Things to Do in Telluride: Beyond Skiing in Colorado's Box Canyon

Telluride’s identity extends far beyond its reputation as a challenging ski destination. This box canyon town of 2,600 permanent residents hosts world-class film and music festivals, provides access to hundreds of miles of alpine trails, operates North America’s only free public gondola, and maintains a Victorian downtown that feels authentically preserved rather than theme-park manufactured. The combination creates a year-round destination where you’ll find compelling activities regardless of season, weather, or whether you even ski. For detailed skiing information, see our ski resort guide . To plan your visit timing, check our best time to visit guide .

I’ve spent time in Telluride across all four seasons, and what strikes me most is how the town transforms while maintaining its essential character. Winter brings skiing and snow-focused activities, summer delivers festivals and alpine hiking, fall showcases golden aspen groves, and spring offers that transitional period when locals reclaim their town. Each season reveals different facets of what makes Telluride special, with activities that go well beyond the obvious tourist attractions.

Downtown Telluride Hotels

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Whether you’re planning a ski-focused winter trip or a summer festival visit, Telluride offers diverse accommodations to match your needs. The town’s compact size means you’re never far from the action, whether that’s the slopes, the gondola, or downtown’s dining and nightlife.

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The Free Gondola: More Than Transportation

The gondola connecting downtown Telluride with Mountain Village operates year-round and costs absolutely nothing—a rarity in American ski resorts where lift tickets approach $200. This 13-minute ride climbs 1,700 vertical feet over the box canyon, offering constantly changing perspectives of 13,000-foot peaks, Victorian buildings, and the ski terrain carved into the mountain.

But calling it transportation undersells the experience. The suspended journey provides bird’s-eye views of the town laid out on the canyon floor, with historic buildings creating a miniature village effect from above. Midway through the ride, the perspective shifts to showcase the surrounding peaks and the dramatic geology that created this box canyon. By the time you reach Mountain Village, you’ve experienced a comprehensive visual tour of Telluride’s geography.

Sunset rides capture golden light illuminating the peaks in warm hues, creating particularly photogenic conditions. Winter visitors can ride up and ski down, experiencing both perspectives of the mountain. Summer hikers use it to access higher elevation trailheads without the exhausting climb. The mid-station at Station San Sophia provides a third option—exit here to explore the intermediate elevation, then catch the next cabin to continue.

The gondola runs from approximately 7 AM to midnight daily, with extended hours during special events. Morning lines can develop during ski season (8:30-10 AM), but arriving early or waiting until mid-morning avoids the crowds. Evening rides offer a completely different experience, with the town’s lights twinkling below and the peaks silhouetted against the darkening sky.

The free gondola connects downtown's historic district to Mountain Village's alpine activities

Hiking Telluride’s Alpine Trails

The mountains surrounding Telluride contain hundreds of miles of trails ranging from gentle nature walks to challenging alpine routes that test even fit hikers. For detailed trail information, see the Uncompahgre National Forest website. The elevation—8,750 feet in town and much higher on the trails—affects everyone differently, so start with easier hikes to assess your acclimatization before committing to all-day epics.

Bear Creek Trail, starting from the south end of town, leads to a spectacular waterfall and continues into high alpine terrain. The initial 2-mile approach to the falls gains about 1,000 feet through aspen and evergreen forest, creating a moderate hike suitable for most fitness levels. The waterfall itself drops over 100 feet in a series of cascades, with viewing areas providing photo opportunities. Continuing beyond the falls takes you into more challenging terrain, with the full trail climbing to Bear Creek Basin and offering connections to other high routes.

Jud Wiebe Trail creates a 3-mile loop with excellent views of the box canyon and surrounding peaks. The trail climbs steeply from the trailhead, gaining about 1,200 feet in the first mile before leveling out along a ridge. The views from the top justify the climb, with the entire town visible below and Wilson Peak dominating the southern skyline. The loop returns via a gentler descent, making this a satisfying half-day hike that showcases Telluride’s dramatic setting.

The gondola opens up high-elevation hiking without the exhausting climb from town. From the top of the gondola at Mountain Village, numerous trails head into the alpine zone. The Village Trail provides an easy introduction to high-elevation hiking, while more ambitious routes like the Wasatch Trail climb toward 12,000+ foot ridges with expansive views across the San Juan Mountains.

Bridal Veil Falls, Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall at 365 feet, sits at the head of the box canyon. A rough 4WD road provides vehicle access for those with appropriate vehicles and confidence, while hiking trails approach from different angles. The falls flow strongest in June and July when snowmelt feeds maximum water volume. The historic power plant perched atop the falls—the world’s first commercial AC power plant, built in 1895—adds historical interest to the natural spectacle.

