Skiing Archives - Bill Fandel

TELLURIDE, LOCAL HOTELS & RESORTS RECOGNIZED IN CONDÉ NAST TRAVELER’S 2017 READERS’ CHOICE AWARDS

19th October 2017 | TELLURIDE SKI RESORT

RESORTS IN THIS ARTICLE: TELLURIDE

October 17, 2017 – Condé Nast Traveler announced today the results of its 30^th annual Readers’ Choice Awards.

Not only do the 2017 Awards include a selection of local hotel and resort properties, but the historic mountain town itself, Telluride, Colorado, was among the winners (#7) in the category for “Best Small Cities in the U.S.” In addition to the #1 small city, Charleston, South Carolina, Telluride was joined on the list with other mountain resort towns Aspen, Colorado (#2) and Park City, UT (#9).

Among the winners for “Top Resorts in Colorado” are Fairmont Heritage Place, Franz Klammer Lodge (#6) and The Peaks Resort & Spa (#15); the #1 resort in the category is The Ranch at Emerald Valley in Colorado Springs . The list of winning properties for “Top Hotels in Colorado” include The Madeline Hotel & Residences (#6) and the Inn at Lost Creek (#16); the ART hotel in Denver was awarded the #1 hotel in the category this year.

Over 300,000 readers submitted millions of ratings and tens of thousands of comments, voting on a record-breaking 7,320 hotels and resorts, 610 cities, 225 islands, 468 cruise ships, 158 airlines, and 195 airports.

The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.” Under Editor in Chief Pilar Guzmán, the Readers’ Choice Awards have become more selective and specific to the passions that inspire today’s travelers.

The Readers’ Choice Awards are announced in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler, on newsstands nationwide on October 24, 2017. The full list is published exclusively online, at www.CNTraveler.com/rca. Start planning your vacation to Telluride, www.tellurideskiresort.com. You’ll never forget your first time…

SKI Magazine | Top Ranked Western Ski Resorts, Telluride #4

4. Telluride, Colorado

Photo: Ryan Bonneau

No matter where you live, Telluride is “pretty remote,”  “off the beaten path,” and some might say “a long way from civilization”. But that’s exactly what makes this southwestern-Colorado town so amazing. You won’t find a prettier spot in ski country: Readers rank Telluride, surrounded by “breathtakingly beautiful” peaks, No. 1 for Scenery. A free gondola makes shuttles between Mountain Village and downtown a cinch, and locals and visitors alike love that the slopes are “virtually empty.” While some might bemoan the high prices and want some cheaper dining, Telluride delivers a ski experience that “caters to all.” Families praise the well-run ski school, and strong intermediates will find the easy-to-access Revelation Bowl a dream, even if it does get tracked out quickly. Experts, take note: Whether you’re up for a 20-minute hike or you just want to stick to the lifts, Telluride offers “some of the best steep terrain in the country”. Hop on the Gold Hill Express or hike toward Palmyra Peak for plenty of fresh tracks, chutes, and steep lines. And while we can hardly wait for the ski area to replace the achingly slow Plunge lift, you can’t beat skiing into town after a long day  in the alpine. Telluride’s growing reputation means it’s no longer the “best-kept secret in the world,” but this picturesque ski town “needs to be on every skier’s bucket list.” —Megan Barber

To see all 30 western ski resorts click here

Conde Nast | The U.S. Is Now The World’s Top Ski Destination

Written by Katherine LaGrave

September 21, 2016

What will the Swiss think? The French? According to recent data from the U.S. National Ski Areas Association, the world’s most popular country for skiing is now—surprise—the United States, which saw asix percent hike in its ski and snowboard visitors during the winter of 2015–2016, for a total tally of 53.9 million. Even more impressive? The Pacific Northwest region (Alaska, Washington, and Oregon) saw an increase of 142 percent in skier visits over the previous season, more than doubling from two million visits in 2014–15 to almost five million in 2015–2016. The Rocky Mountain and Pacific Southwest regions also had marked numbers in skier visits, though “weather challenges” across the eastern half of the country resulted in declines from the 2014-15 season in the Northeast, Midwest, and Southeast.

France, which has traded the top spot with the U.S. in recent years, saw its visitors drop three percent and came in second with 52 million ‘skier days’ in the winter of 2015–2016, according to Domaines Skiables de France, an organization representing the French ski industry. (A ‘skier day’ is by and large considered to be the equivalent of a one-day pass, or each time someone paid to go skiing.) Of the country’s er, slight downhill slide, a spokesperson pointed to the weather: “There was a very difficult start to the season due to a lack of snow at low and medium altitudes, not to mention unpredictable weather causing disruptions to our operating systems,” the DFS said in a statement. Europe’s second most popular skiing destination, Austria, also dropped in visitors from the previous winter, finishing the season with 49.9 million skier days

According to Condé Nast Traveler readers, those interested in hitting the slopes stateside should start with Deer Valley, Utah—the destination in the Wasatch Mountains topped the list of the 20 best ski resorts in the U.S. and Canada. Looking for somewhere that allows both skiing and snowboarding? Try Telluride for its annual 300 inches of snow and (300 days of sunshine). As if you needed convincing…

Telluride Ski Resort joins Mountain Collective for 2016-17 season

The Telluride Ski Resort announced Tuesday that it would be joining the Mountain Collective alliance, a collaborative pass program providing access to some of North America’s best ski mountains. For $409 ($99 for children 12 and younger), Mountain Collective pass holders receive two-day lift tickets to each of the association’s 14 resorts, in addition to other benefits and discounts.

