Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Alpine Lodging & Real Estate office?

The Alpine Lodging & Real Estate office is located in the town of Telluride; just up from the Gondola at 210 S. Oak Street.

Will I need a car in Telluride and where is parking?

While you visit the town of Telluride, there is no real need for a car. There is a free shuttle service that tours town and also Mountain Village numerous times a day. There are also two shuttle services that you can call for reservations. These two services can arrange for a pick up to the Telluride Airport or the surrounding airports. Please see Question #20 for a list of the shuttle services and their phone numbers.

If you do have a car with you, the guest services staff at Alpine Lodging & Real Estate will explain where you can park during your stay in Telluride. However, Alpine Lodging & Real Estate is not liable for any towing or ticketing expenses.

What is Mountain Village?

Mountain Village is the beautiful ski village, attached to the town of Telluride by a free Gondola. Mountain Village is where the Telluride Ski Resort actually begins. The majority of the 16 lifts, ski information and most of the 84 ski trails are in Mountain Village. Guests will enjoy lodging, restaurants, winter activities, night entertainment, shopping and incredible scenery.

How do I get to Mountain Village?

Guests can access Mountain Village by taking the 15 minute Gondola ride up and over the mountain. To get to Mountain Village by car, you must drive outside of town to Highway 145 South. Take this road up the mountain side, at the top you will find ski resort signs that you should follow toward the Mountain Village.

Do I need to bring anything from home, like linens or kitchen supplies?

Each condo will be fully stocked for the comfort of our guests' stay. Upon arrival, guests will find that all accommodations will have linens, a fully stocked kitchen, towels, etc. If there is something that is missing or something that would make your stay more enjoyable, please call the Guest Services department at Alpine Lodging & Real Estate (970-728-3388).

What is the weather like?

The weather in Telluride is just about perfect! In the winter, the temperature is between 20 degrees and 50 degrees, depending on the month. Telluride is known for the fabulous weather for spring skiing! In the summer, enjoy the 70's to 90's with very low humidity, making it perfect for our many festivals.

When is the Gondola open and how much is it to ride?

The Gondola is open daily from 7am to midnight, during the summer and winter seasons. Please enjoy the Gondola whenever you would like for free. Pet and handicap cars are also available. The Gondola is closed during the spring and fall off seasons.

What is there to do if I'm not a skier?

If you are not a skier, there are many activities for you to enjoy. Throughout Telluride, there are a number of day spas, nightly live shows, unique stores, fabulous restaurants, and many other winter activities. Some other winter activities are snowmobiling, ice-skating, snow-shoeing, horseback rides, guided fishing and ice climbing.

What are some activities for my kids?

There are many activities for children of all ages throughout Telluride. All ages can enjoy many options during the winter months such as skiing/snowboarding, ice-skating, sledding Thrill Hill in Mountain Village or Firecracker Hill in the Telluride town park, and there are also classes offered at the Ah Haa School for the Arts, call 970-728-3886 for an event list. During the summer there are many things for the kids to do. There are kids only activities at the Youth Link. The Telluride town park offers many options, a new skate park, swimming pool, playground; kid's fishing pond, basketball courts, etc. There is also a children's festival called the Wild West Fest at the beginning of June.

Can I get cell phone reception?

Most cell phone companies have reception here in Telluride. Some however will be on roaming. Sprint and Cingular carriers will not have very good reception. However, Verizon and Alltel will have reception that does not place you on roaming.

Where are the grocery stores?

There are three grocery stores in Telluride and Mountain Village. Clark's Market is located at the beginning of the town of Telluride, across from the school, on W. Colorado Ave. The Village Market is located on S. Fir Street in Telluride, next to Baked in Telluride. In Mountain Village there is the Mountain Market. This market is located at the City Hall/Visitor's Center area, off of Mountain Village Blvd. near the visitor parking structure.

Where are the liquor stores?

There are three major liquor stores in Telluride and two in Mountain Village. In town, there is Telluride Liquors, located on E. Colorado Ave. next to the Coffee Cowboy vendor station. Telluride Bottle Works is on W. San Juan by Smuggler's Brew Pub. Pacific Street Liquor is on the west end of town on S. Townsend. Telluride Bottle Works and Pacific St. Liquor offer a large selection of both local and foreign wines and have a wine tasting once a week.

Where can I find a qualified babysitter?

Telluride offers a babysitting service called Annie's Nannies (970-728-2991), please call for reservations. There is also a babysitting clinic offered by the Telluride Ski Resort (970-728-7531).

What is your favorite restaurant?

The town of Telluride offers a Dining in Telluride guide that we have at our front desk. This guide displays a variety of restaurants and bars located in town and Mountain Village. Telluride cuisine ranges from traditional French to authentic Mexican and everything in between.

What is the free box?

The free box began in the early 80s and has grown into, as its logo reads, "A Telluride Tradition." Wooden cubbies marked with category names-boys, girls, books, men, women, house wares, and others-sit stacked on N. Pine Street facilitating the exchange. Some who Free Box shop are real regulars, always making a stop by to check on a potential treasure. Some are lucky Free Box shoppers who make a stop every so often and always score a treasure.

What is the elevation in town and on the mountain?

In the town of Telluride, the elevation is 8,750 ft. Mountain Village is at 9,545 ft. The San Sofia Gondola Plaza and Allred's Restaurant is at 10,535 ft. The maximum elevation that you can ski on is 12,255 ft. which is up close to the Prospect Bowl.

What do I need to do to adjust to the elevation?

First and foremost, everyone that is not adjusted to the elevation should drink lots of water and avoid alcohol for the first 24 hours. Take your time traveling to higher altitudes. Do not push yourself to hard. Remember that if you live closer to sea level, you are not used to the low oxygen level (the air pressure is 40% lower here!). Some of the first signs of high-altitude illness are similar to the flu; headache, lightheadedness, weakness, trouble sleeping and an upset stomach.

What airports are nearby?

Telluride has a small airport right outside of town. However, there are other airports around Telluride. Montrose Regional Airport is 66 miles away. Cortez Municipal Airport is about 75 miles away, making it about a 90 minute ride. La Plata County Airport is located in Durango, CO and is about 3 hours away and offers a regional airport. Grand Junction Airport is about 3 hours away also. The Denver International Airport is about 8 hours away.

What airlines fly into Telluride?

There are really only two airlines that fly into Telluride. Both of which are partners with another airline. Great Lakes Airlines co-share with United Airlines, America West is partnering with US Air.

Are there shuttle services available from the airport?

Yes, there are two shuttle services in the Telluride/ Mountain Village area. One is called Mountain Limo (728-9606) and the other is Telluride Express (728-6667). Both of these shuttle services offer airport pick up and delivery, private services, and local taxi services. And Mountain Limo is open 24 hours a day for your convenience.

What spas do you recommend?

There are three spas that we would recommend for guests. The spa with the best reviews would be the Atmosphere Day Spa, located at the base of the Gondola in Telluride (728-0630). Next would be the Studio G which is at 226 W. Colorado (728-8700). And finally there is the Aromatherapy Spa on Pine Street (728-9515).

Our Telluride Lodging Experts are available to answer any other questions you may have at 888-353-5473.