Hotels for Summer Activities

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Festival Season: World-Class Events in a Mountain Setting

Telluride’s festival calendar rivals towns ten times its size, with world-class events attracting visitors from across the globe. The town’s compact size and dramatic setting create intimate festival experiences where you might find yourself standing next to performers at the grocery store or sharing a gondola ride with filmmakers. For timing your visit around festivals, see our best time to visit guide . To find accommodations, check our where to stay guide .

The Telluride Bluegrass Festival in late June represents the town’s longest-running and most iconic event. Four days of music fill Town Park with performances from established stars and emerging artists, creating a scene that blends serious musicianship with festival party atmosphere. The campground becomes a temporary community where musicians jam late into the night and friendships form around shared love of bluegrass. If you’re not attending the festival, avoid this weekend entirely—the town transforms completely, with crowds and prices peaking.

The Telluride Film Festival over Labor Day weekend rivals Sundance and Cannes for industry importance. Major films premiere here, celebrities and filmmakers descend on the town, and serious cinema enthusiasts fill every screening. The festival’s intimate scale creates opportunities for interactions impossible at larger events—post-screening Q&As with directors, chance encounters with actors at restaurants, and a general sense that you’re part of something special rather than just another face in the crowd.

Other festivals cover jazz, blues, mushroom foraging, wine, and various cultural themes. Each brings its own character and crowd, transforming the town while maintaining that essential Telluride atmosphere. The festivals require advance planning—hotels book months ahead, and ticket sales often sell out. But experiencing Telluride during a major festival reveals a different side of the town’s personality.

Upcoming Telluride Festivals

MAY

21

Mountainfilm

Mountainfilm is a documentary film festival that showcases nonfiction stories about environmental, cultural, climbing, and adventure themes.

JUN

11

Telluride Food + Vine

Telluride Food + Vine is the area's premier food and wine weekend, providing the ultimate epicurean experience in the mountains.

JUN

18

Telluride Bluegrass Festival

Every June, Festivarians make the annual pilgrimage to Telluride for the Telluride Bluegrass Festival. Nestled in the box canyon, it's a magical experience.

JUN

25

Telluride Yoga Festival

The longest running yoga festival in the country, the Telluride Yoga Festival is a four-day yoga and wellness gathering in the mountains.

SEP

2

Telluride Film Festival

The Telluride Film Festival over Labor Day weekend rivals Sundance and Cannes for industry importance. Major films premiere here, celebrities and filmmakers descend on the town.

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Exploring Downtown Telluride’s Victorian Character

Colorado Avenue, Telluride’s main street, stretches four walkable blocks lined with Victorian storefronts dating to the 1880s. These preserved buildings now house art galleries, boutiques, restaurants, and bars, creating a downtown that feels authentically historic rather than artificially themed. You can walk the entire street in 15 minutes, yet you could spend hours exploring the shops, galleries, and cafes.

The architecture tells Telluride’s history through ornate Victorian details, false-front buildings, and period facades. Many structures date to the mining boom of the 1880s-1890s, when Telluride produced millions in gold and silver. The buildings survived boom-and-bust cycles, fires, and the town’s near-abandonment in the mid-20th century, emerging as a preserved snapshot of Colorado’s mining era.

Gallery hopping reveals remarkable local art talent, with many artists inspired by the surrounding landscape and mountain culture. The galleries range from traditional Western art to contemporary photography to abstract works, with quality that surprises visitors expecting typical tourist town offerings. Several galleries represent nationally recognized artists who maintain studios in or near Telluride, drawn by the landscape and the community.

The dining scene punches well above its weight for a town of 2,400 residents. Allred’s, accessible via gondola mid-mountain, serves upscale American cuisine with views that rival any restaurant in Colorado. 221 South Oak brings fine dining to street level with a menu that changes seasonally. For more casual options, There Bar and Grill serves elevated pub food, while Brown Dog Pizza delivers quality pies in a relaxed setting.

Historic saloons like the New Sheridan Bar and Last Dollar Saloon maintain original bars and period details while serving modern craft cocktails. These aren’t tourist traps—they’re genuine local gathering spots where you’re as likely to meet longtime residents as fellow visitors. The bars’ history includes serving everyone from miners to movie stars, and that democratic spirit continues today.

Hotels for Festival Season

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Mountain Biking and Summer Activities

Summer transforms the ski resort into a mountain biking destination, with lift-served downhill trails and extensive cross-country options in the surrounding national forest. The resort develops dedicated downhill trails ranging from flowy intermediate runs to technical expert terrain, with the gondola and select lifts providing uphill transport.

