Located in the southwest of Colorado, nestled in the San Juan mountain range, Telluride is popular with tourists all year round. The winter is the busiest part of the tourist calendar due to the town’s famous ski slopes nearby. Telluride has a motto that sums the town up well: ‘There is nowhere else that the mountains and nature come together so magnificently.’

The town of Telluride is surrounded by San Juan peaks, making the town famous throughout the world of winter sports. Skiing or snowboarding down the 13,000ft peaks is truly exhilarating while looking down at the quaint town below, filled with the spirit of the Rocky Mountains.

Winter sports aren’t the only draw to this area of Colorado: Telluride is also famous for its many fascinating historical offerings, hidden away in the National History District. Telluride boasts some of America’s most famous festivals during the summer months, ranging from Blues and Brew, to an international film festival, to the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.

Highlights

Skiing: enjoy world-class skiing around the 1,700-acre area of ski runs, or head off cross-country for some more arduous skiing.

Ice-climbing: enjoy this free sport in Telluride, where the world’s first free ice-climbing area has been opened and appeals to all ranges of climbing ability.

Heli-skiing: drop from a helicopter well above the tree line and enjoy the best the slopes have to offer on your way down the mountain.

Fly-fishing: the local rivers flowing down from the Rockies are home to some great freshwater trout that will provide even the best anglers with hours of entertainment.

Hot-air balloon rides: enjoy the wonderful scenery of the Rocky Mountains from the seductive peacefulness of a hot-air balloon.