The San Juan Mountains have always been synonymous with riches. As a highly mineralized area, they played a large role in the early Colorado gold rush, and its many worn-out mines still remain, like monuments to a long-gone era. However, modern-day travelers make their way to the mountain range seeking a different kind of treasure—San Juan’s unparalleled backcountry skiing opportunities! The range’s high altitudes and cold temperatures make gold-standard powder available no matter the season. Furthermore, areas such as Telluride flourish with endless skiing variety, from steep, aesthetic couloirs and low-angle powder-filled glades to beautiful high alpine bowls. Remember the last time you just barely missed the jackpot? Don’t make the same mistake again. Head to Telluride for some truly priceless backcountry skiing. Learn more about backcountry skiing in the San Juan Mountains from Ebony Roberts, outdoor enthusiast and adventurer.
Overcome some of the highest plateaus and peaks in North America
300 days of annual sunshine guarantee amazing ski conditions year-round
Over 2,000 acres of skiable descents for thrillseekers of all ability levels
Enjoy a full day of conquering Telluride’s backcountry with this fully customized private guided tour. Whatever your skill level may be, your guides will craft the ideal day of ski touring for you. And when you hit the slopes, your guides will also provide you with the instruction and guidance you need to properly navigate avalanche terrain or to muster the confidence to drop into Telluride’s steep lines and beautiful couloirs beneath towering peaks!
57hours is committed to providing safe outdoor adventure experiences. We require all guides using our platform to have a COVID-19 safety plan and to make the details of that plan accessible to travelers. In most cases, group sizes will be reduced, guides will avoid overcrowded locations, and other safety measures will be met depending on the location and activity.
We also expect clients to respect local regulations and take measures to protect themselves, their guides, and the communities they’re traveling to. For more information on COVID-19 measures in Telluride, Colorado, please refer to the Official Colorado COVID-19 Update Website.
Please contact us if you have any questions or require further information. We are happy to provide you with the most up-to-date information!
What you get in this adventure:
What’s not included:
In order to enjoy this backcountry adventure, you need to have a moderate level of fitness. You will be on your feet for a full day. While there is terrain for all skill levels in Telluride, you will need to manage controlled descents in variable conditions. All participants should feel comfortable on challenging blue or black-level resort runs and be able to carry a loaded daypack while skinning up variable degrees of terrain.
Backcountry skiing isn’t just for pros looking for the ultimate thrill ride, it’s also beginner-friendly, meaning anyone with challenging blue or black-level resort experience can have fun in the backcountry. If you’ve never backcountry skied before, heading out with a guide is your best bet. Professional Colorado backcountry ski guide will help you gain new skills during the private lesson. They’ll take care of the planning, introduce you to the basics, like skinning uphill, and teach you how to manage the terrain. They also have the experience and avalanche training to keep you safe.
For technical backcountry ski touring gear, you will need to bring:
For personal items, we recommend bringing:
All mandatory gear can be rented if you don’t have your own. You can rent:
Ski rental location is in Telluride and should be picked up the night prior to your outing. If you need to rent gear, let us know and we can help make arrangements.
Group sizes and pricing:
Ski tours in Telluride, Colorado can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.
Min. age requirements:
If your group has skiers under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.
To get to Telluride, most people fly into Denver International Airport. From there, you can take a three-hour local flight to Telluride, which is the fastest and cheapest option. You can also fly to Montrose and take a 1,5-hour shuttle ride to Telluride, or rent a car in Denver and take a nearly 7-hour long drive.
Once you and your guide agree on the details of your itinerary, your guide will suggest the best place to meet, whether that’s at the guide’s office in Telluride or a predetermined location. From there, you’ll head to your tour. The guide will choose the appropriate terrain dependent on conditions and the ski ability of the group.
