Telluride Colorado - Not Just a Bluegrass Festival

Each year Telluride Colorado attracts thousands upon thousands of fans that love bluegrass music, the summer season and the town itself. The Telluride Bluegrass festival put on each year by Planet Bluegrass started in 1974 and attracted a little more than 1,000 participants. In recent years the cap limit on festival participants has been placed at 10,000 people. People love this event because they are actually able to camp in the town park. The trick is to look online early because the lottery is often closed many months before the event is scheduled to take place. This event is for people of all ages, and is not to be missed if you are in the area in mid to late June.

What you may not know is that Telluride is known for more than just this wonderful event. Telluride is definitely a four season town with more emphasis on summer and winter activities. In the winter world class skiing can be found in the gorgeous San Juan Mountains. In the summer, you can enjoy miles of pristine waters to raft or fish on. The spring and fall are typically a little less busy, but this is also the best time to get some great deals on lodging in great hotels.

Let's take a look at some of the many activities that you can participate in by season.

WINTER ACTIVITIES

Skiing
Telluride Ski Resort is a hidden gem nestled in the gorgeous San Juan Mountains. The skiing here is world class and the snow is always good. This ski resort offers two types of town atmospheres. The actual town of Telluride resembles a rugged town that was once famous for mining. Unlike most ski towns, Telluride is not pretentious and is definitely not a see and be seen town. From downtown Telluride you can take the free gondola up to Mountain Village. Here you will find a more refined town with everything you need for a perfect vacation. Perched just above 9,000 feet, this town offers luxury hotels, condos, a spa and world class dining. To choose between the two towns can be a difficult choice, but you will not be disappointed with either choice. If you are looking for more of a challenge to test your skiing ability, you have come to the right place. Telluride offers the only place in Colorado where you are able to go Heli-Skiing. The Heli-Skiing tours offer intermediate to advanced skiers untouched powder with 12,000 to 14,000 vertical feet skied per trip. These guided trips are a great way to see the San Juan's and the best way to enjoy skiing.

Telluride offers many other activities besides skiing. If you need a break from skiing, or you are the family member that doesn't ski you will not be bored. You can take a snowmobile tour, much a team of dogs from your dog sled, go shopping, snowshoeing or cross country skiing. These are only a few of the many activities that Telluride offers, so for more information please visit http://tellurideskiresort.com/TellSki/info/act.aa.aspx .

SPRING AND SUMMER ACTIVITIES

Fishing
Once the snow starts to melt, the runoff flows into the many rivers and ponds surrounding this town. Once the water clears up in later spring, these gold medal rivers and ponds erupt with some of the world's best fishing. These waters are great for the experienced angler, or the beginning novice. There are many shops in the area that can guide your next trip, or give you some pointers on where to go, or what kind of tackle to use.

Golf
The golf is good, and the views are spectacular! This championship mountain resort course offers some of the most stunning views and challenging play around. The Telluride golf course is surrounded by the highest concentration of 14,000 ft peaks in the Untied States. The resort is perched at about 9,000 feet and will do wonders for your distance. At this altitude, expect your ball to fly about 15% farther than at a sea level course.

Hiking and Biking
Because of Telluride's unique location, many hiking and biking trails can be accessed right from downtown. Each hike or bike trip offers unique views of the San Juan Mountains and surrounding area. There is no need to worry if you are inexperienced because there are many trails for beginners as well as more difficult trails for more experienced hikers and bikers. There are even trails near town that are suitable for families with children.

Rafting and Kayaking
Spring and summer is a great time to come to Telluride to enjoy the many miles of rivers. Kayaking and rafting trips can be booked through local tour companies, or if you have your own equipment and are experienced, there are many public access points along the rivers. To check where these access points are, it is wise to check with one of the many shops in town, and they will be willing to give you some good advice about what to expect on the water.

Above are just a few choices for spring and summer activities. For more information about these activities please visit http://www.telluride.net/ .

FALL ACTIVITIES
Fall is a great time to visit Telluride. Many of the activities you can enjoy in the spring and summer can still be enjoyed in fall at more of a discount. Lodging deals tend to be easier to find, golf courses are less crowded, and the fishing is still world class. Many people enjoy ski towns in the fall because they are less crowded than any other time of the year. Not only is it cheaper to stay and play here, but the colors on the trees that are changing are spectacular.

Telluride Hotels
Telluride offers some great choices for your lodging needs. You can stay in the rugged original town of Telluride, or you can reside in the slightly luxurious Mountain Village. Each town offers a distinct choice for your Telluride lodging needs. You can choose from a full service 5 star hotel to a more family oriented slope side condo. Many of the hotels have a spa, concierge, bell staff and other amenities you want for your next vacation.

Telluride is a wonderful town and should not be missed for your next ski vacation. In the famous words of Warren Miller: "If you don't do it this year, you'll be one year older when you do."