5 Reasons Why Summers in Mountain Village Are Splendid
Mountain Village is a luxe European-style hamlet that sits at 9,545 feet, nestled alongside the Telluride Ski Resort and connected to its historic sister community by the free, stroller-, bike-, pet- and access-friendly Gondola. Come summertime, Mountain Village has so much to offer. Here are our top five:
1. Abundant adventure. Head to Mountain Village for outdoor activities that are sure-fire memory makers. The ski resort’s Canopy Adventure offers a course of ziplines and rappels that that reaches a maximum height of 140 feet and spans of up to 1,800 feet. Also on the ski resort is the uber-popular Telluride Bike Park with 30 miles of interconnected lift accessed trails — a network of freeride, technical and cross-country routes for almost every level. The park ties into established biking trails that are part of a wider area network. For hikers, varied trails wind their way around Mountain Village and the surrounding slopes.
2. Family-friendly fun. Mountain Village is a kids’ paradise. The Village Center is car-free and chockful of kid-centric activities including a bouldering rock, ropes course, bungee trampoline, disc golf and giant Jenga and Connect Four. Nearby Elks Lake is the community’s fishing spot (gear can be rented from local outfitters), while courts beside the Peaks Resort and Spa are suitable for tennis, paddle and pickle ball and guarantee fun in the sun. This summer, the weekly Market on the Plaza, held Wednesdays on Heritage Plaza, features entertaining children’s shows by Telluride Theatre Aug. 10-31, ideal for budding thespians.
3. Mountain music. All summer, the sun-drenched plazas of Mountain Village are made vibrant with free live music. Try the Music on the Green series, which takes place Friday evenings on Reflection Plaza, live music on Heritage Plaza afternoons Friday-Sunday and, the granddaddy of Mountain Village’s outdoor music scene, the Sunset Music Series, Wednesdays and select Thursddays on Sunset Plaza. Grab to-go from a local eatery or pack a picnic, and, since the entire Village Center is a common consumption area, enjoy a cocktail, mocktail or brew, all while listening to a range of nationally touring and emerging acts.
4. Buon appetito at altitude. Mountain Village offers delish dining options for a range of tastes and budgets that run the gamut from elegant fine dining and casual pub grub to grab-and-go and scrumptious food carts. Diners can make an experience of it all by ordering to-go and enjoying it in the Cabins at Mountain Village — offline Gondola carriages that have been repurposed as cozy dining spots and which dot the Village Center. Each cabin has been decorated with its own, distinctive wrap designed by a local artist, making for a memorable and picturesque meal, light bite or drink.
5. A beautiful, buzzy Village Center. All summer long, Mountain Village’s Village Center is abuzz with activity and events. To take it all in, grab a sunny bench in Heritage Plaza and watch hikers and bikers heading out or coming back from a day on the mountain; giddy kids enjoying the freedom of the car-free plaza; characterful food carts serving up their fresh and inventive fare; Wednesday’s Market on the Plaza with its bounties of fresh, regional and sustainable produce and original artisan creations; live music; shoppers taking part in some retail therapy with a beverage in hand (remember, the Village Center is a common consumption area); and much, much more, all against a stunning backdrop of the highest concentration of 13,000- and 14,000-foot peaks in North America.