Colorado snow report: The skiing at Telluride was nirvana

December 27, 9:18 PMMinneapolis Outdoor Recreation ExaminerMarie Malinowski

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Confidence? Galloping Goose? Restroom? Restroom. 

I finally made it up to Telluride. I love you, Colorado Department of Transportation! You toiled through the night with explosives and front-end loaders to open Lizard Head Pass!

This is by far my favorite place to ski. This is where I learned. Back then, before Mountain Village was built, there were only four or five runs and they were all black and double black diamonds. A rickety, squeaky, rusty T-bar towed you up the mountain most of the time. Lift tickets went for about $12.

If you didn't have $12, a case of beer for the lift operator usually did the trick.

There are so many things I love about this mountain town nestled in a box canyon. The imposing 11,000 foot peaks that surround it. The aspen trees. Bridal Veil falls. Its remote location. How the town has managed to retain its historical, mining-era charm. The way the morning sun shines on Palmyra Peak, Sunshine Mesa, and the Wilson massif. I honestly believe that all mountain ranges in Colorado pale in comparison to the San Juan’s.

My poor husband. If only he didn’t have to work.

If you go, and you don’t have enough cabbage to fly directly into Montrose or Telluride, fly into Denver or Albuquerque and make the drive. I recommend flying into Albuquerque. Not as many treacherous mountain passes.

The Wilson Massiff:

Another shot of the Wilson Massiff:

 The Wilson Massiff with Sunshine Mesa to the left:

 My alien head:

Look! A mountain!

Me again:

Palymyra Peak:

 A closer shot of Palmyra Peak:

Downtown Telluride:

Bridal Veil Falls iced over: