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Telluride,
Colorado
Date: February 2 – 9, 2008
Trip Leader: David Macauley
Trip Leader: Melissa Redlich
The trip ran with
43 people and included a wide range of ages and skiing ability.
The first group of participants met at the Avaya parking lot in Lincroft
about 5:30AM.
 The
adventure began at the Newark gate when we were informed that due to
strong headwinds, the plane could not carry all of the passengers with
their skis. A variety of plans
were proposed by the airline, including flying people to Steamboat
Springs and bussing them to Telluride. Finally the airline realized that they could take everyone
by just stopping midway for fuel. We arrived two hours late but still
smiling; there was lots of snow waiting for us in Telluride. Our
shuttles were waiting for us when we arrived and the airline only
managed to lose a few pieces of luggage. The snow started falling as we
took the 2 hour bus ride to Telluride as we were treated to spectacular
views of the mountains and valleys.
Our group stayed
at the Victorian Inn. The hotel was modest in its accommodations, but
it was centrally located in the town and provided easy access to the
main town lifts. Many of the rooms had a view of the box canyon and the
mountains surrounding Telluride. Many of the shops and restaurants were
an easy two block walk up the hill. The whole village could be
traversed on foot which was probably the best way to get around due to
the drifts.
 The
ski conditions were magnificent. Correction, unbelievably magnificent.
Telluride had one of the biggest snowfall seasons on record.
The town had major challenges removing
the snow and keeping the streets passable.
 Fortunately
we were able to park the bus directly in front of the hotel. On Monday,
we awoke to 8” of fresh powder. There were many runs that were groomed
the night before and then blanketed with light powder. There is
nothing like looking down a mile-long run and seeing an unbroken field
of powder. Snow fell for 5 of the 7 days. We were in heaven.
 Lunchtime
at Telluride was a treat. The Gorrono Ranch restaurant served wonderful
food in a traditional post & beam structure. There was usually a live
band. So what that you spent 90 minutes enjoying lunch, beer, and
music – you’re on vacation! There were only 2 days that you could go
outside and bask in the sun on their Adirondack deck chairs, because it
was snowing all the other days. Then there was Giuseppe’s at the top
of Lift 9 (the black diamond area) at 12,000’. The inside space was
the size of a hotel room but their meatball subs were awesome. Privacy
was non-existent. The view was mesmerizing.
 Skiing
all of that snow at over 10,000ft could have been a challenge, but the
entire group seemed to have more problems walking in town than skiing.
When the skies cleared we were treated to the magnificent beauty that is
the San Juan Mountains. There was plenty of terrain for all levels of
skiers.
 Some
of us tried some cross country skiing down town. You definitely did not
want to get off our skis or try braking new trail. Many of the drifts
were over 6ft high. Others stuck to the high country and those double
black diamonds. Others really enjoyed the cruisers on the Village side
of the mountain and Prospect Bowl. If you ever had a fall, you were
just a snow bunny in the powder.
A wine and cheese
reception was held on Monday night. Although the hotel’s accommodations
were cramped, everyone seemed to have a great time. Dining in Telluride
could be expensive but surprisingly could be quite reasonable. One could
easily find a good dinner for less than $30. We had a group dinner at
the Smuggler’s Restaurant. Reasonably priced and able to sit 40 people. |
