Saturday, September 19, 2009

Flights To Telluride CO

Some may lead you to believe that because of Telluride's remote location, getting to this historic mountain is difficult. On the contrary, Telluride's unique setting allows visitors to fly in from all over the world. Choose between three major airports and get packing. Read tips for flights and airfare to Telluride, Colorado.

Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)

Most travelers find the ease factor of flying into the Telluride Regional Airport (airport code TEX) the best solution for getting to this mountain town. Situated a convenient 7 minutes from the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village, the Telluride Regional Airport affords travelers an opportunity to bypass the hour-plus shuttle ride associated with the region's other airport facilities. Telluride Regional Airport sits atop Deep Creek Mesa and is North America's highest commercial airport. At 9,078 feet above sea level, the airport offers picturesque views of the San Juan mountains. And now - getting to Telluride has never been easier. Direct and connecting air service is provided by Great Lakes Airlines and America West Express through Denver and Phoenix.

Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)

A short and beautiful 1.5 hour drive from Telluride, the Montrose Regional Airport offers year-round access from Denver, Phoenix and Houston. From December through March, there are direct jet flights from Newark and Dallas/Ft. Worth. Witness the beauty of the southern Colorado as you drive from the Montrose Regional Airport to the heart of Telluride, Colorado.

Durango La Plata County Airport (DRO)

Located approximately 3 hours southwest of Telluride, Durango La Plata County Airport is the largest airport for the Four Corners Region and offers attractions such as the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad, Durango Mountain at Purgatory, Wolf Creek and Mesa Verde National Park. Rent a car from the Durango airport and drive the U.S. 550. This stretch of road is often called the "Million Dollar Highway". Most of U.S. 550 in Colorado is two-lane mountainous highway.

The Million Dollar Highway stretches for about 25 miles in western Colorado and follows the route of U.S. 550 between Silverton and Ouray, Colorado. It is part of the San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway. Between Durango and Silverton the Skyway loosely parallels the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

Though the entire stretch has been called the Million Dollar Highway, it is really the twelve miles south of Ouray through the Uncompahgre Gorge to the summit of Red Mountain Pass which gains the highway its name. The stretch through the gorge is characterized by steep cliffs and the lack of guardrails, and the ascent of Red Mountain Pass is characterized by the number of hairpin "S" curves used to gain elevation. This drive is stunningly beautiful, but can present difficult driving conditions when storms bring mountain snow.

Telluride Car Rentals

Depending on what airport you fly into for your vacation, you will need to either book a Telluride car rental or reserve a shuttle. Car rentals offer the mobility to visit nearby communities such as Silverton, Ouray and others. These unique towns add to the vacation experience by witnessing historic Colorado. Car rentals are available at Telluride Regional Airport, Montrose, and Durango La Plata Airport. You may want to consider renting a 4wheel drive vehicle for your Telluride vacation.

Telluride Vacation Rentals

Take in the awe inspiring beauty of the San Juan Mountains on your next ski vacation in Telluride, Colorado. Whether it be first hand on the slopes, or from the balcony of your Telluride rental home, you wont' soon forget what you've gotten yourself into - in a good way. Mountain trails and slopes actually bring together two towns, traditional Telluride and posh Mountain Village. Find your lodging anywhere in the area, and choose from mountain rental homes, Telluride condos or villas offering a variety of amenities. Depending on your budget, you can have anything from a simple mountain cabin to a plush upscale vacation condo. Any rental home, however, will come with fresh linens, full kitchens, nice furnishings and built-in privacy. Ratchet up that rental home allowance and you'll find designer decor, cozy fireplaces, hot tubs and wi-fi make the list of yummy add-ons. No matter what your style or (imposed budget) this site will provide you with plenty of choices in Telluride vacation rentals. We only offer properties managed by reputable companies, taking the stress out or your luxury Telluride ski vacation. Now get going and get on the slopes!

There really is so much to do in within and around the towns of Telluride and Mountain Village that you will never be bored. Choose from cross-country and back country skiing, Nordic skiing, snow boarding, snow shoeing, ice skating, snowmobiling, even ice climbing. Crazy, huh? How about heli-skiing - if you really want to try it, this is the place. Actually it is the only location in Colorado and one of only six in the country. Take your skis off and enjoy the gondola ride between Telluride and Mountain Village. This is a perfect way to connect you and your vacation rental home to everything that is happening in both towns. In Mountain Village, visit the Mountain Village Center, where you can get your fill of upscale dining and shopping.

You really can't leave without some new ski duds, right? Here you will find stunning bronze statues of Ute natives, miners and skiers to remind you of the town's vibrant history. For a little more info, check out the Telluride Historical Museum. If you aren't in town during ski season, there will be plenty of time to enjoy all the other activities, indoor and out, that permeate the area. Make a list, and see how many you can check off: Bridal Veil Falls, Tomboy Ghost Town, Alta Lake and Ghost Town, Cornet Creek Falls, Trout Lake and the Sheridan Opera House. Take a hike on the San Miguel River Trail. Visit Town Park for cross country skiing, basketball, soccer, tennis, just about anything that requires some sort of physical coordination. Back in Telluride, you won't find any strip malls or outlet stores.

Art galleries grand boutiques and antique shops plus all the other shops are put the fun back in shopping. There is also plenty of nightlife to go around for all ages and tastes. USA Today calls Telluride "the most beautiful ski town in the country", so spend some quality time with your camera as well as with your skis or board. Or credit cards. This is just a really cool place to visit and vacation, so find a great Telluride rental home, pack up the crew, and head for the grandeur of your next grand ski vacation.

