Telluride Ski Resort Takes Advantage of Longer Days

Telluride, CO - Telluride Ski Resort will be taking full advantage of the longer days and premiere snow conditions this spring as Daylight Savings begins Sunday, March 13.

With warm days and cold nights approaching, and the snow piling up this March, the resort will shift its current operating hours of 9am-4pm to 10am-5pm beginning this Sunday in order for skiers to make the most of these great conditions.

Don't forget to come out this weekend for the New Belgium Scavenger Hunt, Saturday, March 12. Grab some friends, don your wildest costumes and ski around the mountain in search of Big Foot, a giant chicken and their cast of characters to win prizes and raise many for the local non-profit Telluride Adaptive Ski Program.

Telluride Ski Resort Cancels Backcountry Guide Program

Telluride, CO - Telluride Ski Resort announced today that it is canceling its backcountry guide program in the Bear Creek drainage, which is located immediately east of the ski area. The resort cited a lack of alignment with private owners of mining claims in the drainage.

The Resort was originally encouraged by the U.S. Forest Service to provide a guide service to help manage the growing use of the backcountry area.

"Telluride Ski Resort believed it was providing a much needed public service which would help people learn to safely navigate the area," said Resort CEO Dave Riley. "However, certain owners of mining claims, Irene West, Tom Chapman, and Ron Curry, have not accepted our offer to provide insurance and indemnification agreements in return for access privileges across their property."

Despite numerous attempts to reach out to the private land owners, the Ski Resort was unable to get a response. "They literally would not return emails or agree to get together to discuss a solution", said Riley.

The Ski Resort contends that the Chapman mining claims don't cause a barrier to fall line skiing in Bear Creek, but the West mining claim does create a barrier as there is no way to travel down through the drainage from the upper basin to the lower terrain without crossing the West property.

Telluride Ski Resort Master Development Plan Outreach Continues

Vision 2025 Survey Results Posted On-line

Telluride, CO - Telluride Ski Resort has launched a new website, TellurideVision2025.com, in order to engage and inform the public about their process of creating a new Master Development Plan (MDP) for the popular ski area in southwest Colorado.

Five public meetings have been held, where hundreds of people attended and filled out questionnaires after hearing a presentation about expansion ideas from the ski resort CEO, Dave Riley. Two meetings were also held with the Telluride middle school and high school students to get their feedback about the resort's future.

Two on-line surveys were conducted this year, one which listed dozens of potential future projects at the ski resort, and one which focused solely on the potential Delta Bowl Lift and terrain expansion. The new website illustrates the results of those surveys.

"We're very pleased with the amount of participation in the Vision2025 planning process," said Riley. "People from all around the country and the world, as well as a large number of locals, have filled out the surveys and attended the meetings."

The Delta Bowl Lift survey results indicate a strong majority of people that want to see the ski company include the project in the final MDP. Eighty-four percent of the people who filled out the Delta Bowl Lift survey said they support the lift and associated terrain expansion, 10 percent said they did not support the project, and five percent were neutral. "I'm a little surprised that the results were so heavily weighted in favor of the Delta Bowl Lift and terrain expansion. I know that lots of people are in favor of the project, but never guessed that it was so overwhelmingly supported. It's now clear to us that the project is important and has strong support from the public," said Riley.

Survey results show that several other projects are important, such as additional gladed and developed ski runs, more small restaurants, zip lines, and summer trails.

Telluride Welcomes First Heavy Snow of the Season

Telluride, CO - Local skiers and boarders in Telluride awoke this morning to the first heavy snowfall of the season. With the storm total at18 inches mid-mountain and more up on top of Palmyra Peak and Revelation Bowl, the season is off to a good start. Snow covered the surrounding peaks and top of the resort a few times over the last couple weeks, but last night's storm dropped several inches all the way to town.

The National Weather Service is predicting snow showers through tomorrow, with an additional 2-4 inches possible today and 1-2 inches overnight.

"We're thrilled with the early season snow and looking forward to a fantastic year," said Telluride Ski & Golf CEO Dave Riley. "With snowmaking underway and our summer projects nearly complete, including new runs, dinners at Alpino Vino via Snow Coach, and new retail, plus the returning World Cup and a feature in Warren Miller's Wintervention, we are ready for winter."

Buy Now, Save Over 60% Aug. 4- Oct. 29 Purchase the 4 Pass! Four Friends, Four Passes at $998 Each

Telluride, CO - Telluride Ski Resort's annual Summer Pass Sale kicks off Wednesday, August 4, 2010. The sale offers all pass products at deeply discounted rates through Oct. 29, with savings up to 60%. With the addition of the new Gold Hill Stairs and the Gold Hill Chutes terrain expansion, spectacular Palmyra Peak, Revelation Bowl, great restaurants and new gladed terrain, this season is the season to buy a season pass at the Telluride Ski Resort.

