Adventure Passport Resort Challenge #21: Turn up the Heat in Telluride

Telluride Ski Area Summit Elevation 12,255 feet Vertical Drop 3,530 feet Average Annual Snowfall 309 inches

Date Skied/Logged: March 26 & 27, 2006 New Snow: 2” Weather: Warm and sunny Snow Conditions: Powder/Spring

Turn up the Heat in Telluride

The 21st leg of the Adventure Passport: Resort Challenge took us to Telluride Ski Resort in the mighty San Juan Mountains. We thought we had seen everything Colorado had to offer in terms of steep terrain before visiting To Hell You Ride, and maybe we were a little cocky because we had recently mastered the North Face at Crested Butte with ease, but to take Telluride for granted was a mistake.

Lift 14 offers more exposed riding than any lift in Colorado (not including Silverton) and the route we took down Buzz’s Glades on our first trip up Lift 14 opened our eyes quickly. The conditions were deceptive in that we found a bit of dust on crust after dropping in, which forced us to check our speed considerably. Our happy turns soon dissolved into survival turns as a single missed step could have led to an ugly result. At the bottom we found a small opening in the trees, a reward of untracked snow, and shredded it on our way back to Lift 14.

The next morning, when conditions were clear, we rode Lift 12, which accesses the opposite side of Prospect Bowl, and looked in amazement at the terrain we had ridden the day before. From Buzz’s Glades to Electra to Dynamo, Telluride is in possession of the steepest and most outrageous slopes this side of Jackson Hole. Electra chokes out to a ten-foot-wide, 50-degree straightline through cliffs and Dynamo would make a good candidate for an extreme freeskiing competition.

It seems Telluride, along with Crested Butte, has some of the best skiers in Colorado living just blocks away from the lifts. The crowd ripping the slopes and glades off of Lift 8 and Lift 9 was hardcore. We hadn’t been passed by anyone all season long before arriving in Telluride, where girls were flying by us. It was humbling.

Standing 3,000 vertical feet above the town of Telluride, with the Plunge beneath your feet, is breathtaking. The San Juans, so different from the Rockies, blow your senses in every direction. It feels like being in the Alps, with the jagged peaks and exposure all around. The free Gondola ride into town from the Mountain Village is like something you would expect to find in Chamonix — a roller coaster ride that we recommend riding in the dark after an après fest at Tracks.

There is so much to love about Telluride. The heart-pumping riding and the insane terrain are just one part of the equation, but a huge part. Following our visit the resort planned to open new hike-to terrain above Genevieve in Prospect Bowl, which was previously off-limits except for guided adventures. If all goes well, this area of steeps and couloirs might be open next year.

By the end of the trip, our pre-Telluride cockiness was replaced with a healthy dose of respect for the San Juan Mountains and the people who call this area home. They are as rugged as it gets, just like the peaks that surround their valleys.

By the Book Green — Galloping Goose: 4.6 miles of pure transportation, this cat track will take you from Prospect Bowl to your condo in Mountain Village. Blue — Sandia: part of Prospect Bowl, off of Lift 12. This part of the mountain actually holds the best snow and Sandia, Stella and Mongolia are good for a morning warm up before getting serious on Lift 14. Blue — See Forever: a run that lives up to its name, and the only safe escape from the steeps off Lift 14.

Black — Plunge: after visiting Joint Point, take the Plunge at 2,500 feet above a town where Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank. Take Jaws to Cats Paw to finish the ride into town. Black — Little Rose: the only challenging route off Lift 14 that doesn’t involve cliffs. On a powder day, the race is on to make fist tracks on this steep and deep descent. Lodging The Mountain Lodge at Telluride is a slope-side beauty!! We skied in and out for two days, enjoying the access the Lodge provides to both the slopes and the free Gondola. The condos themselves are huge and comfortable. The pool/hot tub area was exquisite. Destination Resorts has properties all over the world, and in each location they feature the type of customer service usually reserved for VIPs. In our experiences with them in Telluride, and at the Gant in Aspen, we walked away amazed at each resort’s convenience. Book reservations with them online at www.mountainlodgetelluride.com, or by calling 1-866-368-6867.

Getting There in Style Our trip to Telluride involved a side trip to Durango. In all, we were facing 850 miles of driving over some of Colorado’s most difficult routes, such as Red Mountain Pass. Hertz came through for us!! We rented a Chevy Trailblazer, complete with Hertz NeverLost GPS system. We didn’t even bring an atlas! Now through April 30, 2006 you can save $50 on a weekly rental or up to $20 off a weekend rental of a Ford Escape, Explorer, Expedition, Excursion or similar vehicle. Extras such as ski and snowboard racks, all weather/snow tires and ice scrapers, are available and Hertz also offers services that include 24-Hour Emergency Roadside Assistance, Driving Directions and the in-car satellite navigation system. For reservations, log on to www.hertz.com

Local Favorites Bald Mountain Hike Local Glades Andy’s Gold Our Favorites Buzz’s Glades: after kicking a few soft turns on the road to disaster, we dropped into Buzz’s Glades, not worried about getting cliffed out, which in retrospect wasn’t too brilliant. Perhaps the steepest fall line we’ve experienced on our journey, and on the mountain, Buzz’s Glades will give you 50-degrees of madness in the trees for what seems like 500 vertical feet. Stella: Everyone needs a warm up to get the blood flowing. Stella actually held the softest snow on the mountain and we took advantage, making one or two blistering turns down her face. The first morning gave us boot-deep powder, and the second fresh corduroy.

Confidence: this slope, plus all of the hike-to terrain located at the top of Lift 12 in Prospect Bowl is outstanding. It holds soft, largely untracked snow long after a storm and features steep pitches. Not a good place to take photos, however, unless you are a pro. For more information about the Passport to Ski Areas of Colorado, or to purchase your own copy please visit www.adventurepassports.com