“Telluride is excited to join the Mountain Collective family of resorts,” Bill Jensen, CEO of Telluride Ski & Golf Resort, said in a press release. “Being a part of the Mountain Collective is an outstanding opportunity for passionate skiers and snowboarders to experience Telluride’s extensive terrain and benefit the resort community as Mountain Collective pass holders add Telluride to their list of destinations to experience this winter.”

As part of the Mountain Collective pass, skiers and riders can enjoy two days at 14 ski resorts, including Alta/Snowbird, Aspen/Snowmass, Jackson Hole, Sun Valley, Taos, Whistler Blackcomb and others, with no blackout dates. Though Vail Resorts announced this week that it had purchased Whistler Blackcomb (see story on page 4), the resort will remain part of the Collective for the 2016-17 season, according to a Telski spokesperson.

Additional days at Collective destinations are available at a 50 percent discount, and pass holders are also eligible for Mountain Collective lodging specials.

“We are thrilled to welcome Telluride, one of the world’s truly iconic resorts to the most incredible lineup of destinations on one pass ever assembled. The Mountain Collective is made up of a collection of independently owned, big mountain, life list resorts and we couldn’t think of a better new addition than Telluride,” Christian Knapp, Aspen Skiing Company vice president of marketing, said. “With 14 destinations located around the globe, the Mountain Collective Pass is the perfect incentive for passionate skiers and riders to embark on the winter adventures they’ve long dreamed of.”

When visiting Telluride, Mountain Collective pass holders can take advantage of a lodging deal with The Peaks Resort & Spa, with 10 percent off lodging with a three-night minimum and a $150 Peaks Resort credit that can be used at the resort’s newest restaurant, Altezza at the Peaks, or The Spa at the Peaks.

The Mountain Collective pass is now available online at mountaincollective.com for $409 for adults and $99 for kids ages 12 and under. For a full list of participating resorts and pass benefits, visit the Mountain Collective website. For information on Telluride-specific benefits, or to plan a trip, visit tellurideskiresort.com.

Telski also released season pass information, including new PLUS upgrade passes, which give pass holders some but not all of the Mountain Collective benefits. With the PLUS upgrade, pass holders can get unlimited half-price lift tickets at Mountain Collective resorts.

Adult season passes are on sale online for $1,200 through Oct. 14. A $200 upgrade to a PLUS pass includes unlimited half price tickets at all Mountain Collective resorts with no blackout dates and four $74 friends and family lift tickets for Telluride, according to a resort spokesperson.

Child season passes (ages 6-12) are on sale for $375, with a $100 PLUS upgrade; junior passes (ages 13-18) are on sale for $400 with a $100 upgrade; young adult passes (ages 19-24) are on sale for $800 with a $100 upgrade; senior passes (ages 65-79) are on sale for $800 with a $100 upgrade; and Palmyra passes (ages 80 and older) are free, with a $100 upgrade. Only the $200 adult upgrade includes the ability to purchase discounted friends and family tickets. Those prices are available until Oct. 14.

Season pass prices are up slightly from the 2015-16 season. Last year, adult passes sold for $1,150, child passes for $279, junior passes for $369, young adult passes for $735 and senior passes for $735.

The walk-up lift ticket price this year for an adult will be $119 during the regular season and $129 during peak season. Last year during peak season, the average ticket was $119, and during the regular season, average tickets were $114, according to a resort spokesperson.

The Epitome of Luxury Ski-In/Ski-Out in Telluride

14 Cortina Drive | Luxury Ski-In/Ski-Out

A classy mountain modern retreat situated directly trailside with seamless ski-in and ski-out access to the groomed Sundance trail. The distinctive architectural blend of rustic and modern overtones are complemented by thoughtfully combining design elements of metal, stone, glass and wood. The main level not only presents an inviting open floor plan with vaulted ceilings and walls of glass leading to a wrap around deck but also a well appointed kitchen, two fireplaces, guest master sweet and media room. The views capture the dramatic craggy Palmyra Peak at the top of the Telluride Ski Area as well as to the west. The master sweet privately sits on the upper level with a quaint living area and views to the La Sal Mountains of Utah. A lower level has three bedrooms and family room.

For more information on this property click here

Plan your trip to Telluride!

Click here to visit Telluride Ski Resort

26″ In Advance Of Opening Day

Click on image to play video

In advance of Telluride Ski Resort’s Opening Day last Thursday, Telluride received an amazing 26″ of fresh snow in a 36-hour storm. This storm now blankets Telluride and ushers in a promising Winter season…click on the image to play video and see the snowfall.

VIDEO: Telluride Ski Resort Winter 2015 Teaser!

