If you’ve ever longed to experience the amazing skiing and the beauty of the Swiss Alps, but your wallet hasn’t allowed you to do so, a trip to Telluride, Colorado is a great substitute. No, Telluride is not really a bargain hunter’s vacation find, but it’s certainly less expensive than traveling to the Alps and it’s almost as beautiful and the skiing is pretty amazing.

According to those in know, Telluride is “the new Aspen.” Located in the southwestern portion of the Rocky Mountains, the former mining town, turned upscale ski destination, offers skiers of all ages and abilities an excellent skiing adventure. The historic town is small and cozy and nearly everything is within walking distance, including the chair lift and gondola. It is nestled inside an incredible box canyon so everywhere you look is an alpine mountain wall.

Connected to Telluride via the Gondola, is Mountain Village, a sort of suburb to the town of telluride. It was founded in 1987 and it features several upscale lodges, restaurants, condos and shopping areas and is home to many of the worlds rich and famous. Both mountain towns link to the slopes and lifts.

Mountain Facts

The Telluride Ski Resort features 1,700 acres of skiable terrain at elevations ranging from 8,725 at the base of Coonskin trail to 12,260 feet at Gold Hill Summit. The mountain includes a total of 84 trails, about a third of which are beginner, intermediate or advanced. Skiers who enjoy variety will not be bored in Telluride. The trails interconnect nicely, allowing skiers to try out different paths to the bottom all day long. The longest trail is the Galloping Goose, which is 4.6 miles long. There are sixteen lifts, including two high speed gondolas and seven high speed quads, which keep wait times short. The Telluride mountains enjoy an annual snowfall of 309 inches and there is snow making capabilities to ensure there are always well groomed trails.