--- title: "Find your stay in Telluride" canonical: "https://www.firstchair.com/destinations/colorado/telluride" --- # Find your stay in Telluride [First Chair Destinations](https://www.firstchair.com/) › [Colorado](https://www.firstchair.com/destinations/colorado) › Telluride, Colorado Explore homes for every kind of mountain escape ## Two towns, one gondola Telluride is a Victorian mining town at the floor of a box canyon in the San Juan Mountains, connected to the modern ski base at Mountain Village by a free gondola over a 10,540-foot ridge Its visitors enjoy steep, varied terrain paired with a National Historic Landmark district, an outsized dining and festival scene, premier accommodations, and year-round mountain recreation. At Telluride Ski Resort, beginners will find dedicated learning terrain and gentle groomers, while experienced skiers come for the chutes, hike-to bowls, and more than 3,800 feet of lift-served vertical. The free gondola (the first and only free public transportation system of its kind in North America) runs from early morning to midnight and links the two sides in thirteen minutes, so guests in either town reach the lifts, the restaurants, and each other without ever getting in a car. ## Everything you need to know ### How do I get to Telluride? Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) is about 10 minutes from both Telluride and Mountain Village, with year-round nonstop service from Denver. Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) is 65 miles away and offers more options, served by American, United, Delta, Southwest, and Breeze, with nonstop winter flights from ten major hubs. ### How far is Telluride from Denver? About 331 miles, or roughly six hours by car. Most visitors fly instead, and the Denver-to-Telluride flight is around 40 minutes in the air. ### Should I stay in Telluride or Mountain Village? Telluride is the historic town in the canyon, with Victorian storefronts, most of the restaurants and bars, and walkable access to Town Park. Mountain Village sits above at 9,500 feet with ski-in/ski-out lodging and modern amenities. The free gondola connects them in about 13 minutes, so either works. ### Do I need a rental car in Telluride? No. Visit Telluride recommends ground transportation over renting, since a car isn't needed once you arrive. The free gondola links the two towns and both are walkable. A car only helps if you plan to explore the wider San Juan region. ### Can beginners ski Telluride? Yes. The resort has dedicated learning terrain and gentle groomed runs alongside its steeper offerings. That said, Telluride is best known for advanced terrain, so beginners should plan on lessons and stick to the designated learning areas early in the trip. ### Is Telluride good for advanced skiers? Yes. The resort spans more than 2,000 acres across two interconnected mountains, with steep chutes, hike-to bowls, and over 3,800 feet of lift-served vertical from a 12,570-foot summit. It's regarded as one of the more challenging mountains in Colorado. ### Is Telluride walkable? Very. The historic town is eight blocks wide and twelve blocks long, with shops, restaurants, and galleries concentrated along Colorado Avenue. Mountain Village is compact and pedestrian-oriented as well. The gondola will take you quickly between them. ### Is Telluride a good place to visit in the summer? Yes. The gondola runs year-round, and the festival calendar is dense — Mountainfilm in May, Bluegrass in June, Jazz and Mushroom in August, Film Festival over Labor Day, and Blues & Brews in September. Hiking, biking, and Bridal Veil Falls fill the days between. ### Is the gondola really free? Yes. The Telluride–Mountain Village gondola is the only free public transportation system of its kind in North America. It runs year-round, carries skiers and pedestrians alike, and crosses the 10,540-foot San Sophia ridge between the two towns. ### How do I handle the altitude in Telluride? The town sits at roughly 8,750 feet and Mountain Village at 9,500, with the ski summit at 12,570. Drink more water than usual, ease off alcohol the first night, and don’t plan your hardest day for day one. Most people adjust within 48 hours. ### How many days should I stay in Telluride? Four to five days works well. Given the travel involved, a shorter trip spends too much of itself in transit. A longer stay lets you adjust to the altitude, ski, and spend time in both towns without rushing. ## All homes in Telluride - [Blue Mesa 20a - Rocky Mountain Lookout](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1090378) · sleeps 2 - [Centrum 303 - Mountain Village Dreams](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091872) · 1 bd · sleeps 4 - [Cimarron 13 - Mountain Retreat](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091291) · 3 bd · sleeps 6 - [Cimarron 28 - Cimarron Lift](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091266) · 2 bd · sleeps 6 - [Colorado East 215 - The Telluride Historic](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091322) · 2 bd · sleeps 4 - [Colorado East 735 - Idlewood East](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1090110) · 3 bd · sleeps 8 - [Country Club 232 - Telluride Bliss](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091320) · 4 bd · sleeps 8 - [Courcheval E - Courcheval Nest](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091309) · 4 bd · sleeps 12 - [Dakota 7 - Dakota Peak](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091310) · 3 bd · sleeps 7 - [Deer Park 268 - Ski Ranches](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091321) · 3 bd · sleeps 6 - [Depot 417 - Telluride Memories](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1090125) · 4 bd · sleeps 10 - [Double Diamond 24 - Chalet](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091871) · 2 bd · sleeps 4 - [Kayenta 3 - Lost Creek Vista](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1090116) · 2 bd · sleeps 7 - [Livery 2C - Crystal Livery](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091874) · 2 bd · sleeps 4 - [Lodges on Sundance #9 - 118 Lodges Lane - Pine Palace](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091324) · 3 bd · sleeps 7 - [Mountain Hideaway Ski-in-ski-out - Columbia Place #8](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1151960) · 2 bd · sleeps 6 - [Pacific West 471 A - Pacific Pine](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1090383) · 4 bd · sleeps 9 - [Riverside A02 - Riverside Chickadee](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091365) · 1 bd · sleeps 4 - [Riverside C101 - Riverside Wren](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091875) · 2 bd · sleeps 4 - [Riverside C203 - Riverside Owl](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091316) · 2 bd · sleeps 4 - [Terraces 1202 - Terraces Pathway](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091274) · 3 bd · sleeps 8 - [Terraces 502](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091273) · 1 bd · sleeps 6 - [Trails Edge 3 - Trails Edge Stream](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1090381) · 2 bd · sleeps 6 - [Viking Lodge 109 - Viking Venue](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091329) · 1 bd · sleeps 4 - [Viking Lodge 218](https://www.firstchair.com/property/1091873) · 1 bd · sleeps 2 --- For photos, current rates and availability, see the page: https://www.firstchair.com/destinations/colorado/telluride