WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN "TOWN" AND "MOUNTAIN VILLAGE"?
Telluride is uniquely comprised of two different communities, Town and Mountain Village, both within a gondola's ride away from one another!
Town is considered to be the "Downtown" of Telluride and is home to the majority of Telluride's incredibly unique bars, restaurants, galleries, shops, and boutiques. Although smaller in size, Town truly embodies the genuine "small Western town" vibe which makes Telluride so special.
Mountain Village, on the other hand, sits just above town behind the North face of the mountain. Easily accessible from Town via the 13-minute gondola ride, Mountain Village is home to more incredible bars and restaurants as well as a brewery and distillery! Here you will find larger housing accommodations and the Telluride Ski Resort hotels. Separate from the gondola that connects Town and Mountain Village Core, there is an additional free gondola that services the entire Mountain Village area given its spaciousness. If you plan on staying in Mountain Village, we recommend inquiring about your accommodation's proximity to the gondola!
WHAT IS THE WEATHER GOING TO BE LIKE IN TELLURIDE?
Summers are beautiful in Telluride with temperatures averaging in the mid to upper 70s and sometimes even low 80s. It can feel much warmer than that, though. This is due to the dry air, high elevation and clear sunny days. July tends to be a rainy month and the air gets crisp and cold when the sun sets so being prepared is necessary.
IS THERE UBER OR LYFT IN TELLURIDE, CO?
No! Ubers and Lyfts pretty much don't exist in Ouray and San Miguel Counties. You'll want to rent a car or arrange for transportation through one of the recommended companies. But once in downtown Ouray and Telluride, you can walk to everything.
However, the gondola is a free public transportation service that operates Sunday - Thursday from 6:30am-midnight and on Friday & Saturday from 6:30am-2:00am. Visit the hyperlink below to learn more about the gondola and how you can use it to travel between Town and Mountain Village.
WHAT IF I AM TRAVELING TO TELLURIDE WITH MY CAR?
We highly recommend that you check with your lodging regarding parking accommodations. Many of the streets in Telluride require a parking permit and many lodges charge nightly parking fees.
HOW DO I GET AROUND IN MOUNTAIN VILLAGE WITHOUT A CAR?
For those of you staying in Mountain Village, have no fear. There is a free bus/shuttle that services the entire Mountain Village area with door-to-door service to and from your desired destination. Hours of operation are congruent with the gondola [Sunday - Thursday from 6:30am-midnight and on Friday & Saturday from 6:30am-2:00am].
*Note: Dial-A-Ride does not provide shuttle transportation between Mountain Village and Town. Only within Mountain Village.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW BEFORE TRAVELING TO TELLURIDE?
With Telluride being situated at 8,750ft elevation and Mountain Village at 9,540ft elevation, altitude sickness is quite common. Please visit the hyperlink below for more information on symptoms and prevention of altitude sickness.
Certain shops sell supplemental oxygen canisters to help alleviate symptoms of altitude sickness.
For any health concerns, please feel free to visit Telluride's local medical center located right in Town!
Alcohol Consumption
When you consume alcohol at higher elevations, the effect can be more instant. This is because your body isn't as equipped to effectively process the alcohol due to the reduced oxygen levels. This paired with possible dehydration and exhaustion from travel could cause alcohol to effect you differently then you are accustomed to. Therefore, stay hydrated and take it slow!
Sun Exposure
Being at higher elevations means you are closer to the sun. And with Colorado having 300 days a year of sunny conditions, your exposure to the sun is something to note. Just because temperatures are lower than if you were sitting on the beach in sunny California, you are still soaking it up. Therefore, sunscreen, sunglasses and a sun hat are highly encouraged to keep you safe and protected.
ALTITUDE SICKNESS
What causes altitude sickness?
When you travel to a place that is at a higher elevation than you’re used to. In short, your body isn't getting enough oxygen.
What are the symptoms of altitude sickness?
Common symptoms of altitude sickness are nausea, headache, fatigue, loss of appetite, rapid heart rate, and/or shortness of breath.
How do I cure altitude sickness?
The only way to cure altitude sickness is to return to a lower elevation. But there are some tips in helping prevent altitude sickness.
- Drink lots of water.
- Reduce or eliminate your alcohol and caffeine intake.
- Eat foods high in potassium, like bananas.
- Acclimate your body to high elevations.
- Arriving into town a couple days prior to the wedding and even staying at a lower elevation a day or two prior, will help your body get used to higher elevations. Take a day trip to Ouray or Telluride in those days leading up to the wedding but return to Ridgway/Montrose to sleep.
Supplemental oxygen
- Some people find that personal/portable oxygen bottles or a session at an oxygen bar helps with altitude sickness. But this is typically only temporary relief.
What to Pack
Don't Get Caught Without...
Sunscreen: The sun is intense up here so protect your skin!
Chapstick: Colorado is dry. Your lips will thank you if you come prepared.
Bottle for Water: Travel + Altitude + Outdoor Activities = dehydration. Tap water is safe to drink so fill up those reusable bottles frequently.
A Jacket: When the sun goes down it gets cold no matter the time of year.
Appropriate Shoes: Shoes that provide arch and ankle support are a must if you're going to be on your feet a lot. Heels aren't a good option for weddings outdoors and in the mountains. But if you must...opt for wedges or better yet, heeled boots.
Long pants|shorts|long sleeved shirts|t-shirts|sweater|rain jacket|waterproof boots|closed-toed shoes|sun hat|sunscreen|sunglasses|umbrella