Where should I stay - Telluride or Mountain Village? 

You are never far from the action whether you choose to stay in the town of Telluride or Mountain Village. The free Gondola efficiently carries you between the two villages and once in town, everything is within walking distance.

The town of Telluride is characterized by its mining town past. It has retained much of its Old West, ski town charm. The world-class shopping, restaurants, and nightlife are located on and around Main Street in downtown Telluride. Guests staying in Telluride have access to the ski resort via Lifts 7 and 8 and the free Gondola. Town Park, the venue for many of the renowned summer festivals, is situated at the far east end of town.

Mountain Village is a more modern European-style ski village with direct access to the Telluride Ski Resort. The Village has a variety of shops, restaurants, and nightlife.    

Looking for maps? Check out our Maps of Telluride and Mountain Village and check out our lodging options.

How do I get from Telluride to Mountain Village? 

Traveling between Telluride and Mountain Village is a breeze with the FREE Gondola, the first and only free transportation system of its kind in North America. The gondola is open daily from 6:30 am to midnight (with extended hours on Friday and Saturday night until 2 am). A lift tickets is required during the winter to get off at the top Station San Sophia. The Gondola is closed during the off-season (see paragraph below). 

Nearby airports?

The Telluride Regional Airport, 6 miles from Telluride, is the closest and is served by the Denver Air Connection (bookable through United) with daily flights to/from Denver.

The Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is the primary airport for Telluride, and is a scenic 65 miles away. During the winter months, guests can take advantage of nonstop flights from 11 major hubs, and summer offers nonstop service from 5 major U.S. cities. Several transportation companies provide service from Telluride to Montrose. Rental cars are also available at the Montrose Airport, but we recommend the ground transportation option as once you arrive in Telluride a car is unnecessary.

What is off-season?  

Many guests visit Telluride during the winter season (Thanksgiving through early April) to enjoy a ski vacation or experience the beauty of summer/fall (mid-May through mid-October).

Off-season is considered the shoulder seasons between winter and summer. Spring off-season runs from the second week in April to mid-May and the fall off season runs from mid-October to Thanksgiving. The gondola as well as many restaurants, businesses and hotels are closed during this time. Guests can still visit during off season but things are very quiet which is ideal for those seeking rest and relaxation.