We love our reputation for expert skiing — Palmyra, the Gold Hill chutes, big bumps on Mammoth and Make 'Em. But Telluride is also a dream for intermediates, with long groomers, playful tree runs, and the best views this side of the Alps. For me, this is the perfect "ski-with-my-parents" day or day with out-of-town guests that are still getting their ski legs under them.

Warming Up

Start the morning on Lift 10 – Sunshine Express. It's wide-open and mellow. See if you can spot Oprah's house from the lift. Ski Sundance down to the base, with soft rollers and big-arc turns to find your rhythm. From there, ride Lift 1 – Chondola back to the core of the mountain, then catch Lift 4 to Lift 5 – Polar Queen Express. Skip skiing on Lift 4 — too crowded.

Morning Laps on Polar Queen

Dad's favorite run. At the top of Polar Queen, take a photo. You are looking at the La Sal mountains in Utah. Then lap the groomers on Lift 5: Stormin' Norman, Ophir Loop, Henry's Run. These runs are fast and fun, and flatten out at the bottom. If you're ready to step it up, try the bumps on Gold Rush, or dip into off-piste terrain like Silvertip to the Lift Line.

Lunch Options

Three very different vibes, all near the top of Lift 5:

  • Giuseppe's (top of Lift 6): My choice. We used to ski just to eat their black bean sauté. This spot is reopening for the 2025–26 season, and I can't wait. It's casual, outdoor, and the views are outrageous.
  • Alpino Vino (just off the top of Lift 14): High-end wine. You probably need a reservation. It's a bucket-list experience for many visitors.
  • Bon Vivant (top of Lift 5): French-inspired, sunny, and sometimes with a DJ. Pricey for what you get.

Prospect Bowl Afternoon

If you've lunched at Giuseppe's, drop into See Forever for a cruiser all the way down to Lift 1 — nearly the mountain's full vertical in one go. From there, ride Lift 10 to Lift 11 to Lift 12 – Prospect Express into Prospect Bowl. The groomers wind through sparse trees and the top has amazing views of Mount Wilson and Sunshine Peak.

A Grand Finale

To close out the day, ride Lift 14 – Gold Hill Express to the very top of the mountain. If you want to tell your friends you did a black diamond, dip into Revelation Bowl right off the top of Gold Hill. Or continue along See Forever until you find The Plunge, a famous and very steep groomer that drops you toward town.

Après Ski

If you take See Forever down and keep going toward Lift 4, Gorrono Ranch has live music, Adirondack chairs, and a great outdoor deck. Perfect for a sunny day. If you ski Plunge or are heading into town, join the locals at Oak (barbeque, beer, sports), right at the base of the gondola.