Just Listed: Seamless Ski Access at 132 High Country Road

A true ski-in / ski out offering, this beautifully-crafted log and stone is ideally located directly on the groomed Double Cabins ski run of the Telluride Ski Resort. The custom-built home offers the warmth,quality and tasteful accommodations of a true mountain lodge with the modern finish and amenities you’d expect with a residence of its kind.The home’s spaces offer wonderful proportions radiating out from its towering great room and expansive windows framed by hand-hewn log trusses. Stacked stone fireplaces, antique flooring, custom doors and rustic ironwork complement the gourmet kitchen,intimate Master suites,guest rooms bunk area. In Summer Fall the snow-covered ski run turns to hiking trails leading into National Forest from your back door.

To view this listing, as well as other spectacular properties, click here

Telluride Ski Resort Has Record Season

The Telluride Ski Resort set a record for the number of skier visits during the 2014-15 ski season, according to Telluride Ski and Golf President and General Manager Greg Pack.

“We had an incredible winter. We had a record season skier-visit-wise, revenue-wise, the whole bit,” Pack told Telluride Town Council members during a work session Tuesday.

“We are extremely excited given that our snow pack was, I think, 47 percent [of normal] at one point,” Pack added. “Everybody always says it’s snow. This year obviously it wasn’t. Telluride is sexy right now.”

The resort saw roughly 478,000 skier visits during the winter season, an increase over the previous season’s approximately 454,000 visitors and a sizable excess over the 470,000-visitor goal the resort’s management set for themselves.

Pack said that renewed marketing efforts on several target demographics helped create the record year, including increased attention to the Australian and South American markets during the month of January.

That bump is all the more remarkable because of the nature of the season’s snowfall, with intermittent big storms punctuated by extended periods of blue skies.

“We weren’t getting snow in January. It stopped for a month and a half,” Pack said.

Dallas was also a focus this season for the resort’s management, Pack said, with a big push to increase flights out of the Texas city and an extensive marketing campaign that even included recruiting area ski shops for their advice on billboard placement in choice zip codes.

The resort also focused on marketing strategies to drum up regional visitors from within driving distance, with the biggest percentage of those visitors coming from Durango, Farmington and Phoenix. Grand Junction, Pack noted, is not a big market for Telluride.

“We worked with the Telluride Tourism Board and tried to make sure we coordinated our marketing efforts. There was friction before, in the past, and I have to admit a lot of it was caused by my company. They were dysfunctional in a lot of ways, just as a company, and we’re working on that,” Pack told council members. The TTB is partially funded by the Town of Telluride to market the area.

“The sides weren’t talking to each other,” Pack said. “We need to make sure we’re good players with everybody. We haven’t been in the past.”

Council members reacted in appreciation of the humble acknowledgement.

“We totally appreciate the fact that you’re working so well with the tourism board,” said Telluride Mayor Stu Fraser.

Pack announced at the town council meeting that the man behind much of this season’s success, Vice President of Sales and Marketing Brad Larsen, announced his resignation on Monday in order to take up a job as the Resort General Manager at Idaho’s Tamarack Resort. And while that means the company will now have to search for his replacement, Pack also announced that the resort had successfully recruited a new PR and Communications Manager, Sharron Gibbs. Gibbs was previously a vice president at Ogilvy Public Relations based in Denver. She begins this week.

In a general sketch of projects on the horizon, Pack listed working on improving beginner and intermediate mountain bike trails, a zip line and more summer activity, including destination weddings and conferences. A project to upgrade the interiors of rooms at Big Billies is also in the works, as is collaboration with private developers on more workforce housing.

MARKET NEWS: Madeline Residences boast 8 residences under contract since February 1st

Uncompromising, Full-Service, Slopeside Living. At last!

Madeline Residences, a first-of-its kind ownership opportunity in Telluride, just released their first allotment of fully-furnished and turn-key condominium residences on February 1, 2015, and the initial response has been staggering with 8 residences already under contract. The Ownership Group has committed $15m in residence and property upgrades which will include two game-changing amenities: a New Porte-Cochere and Outdoor Pool to be completed by December of 2015 and a new New Club Room to be completed July of 2015. With the ideal slopeside location just steps from the Gondola to Storybook Telluride and unparalleled four-diamond services and amenities, this is game-changer in Mountain Village real estate.

Just Reduced: Direct Ski-In/Ski-Out, the luxury estate of 129 Sundance Lane

Just reduced to $4,475,000

Direct Ski-In | Ski-Out

6 Bedrooms | 6 Bathrooms

Located on a private situated ski-in/ski-out parcel, along the groomed Sundance Ski Trail, this custom-built family home features the timeless ambiance of a mountain lodge, with the sophisticated features of the finest residences. The large open floor plan is ideally-suited for relaxed entertaining, while the gourmet kitchen is perfect for the vacationing gourmet.Large spacious rooms and private guest suites are perfect for friends and generations of family in both winter & summer. Seamless ski access to the back door; covered porches and open patio & deck areas bring the alpine setting close to home; expansive recreation room with wet bar and adjacent bunk room is perfect for family fun. Click here for more information

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