Telluride is quite the gem in the buffet of ski resorts that Colorado has to offer. I have skied all over the Centennial State and can truly say as far as resorts go Telluride is truly unique, special, and offers something for everyone. Somewhat off the beaten path, being the closest airports are Montrose or Durango thus preserving the goods for those who happen to live there or are visiting when the skies bless the area with snow.
When I arrived in the first week of March it had snowed 85inches in 5 days the week prior and the terrain had filled in great and almost the entire terrain of the mountain was open. Speaking with a patroller he had said extensive control had been done after that storm due to the high accumulation. So much so they had dropped 30lb charges from a helicopter in the Gold Hill chutes area, which caused some of the chutes to avalanche and leave scary 5ft crowns. This was the only area that was closed in the whole resort due to obvious reasons and danger.
The hike to Black Iron Bowl was open and offered some of the steepest, softest and best lines on the mountain. I made this hike twice and skied Dihedral Chutes as well as Lakeview, both skied amazing being that it was a week after the storm.
Additionally Gold Hill Express chair lift laps were the go to, with fast wide open groomers as well as some great bump skiing with a few natural airs to play on.
I ended the day with some laps off the Plunge lift were I tested my legs by skiing almost 2000 vertical in knee deep moguls, followed by a few laps through the terrain pack.
With much of the west experiencing record droughts and high temps this winter, Telluride is the ticket right now for good terrain and steeps.
PHOTO TOUR