Telluride Colorado's 2009 Summer Activities and Festivals

The summer season in Telluride, Colorado, offers a vast array of experiences, events, and festivals surrounded by the most dramatic and beautiful scenery in the United States. This enchanted town is warm and welcoming to all, with a range of activities as diverse and colorful as the 2,000 residents.

Whether you live in Telluride or just visit, the incredible natural beauty of this remote and captivating region never ceases to lift and inspire the soul. The San Juan Mountains surrounding Telluride are rugged and steep, comprised of six mountain peaks over 14,000 feet high and 13 peaks over 13,000 feet. The town of Telluride itself is just 6 blocks wide by 12 blocks long, located in a box canyon surrounded on three sides by cliffs and mountain peaks and two breathtaking waterfalls at the end of the valley. Retaining the historic charm of its mining town past, Telluride is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and boasts 300 days of sunshine every year

Telluride and the San Juan Mountains offer an unlimited array of active and passive activities that will stimulate the mind and body. Scenic mountains, lakes and streams offer an abundance of hiking, fishing, camping, kayaking, and rafting for many skill levels. Discover new challenges in mountain biking and rock climbing. Jeep tours and 4-wheeling are plentiful and offer breathtaking sights that can only be appreciated in person. Visitors and residents also enjoy golf, hot air balloon rides, horseback riding, ghost town tours, and the nearby hot springs. And as an international destination, you will enjoy world-class dining, art galleries, and lodging.

Summer also brings Telluride's extensive festival schedule featuring outstanding music, wine, films and more, all staged in this spectacular and unmatched setting. Telluride offers festivals and concerts practically every day of the summer season. Here are some of the key events planned for the 2009 Summer Festival season in Telluride:

June 18-21: The 36th Annual Telluride Bluegrass Festival is one of the oldest, largest and most popular festivals of the year and unofficially marks the beginning of the summer season in Telluride. An exceptional time to be in Telluride with the festival coinciding with the Summer Solstice, the days surrounding the full moon, the longest day of the year, and the beginning of summer. Featuring 4-days of performances on-stage in Town Park, the town is also filled with impromptu sessions throughout the town and campsites, as well as scheduled shows in Elks Park and other venues.

June 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug. 5, 12, 19, 26 & Sept. 2: Enjoy stunning sunsets of pink, turquoise, orange and blue during Mountain Village's free Sunset Concert Series every Wednesday from June 24th through September 2nd.

June 26-28: The 28th Telluride Wine Festival presents 4 days of food and wine complete with cooking demonstrations, winemaker dinners, winemaker luncheons, and seminars with celebrity chefs, winemakers and sommeliers.

June 29-July 4: Telluride Plenn-Air is an opportunity to participate or watch some of the nation's top artists capture Telluride's majestic mountains, flower-filled meadows and charm of this historic town on canvas.

July 4: Fireman's Fourth of July Celebration captures American nostalgia with an old-fashioned celebration featuring a parade down Telluride's historic main street, a community picnic in Town Park, and spectacular fireworks set against the imposing peaks of Telluride's box canyon.

July 10-12: Telluride Yoga Festival combines the inspiration of the natural surroundings and expertise of both nationally acclaimed and local yoga practitioners.

July 11: The Doh-Dah Concert features George Clinton this year and is sponsored by Telluride's very own independent radio station in Town Park.

July 17-19: The Nothing Festival is uniquely Telluride, created as a single summer weekend with nothing. However, the weekend does include movies that cost nothing and an annual bicycle ride through town where the riders wear nothing.

July 24-26: Rotary 4x4 Rally features guided 4x4 tours in your own vehicle on Telluride's most famous and beautiful 4-wheel drive roads.

July 31: Telluride Cajun Festival includes unique music as part of an outdoor street party in the spirit of New Orleans.

July 31-Aug 2: Telluride Tech Festival is a celebration of past, present and future technology in an ideal environment for discussion and reflection.

Aug. 6-16: Telluride Chamber Music Festival includes a number of concerts, open rehearsals, and a free concert in Town Park.

Aug. 14-16: Telluride Festival of the Arts brings together food, art and entertainment and includes celebrity chef demonstrations, food seminars, a showcase dinner and grand tasting along with an outdoor art exhibit featuring artists in 13 different media categories.

Aug. 20-23: Telluride Mushroom Festival includes forays, lectures, dining identification, culinary delights from local chefs and the mushroom parade.

Sep. 4-7 (Labor Day): The 36th Annual Telluride Film Festival is one of Telluride's most famous events featuring a program kept secret until the start of this international celebration.

Sep. 18-20: The 16th Annual Telluride Blues & Brews Festival, perhaps one of Telluride's best, combines live blues, rock, funk, gospel, and soul by world-renowned musicians with over 50 micro breweries for one of the most scenic music festivals in the country. By night the celebration flows into town with late night juke joints and after-hours jams.

Throughout the summer Telluride hosts many other events for all tastes, such as free outdoor Mountain Film movies (July 25-26, Aug. 20-21, Sep. 10-11), races (Ophir Hill Climb, Sep. 4; Imogene Pass Run, Sep 12; Mountains to the Desert Bike Ride, Sep. 26), and a number of art events and concerts. Regardless of your preferences, Telluride has something to satisfy every member of your group this summer