Visit Telluride During the Holidays

When I first moved to Telluride, Colorado, I couldn't get over the fact that I could ski on Christmas and New Year's without having to drive for hours and battle crowds, and coming from the east coast, hang on for dear life on black ice. No, here I could just walk right out my door and hit the Telluride slopes.

Sixteen years later, I still can't believe how privileged I am. I've skied just about every Christmas—after opening presents and downing a breakfast of champions—and every New Year's, even with a stinger of a headache. But aside from getting to ski (or snowboard for all you shralpers), Telluride has lots more going on during the holiday season off the slopes.

For one thing, the town of Telluride is like stepping right out of a fairy tale. Brightly colored buildings, adorned in lights with icicles hanging from their eaves, line main street. Smiling, rosy-cheeked people, all bundled in hats and scarves, wander in an out of shops and restaurants, shovel snow, and ride bicycles (yes, locals are known for cycling the slick streets all winter long). It's a jolly winter wonderland, not to mention charming with a capital "C." Snow and skiing make people happy around here.

As for things to do...With the kids, there's ice skating in the Mountain Village Center and at the Telluride Town Park, as well as a great sledding hill in Town Park. On December 24^th-25^th, Santa skis on the mountain and is available for photos after 3 p.m. at Gorrono Ranch. On New Year's Eve, torchlight parades descend from atop the ski area into both Telluride and Mountain Village. There's also a fireworks show in Mountain Village.

For older kids and adults, Nordic and skate skiing on the Valley Floor and in Town Park are great daytime alternatives to the Telluride ski area. And in the evenings, there's a slew of activities. Warren Miller's latest ski flick (his 61^st film entitled, "Wintervention") airs on December 23^rd , and music concerts happen virtually every night. To name a few, there's: An Acoustic Evening with Shawn Colvin and John Oates on December 27^th; A Tribute to The Rolling Stones on December 29^th; Solo Acoustic Performance by Citizen Cope on December 30^th; the New Year's Eve Gala with Chubby Checker and the Wild Cats on December 31^st and January 1^st; and Reggae Legends, The Mighty Diamonds on January 2^nd.

Year after year, the holiday season never grows old in these beautiful mountains. No matter if you live here or are just visiting in a Telluride vacation rental, it really is like living the dream.