Back by popular demand - the 4Pass! New last season, the 4Pass costs just $998 per person, a savings of nearly $1000, with four friends purchasing together. An easy way to get a pass AND three ski buddies guaranteed ! The season adult pass is offered at $1298, more than 30% off the regular season price of $1950. Junior passes are $225 (ages 13-18) and the kids' rate is $175 (6-12 yrs) during the sale, a savings of nearly 65%. Senior passes cost $599 (ages 65 +), as compared to $925 in-season. With proof of 12 credit hours at an accredited college, College Passes can be purchased at a $349 pass sale price, $775 in season. Children 5 & under pay only a $25 processing fee for a season pass for the convenience of bypassing the ticket line each day. No date restrictions apply to season pass products.

The widely popular 6-Day and 10-Day Passes, as well as the Telluride Card offer no date restrictions and incredible deals through the Summer Sale. The 6-Day Pass costs just $450 and the 10-Day Pass just $650. The Telluride Card offers 20% discounts throughout the season, and the passholder skis FREE the 1st day. The Limitless Lesson Pass, available to ages 15 and over, enables the cardholder to unlimited adult group ski & snowboard lessons throughout the season. Holiday blackout dates do apply.

Top 5 Places to Enjoy a Telluride Picnic Basket

Telluride, CO - Spectacular scenery, unbelievable overlooks, festivals ranging from film to blues, concerts in the park, remote mountain meadows - if you were a picnic basket, where would you rather be than Telluride? We're betting this mountain destination ranks in the Top Five places in North America to enjoy a picnic basket...and the Top Five Places in Telluride are:

1. The Mountain Village Sunset Concert Series - Every Wednesday on the lawn in Mountain Village, listen to some of the best contemporary acts around, while noshing on cheese and crackers.

2. Hiking Bear Creek Trail - A perfect hike for beginners and intermediates, the Bear Creek Trail provides spectacular views of San Juan peaks and Bear Creek. Take a basket to the waterfall at the top of the trail.

3. Festivals in Town Park - Grab a picnic basket and head for any festival in Town Park. The upcoming Telluride Jazz Festival or the famous Telluride Blues & Brews Festival are great venues to bring along a picnic basket.

4. Eco Adventures - Grab a picnic and head for one of the many summer activities Eco Adventures offers. Telluride's one-stop shop for outdoor activities, Eco Adventures provides information and booking for all activities, including fly fishing, camping, hiking, rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, as well as a great retail shop.

5. The Telluride Film Festival - Waiting in line to see the next Oscar nominated Film? Getting a little tired of popcorn? Telluride Picnic Baskets are the perfect movie companion for the best of the 2010 films.

So how do you create your picnic basket adventure? First, stop in at Telluride Naturals, the Telluride Resort Store or the Nature Center and purchase a custom Telluride picnic basket. Then, fill it with goods from Telluride Naturals, featuring cheeses from James Ranch, meats from Colorado Elk and wines from Sutcliffe Vineyards. Honeyville jams and jellies, Indian Ridge Farms granola, and Telluride Wine Charms are a fun addition. Get 10% off everything you put in the basket (excluding alcohol) until October 1!

Telluride Seeks Imput on Ski Area Master Plan

Telluride, CO - The Telluride Ski Resort is asking for input from full and part-time residents as well as visitors on how they would like to see the ski area progress.

"We want the public's input, and are using this innovative approach to reach more people who are interested in the future of the ski resort," said CEO Dave Riley.

With the United States Forest Service requesting an update of the resort's master development plan, and the Town of Mountain Village currently updating its own comprehensive master plan, now is a perfect time to express opinions and ideas on the progression of the ski area.

Share your vision for this spectacular alpine community by contributing now at www.tellurideskiresort.com/survey.

Shape the Future of the Ski Resort

Telluride, CO -


Click Here to take the survey.

Richard Thorpe Recognized as Ski Instructor of the Year

Telluride, CO - Ski Instructor extraordinaire Richard Thorpe was awarded Ski/Snowboard Instructor of the year by Colorado Ski Country USA at the 47th CSCUSA Annual Meeting on June 10, 2010. The Double Diamonds Awards Dinner was held at the Denver Center for Performing Arts Complex in downtown Denver, and Thorpe was presented the award by Olympic medalist Gretchen Bleiler.

“I am truly honored to receive this award from Colorado Ski Country,” said Thorpe. “It is so nice to be recognized amongst my peers and the industry as ‘Instructor of the Year’”.

Originally from California, Thorpe began his teaching career at Snoqualmie Summit, Washington, just outside of Seattle. He then spent 11 years teaching at Taos before moving to Telluride in 2000. Richard is a Level 3 Alpine instructor, is accredited as both a basic freestyle and children’s instructor, and is a Telluride ski school staff trainer.

“We have one of the leading ski and snowboard schools in the country, and we are thrilled Richard is a part of our staff,” said CEO Dave Riley. “We are proud of Richard’s achievements.”

Telluride Recently Named 4th Most Charming Town in America 30-50% off Bluegrass, Wine Festival and 4th of July Lodging Available

Telluride, CO - The premier lodging provider in Telluride, Telluride Resort Lodging, announced incredible summer specials today. Telluride's unmatched festival scene, combined with an array of outdoor adventures, a superior golf course and accommodations to fit every need, makes it one of the must-visit summer mountain destinations in the country.