The lift-served trails eliminate the grinding climbs that make mountain biking exhausting, allowing you to focus on the descents. Beginners can start with easier trails and progress as skills develop, while experienced riders can lap advanced terrain multiple times in a day. Bike rentals and lessons are available at the resort, making this accessible even if you don’t travel with your own equipment.

Cross-country riders can access hundreds of miles of trails in the surrounding Uncompahgre National Forest. Routes range from mellow valley rides to challenging alpine singletrack, with options for all skill levels. The high elevation and mountain terrain create demanding riding, but the scenery and trail quality justify the effort.

Beyond biking, summer offers rock climbing, fly fishing, stand-up paddleboarding on nearby lakes, and scenic drives through the San Juan Mountains. The Via Ferrata at Mountain Village provides a unique climbing experience with fixed cables and ladders allowing non-climbers to access dramatic cliff faces safely. Guided tours handle the technical aspects while you focus on the views and the adrenaline.

Hot Springs and Wellness

The Telluride area doesn’t have natural hot springs within town, but several options exist within driving distance. Orvis Hot Springs, about 35 miles north near Ridgway, offers multiple pools with varying temperatures and clothing-optional policies. The setting is low-key and focused on soaking rather than resort amenities, appealing to travelers seeking authentic hot springs experiences.

Ouray, 45 miles north, bills itself as the “Switzerland of America” and features multiple hot springs pools including the Ouray Hot Springs Pool and various hotel-based options. The drive from Telluride to Ouray crosses Red Mountain Pass via the Million Dollar Highway, one of Colorado’s most scenic and dramatic mountain roads. The drive itself justifies the trip, with the hot springs providing a relaxing conclusion.

Hot springs locations near Telluride: Orvis Hot Springs (35 miles north) and Ouray Hot Springs (45 miles north)

Within Telluride, several hotels offer spa services and heated pools. The Peaks Resort & Spa features a 42,000-square-foot Golden Door Spa with eucalyptus steam rooms, heated outdoor pools, and extensive treatment menus. The Madeline Hotel offers spa services and heated pools with mountain views. These aren’t natural hot springs, but they provide post-skiing or post-hiking recovery in luxurious settings. For hotel recommendations, see our best hotels guide . To compare Mountain Village and downtown locations, check our slopeside vs town hotels guide .

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you do in Telluride if you don’t ski?

Plenty. The free gondola offers spectacular views year-round, downtown features excellent dining and shopping, hiking trails access alpine terrain in summer, and the festival calendar brings world-class events. Winter non-skiers can snowshoe, cross-country ski, or simply enjoy the mountain town atmosphere. Many visitors come specifically for festivals or hiking, never touching ski equipment.

Is Telluride good for families with kids?

Yes, though the town’s compact size and limited kid-specific attractions mean it works best for families who enjoy outdoor activities together. The free gondola entertains kids, hiking trails offer family-friendly options, and the ski resort has excellent children’s programs. However, Telluride lacks the water parks, arcades, and dedicated kids’ entertainment found at larger resorts.

What’s the best season to visit Telluride for non-skiing activities?

Late June through September offers the most activity options, with hiking, mountain biking, festivals, and pleasant weather. Late September provides spectacular fall colors with fewer crowds. Summer brings the busiest festival season and highest hotel rates outside of winter. Shoulder seasons (May, October) offer solitude and value but limited services and unpredictable weather.

Can you visit Telluride on a budget?

It’s challenging but possible. The free gondola, hiking trails, and downtown exploration cost nothing. Shoulder season hotel rates drop significantly. Cooking some meals rather than dining out every night helps control costs. However, Telluride ranks among Colorado’s most expensive destinations, with high prices for accommodations, dining, and activities. Budget travelers should plan carefully and set realistic expectations.

How many days should you spend in Telluride?

For a ski-focused trip, 4-5 days provides enough time to explore the mountain without feeling rushed. Summer visits can be shorter—2-3 days for hiking and exploring, or longer if attending festivals. The town’s compact size means you can see main attractions relatively quickly, but the surrounding mountains offer endless exploration for those with more time.

Planning Your Telluride Activities

Telluride rewards visitors who plan around their specific interests and the season they’re visiting. Winter focuses on skiing but offers plenty of non-skiing activities for mixed-ability groups. Summer opens up hiking, biking, and festivals, with the warmest weather and longest days. Fall provides spectacular scenery with minimal crowds. Spring is transitional and best avoided unless you’re seeking extreme solitude.

Don’t try to do everything—Telluride’s appeal lies partly in its relaxed pace and the opportunity to slow down. Choose a few priority activities, build in flexibility for weather and energy levels, and leave room for spontaneous discoveries. The best Telluride experiences often happen when you’re not following a rigid itinerary but rather responding to conditions, recommendations, and your own interests. For more activity ideas, check our complete guide to Telluride or browse all Telluride activities .

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