is extremely well organized. There’s no need to rent a car as gondola and your feet will be able to take you just about anywhere you need once you are at the hotel.

Capella Telluride is the brainchild of the gentleman who created Ritz Carlton. It is a very comfortable hotel without being over the top. I stayed here and loved it. It is like home away from home.

As soon as you arrive the bell boys take your skis off your hands and the next time you see them is right before you step on them to ski the next morning. Hotel also has a ski valet which is right across the street which takes care of all your ski needs. And you just start skiing right form there. So no schlepping at all. The slopes are the best groomed slopes I have ever seen.

Hotel rooms are spacious well laid out — with extremely comfortable beds. Your room comes with a stocked fridge with soft beverages: water, Pellegrino, diet Coke and different juices.

They also have a very nice living room at the hotel, with personal assistants to help you with all your needs while you are there.  There is all day coffee and tea service along with muffins, cookies and fruits.

Breakfast at the hotel’s restaurant, Onyx, is USD 19.00 per person plus tax and service.

Other fun things you can do besides just regular skiing are:  Heli Skiing (about 850.00 a day), Nastar Racing, back country tours, snow shoeing, dog sledding etc… The Historical Museum  in the historic town of Telluride is definitely a must see.

The fun restaurants: 1- Allred – with a private dining room – closed off.  Best if you are around 26 people. More can be accommodated but the doors have to be open so then it becomes semi private.  Just a Gondola ride up from the Hotel. You are there in 5-7 min.  2-  Cosmopolitan –Getting here is same like New Sheridan. 3- New Sheridan Chop House – their private room is very nice – I liked that one the best but can also be a bit too tight if the numbers go over 28-30 people.  This is in town. So you have to take the gondola to town and walk for 3-4 minutes. 4- Onyx at the Capella – fun food. 5- Piazza Del Villagio located at the Mountain Village. Here you can walk from Capella in 2 minutes and have dinner. This is the only true Italian place in town and the owner is an Italian lady by way of Australia.

Best bars: 1-Suede at the Capella.  2-The bar at the Inn at Lost Creek at the mountain village.  3.New Sheridan Chop house Bar in town.

Ayse Boykin
ayse.b@travelstoreusa.com

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