Winter in Telluride & Mountain Village

FAVORITE SKI RUN

As a family you can mostly find us in Prospect Basin. The trees, the hike tos, the rolling groomers give us everything we each love. My personal favorite is Bushwacker on a groomed and sunny day. Hadley says Gold Hill 9 is her new favorite, while her sister, Hayes Margaret, will tell you Little Rose.

FAVORITE ON-MOUNTAIN LUNCH SPOT

A cozy lunch at Alpino Vino has been my favorite since its inception over a decade ago. You can find me there sharing the antipasto or not sharing a bite of my own grilled cheese sandwich and tomato-and-gorgonzola soup.

FAVORITE KID-FRIENDLY RESTAURANT

Sunny days eating cheeseburgers and french fries on the deck at Gorrono is our go-to. It’s the perfect spot for families; the adults can relax with friends while enjoying a beverage and live music and the kids can play in the snow. The view’s not bad either.

FAVORITE PLACE ON THE SKI RESORT FOR VIEWS

The “beach” at Bon Vivant.

Melissa Plantz

MY WINTER FAVES

Operations director at the Telluride Tourism Board, Hollie Hannahs hails from Atlanta and has lived in Telluride for more than 20 years. An experienced tourism and hospitality professional known around town for her southern charm, Hollie oversees the daily operations of the Visitors Center, Telluride Central Reservations and the Guest Services team at the Montrose Regional Airport. Hollie has two daughters, Hadley, 11, and Hayes Margaret, 8. She took time out from her busy day recently to share their wintertime favorites. (Spoiler alert: This family skis a lot.)

FAVORITE SNOW-DAY TREAT

Hands down, it’s hot chocolate. Throwing a filled thermos in a backpack to share off the beaten trail is something we do a lot. Another favorite spot for a hot chocolate break is at High Camp, the warming hut on the ski resort. My girls love to feed the birds while sipping an extra whipped cream cocoa.

FAVORITE OFF-MOUNTAIN ACTIVITY

Since our kids were infants, strapped in the chariot (a type of “stroller” on skis you pull behind you), we have spent many, many days taking them cross-country skiing. Now that they are older, they have been Nordic skiing on their own. We all enjoy the mix of peace and quiet and time to catch up and laugh together. If we’re indoors, it’s baking and watching movies with my kids.

TELLURIDE & MOUNTAIN VILLAGE IN WINTER MEANS …

Energy. The buzz is always energetic and fun. My kids’ energy on the mornings of Ski P.E. (the program that sees students swap school for the slopes one day a week in winter) and the Telluride Ski and Snowboard Club is off the charts. We also have a highly energetic yellow lab, Etta, who is crazy about the snow and getting out in it with our family.