How to Get to Telluride in the Winter 2024/2025

Flying to Telluride

Planning your getaway to Telluride just got easier! With expanded air service and convenient flight schedules, reaching this alpine paradise is more accessible than ever. Whether you're flying into Montrose (MTJ) or landing directly at Telluride Regional Airport (TEX), there are plenty of options to suit your travel plans.

Direct Flights to Montrose (MTJ)

Year-round Service:

• Denver (DEN): Daily flights.

Seasonal Service (December to late March/early April):

• Atlanta (ATL): Daily flights.
• Chicago (ORD): Daily flights.
• Dallas (DFW and DAL): Daily flights.
• Houston (IAH): Daily flights.
• New York (JFK/EWR): Daily flights.

Special Schedules:

• Austin (AUS): Saturdays only.
• Los Angeles (LAX): 5x weekly.
• San Francisco (SFO): Saturdays and Sundays, with additional flights during holidays.

New Service:

• Breeze Airways: Flights from Los Angeles/Orange County (SNA) to Montrose. 

Direct Flights to Telluride Regional Airport (TEX)

Year-round Service:

• Denver (DEN): Provided by Denver Air Connection.

Seasonal Service:

• Phoenix (PHX): Daily flights year-round. During seasonal times, November and April are Thursdays through Sundays only.

Additional Services

Denver Air Connection Partnership:

Partners with United Airlines, allowing seamless booking and global connections via United’s network.

Private and Charter Flights:

Telluride Regional Airport is open to general aviation, including private and charter planes.

For update full winter schedule here: https://coloradoflights.org/schedule/ 

Getting to Telluride and Mountain Village From the Airport

Telluride Regional Airport (TEX) is just 10 minutes from downtown Telluride and Mountain Village, while Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ) lies 65 scenic miles away. Numerous transportation companies offer services between Montrose and Telluride. While rental cars are available at Montrose Airport, we recommend ground transportation. A car isn't necessary once you’re in Telluride, thanks to the area’s excellent transit options. 

Getting Around Telluride and Mountain Village

Exploring Telluride and Mountain Village is simple and convenient. The compact layout of Telluride makes walking one of the easiest ways to navigate, but there are plenty of transportation options for those who prefer to ride.

• Galloping Goose Shuttle: This free shuttle loops through Telluride every 20 minutes from 7 a.m. to midnight on festival weekends, making it easy to hop on and off as you explore.
• Mountain Village Shuttle: A complimentary shuttle service runs every 30 minutes within Mountain Village. For rides outside shuttle hours, the convenient Dial-A-Ride service is just a call away. 

Telluride to Mountain Village Gondola

One of the most iconic ways to travel is the Telluride to Mountain Village Gondola, a free public transportation system and the only one of its kind in the United States. This 12-minute scenic ride links Telluride and Mountain Village, offering breathtaking views and access to trails in the summer and ski slopes in the winter.

Winter Operation

The gondola is currently OPEN for the winter season!

Operating Dates: November 22, 2024 - April 6, 2025

Operating Hours:

• 6:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week
• Open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays from December 20, 2024 - April 5, 2025

Passengers can board at one of three primary stations:

• Station Telluride (Oak Street): Provides access to downtown Telluride.
• Station St. Sophia (Mid-Mountain): Connects to hiking, biking, ski trails, and Allred’s Restaurant & Bar.
• Station Mountain Village: Provides access to Mountain Village.

Across from Station Mountain Village, a shorter gondola connects to Station Village Parking, home to a free parking garage, Town Hall, and Mountain Market.

The ride to Station St. Sophia offers a dramatic elevation gain of 1,750 feet, while the ride to Mountain Village descends 960 feet. Operating daily during the summer and winter seasons from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, the gondola occasionally offers extended hours for special events. It closes briefly in the spring and fall for maintenance.

This unique transportation system provides not just convenience but also a front-row seat to some of the most stunning mountain views at 10,500 feet.