Telluride

Just eight blocks wide and twelve blocks long, and at a base elevation of 8,750 feet (2,668 m), Telluride offers visitors small stores and galleries, historic charm, and mountain spirit. Just over the ridge—via Station St. Sophia at 10,535 feet (4,027 m)—lies the Mountain Village at 9,540 feet (2,910 m), which is a 92-acre (37-ha) purpose-built condo-dominated alpine enclave with luxury hotels, stylish boutiques and a few, select eateries. You won’t find fast-food outlets, strip malls and chain stores in either Telluride or Mountain Village, and there is no need for a car as everything is within walking distance.  

The main town and the resort are connected by a free gondola—roughly a 13-minute up-and-over-ride — and it’s open from 7:00 am to midnight. As well as fine restaurants, Mountain Resort also has a bank, post office, a market, antiques, galleries, jewelry, and gift stores. Telluride’s bed base is not large enough to create lift lines, and because Telluride is a destination resort, it is not bombarded by day traffic. Wide-open slopes and no lift lines are the norm.