Last Minute Bluegrass 50% Off -The world renowned Bluegrass Festival, June 17-20, boasts lodging specials up to half-off with two or more nights in Telluride, Mountain Village, and Bear Creek Lodge.

Wine Festival 30% Off - Sommeliers and expert wine connoisseurs flock to Telluride from throughout the world for this growing event. Receive 30% off three or more nights lodging, with a bottle of Colorado's own Sutcliffe Vineyards wine included.

4th of July - Celebrate the Fourth of July for free! Stay four or more nights over the 4th of July and get the 4th night free AND a $100 Hop Garden gift card.

"These are unbelievable last minute deals on lodging, with a few extra perks added in," said Hollie Hannahs, Executive Director for Telluride Resort Lodging. "Telluride Festivals are just outstanding fun for kids and adults alike."

Telluride Resort Lodging is also offering 25% off all 2010 Festival Lodging. Later summer festivals not to be missed include Telluride Jazz Festival, Telluride Film Festival and Telluride Blues-n-Brews. Fantastic lodging options are available in both Telluride and Mountain Village. Telluride's free Gondola stays open until 2:00 a.m. during festivals making stays in Mountain Village a convenient option for festival goers!

MountainFilm in Telluride

Telluride, CO

Storm Brings 6 inches of Powder and Continues

Telluride, CO - With more epic snow than one could imagine, the ski season ends at the Telluride Ski Resort Sunday, April 4 with appearances by the Easter Bunny and the Drew Emmitt Band. Six inches have fallen on the mountain this morning, with five to ten more inches predicted by the National Weather Service today and this evening.

The annual KOTO Street Dance kicks off the weekend of festivities Friday, April 2 at 3:30 p.m., with the band 525 opening for Ralph Dinosaur and the Fabulous Volcanoes. The streets of Telluride will be filled with celebration, including the Pink Flamingo Costume Contest with prizes for kids and adults for best costume.

On Sunday, April 4, The Easter Bunny will make special appearances hopping down the Telluride bunny trails. The Bunny can be seen on Lifts 1, 10 and 4 throughout the morning for photo opportunities and autographs. Three simultaneous Easter egg hunts will be taking place on Village Bypass, on the Meadows and in the Enchanted Forest at 10 a.m. Candy and toys will be hidden in Easter eggs throughout the mountain, and the Easter Bunny will be handing out candy all morning.

Drew Emmitt and friends will be warming up for the special appearance at Gorrono Ranch at the Telluride Ski Resort, 2 p.m. Following a decade of success with Leftover Salmon, Drew Emmitt is revered as one of the most energetic and innovative mandolin players on the jamband / newgrass scene today. Jack Daniels, Bacardi, Margarita and Mojito specialty bars will be set up around the deck at Gorrono Ranch, as well as New Belgium beers.

The Gorrono deck party will be free to skiers and riders with valid lift tickets and passes. No outside alcohol will be allowed. Backpacks and bags will be checked for security purposes and wrist bands will be issued with valid ID for those 21 and over.

Telluride Ski Resort Announces Backcountry Guiding Program

Telluride, CO - The Telluride Ski Resort announces the development and implementation of a guided backcountry skiing program to begin as early as this week. Terrain in both Bear Creek and Alta Lakes will now be accessible for guided backcountry skiing with Telluride Backcountry guides.
Working with the Telluride Ski Patrol’s snow safety department, the guide service will determine backcountry accessibility and travel daily. This program, in conjunction with the USFS issuance of a special use permit, will commence on March 23, 2010.

Working with the Telluride Ski Patrol’s snow safety department, the guide service will determine backcountry accessibility and travel daily. This program, in conjunction with the USFS issuance of a special use permit, will commence on March 23, 2010.

Telluride Continues to Increase Incredible Inbounds Terrain Access

Stairs and Bridge Airlifted Via Helicopter This Morning
Telluride, CO - Reflecting a European skiing experience found in Chamonix, France, the Telluride Ski Resort airlifted a new bridge and staircase to the left shoulder of Palmyra Peak this morning at approximately 8 am. Heliqwest, a helicopter company based out of Canada, airlifted two steel staircases and bridge over the ski resort to its final resting place – the span between Gold Hill Chutes 8 and 9.
“This addition is a continuation of our efforts to provide ski experience which is ‘Unmatched in North America,’” said Dave Riley, CEO of the resort. “This project was extremely technical, and our in house staff has done a phenomenal job in both planning and execution. The Telluride Ski Resort is thrilled to once again expand easy access into epic inbounds terrain.”

The stairs and bridge were designed and fabricated by 12 year veteran and Lift Master Mechanic, Mark Boss. With the company since 1997, Boss custom created, constructed and brought the project to fruition over the several months.

The two sets of stairs measure 48 and 54 feet, and weigh 3304 and 3324 pounds, respectively. The bridge measures 24 feet in length and weighs 2750 pounds. All three components measure 30 inches wide, feature hand railings on both sides and serrated grated steel walking surface. Together, the stairway and bridge combine make up 126 linear feet ascending Gold Hill. While the new addition will be under construction to solidify access for a couple of days, the new stairs and bridge will be available for use by Saturday, Feb. 27, 2010, weather permitting.
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