From our balcony Day One in Telluride
By Eileen Ogintz
TELLURIDE, CO (Day Two) – After a week of bluebird weather, a much-needed winter storm has moved into Colorado and it is dumping snow at Telluride Ski Resort.
The ski conditions in Southwest Colorado have been good, but they are about to get a lot better. After nearly a month with very little snowfall, a big storm is moving in.
From our balcony Day Two in Telluride
There are guys, skis on their shoulders, biking to the free gondola to catch some of that fresh powder. The bike rack at the gondola is full with snow-dusted bikes and a stroller or two.
“Most people don’t have extended family here,” explains Cindy, working in the local thrift shop. “So most people become your extended family.”
She adds that townspeople realize they couldn’t survive without tourism. “And to bring a kid to this town — it is so super safe!”
Noah Sheedy, the director of the ski school, new dad and eight-year resident, opines that celebs — and there are many — are treated like everyone else. It’s not the see-and-be-seen scene crowd you might find elsewhere.
Sheedy notes that 60 per cent of the ski school revenue comes from private lessons — a growing trend among families. As are the “mountain guides” — priced like a private lesson but more for someone who wants someone to help guide them to new places on the mountain or spots they may not want to venture on their own.
Another popular premium product — called “Max 4” guarantees no more than four people in a class.
I love the après-ski $25 Eco Adventure for kids from 3:30-5 p.m. so parents don’t need to race down the mountain. I also like that of the 280 instructors here, only 5-10 per cent are new. Most instructors have been here 12 years — with kids who come every year growing up with the same instructors. Nice!