Telluride is a bit of a beast. Honestly, if you just glance at the Telluride ski resort map for five seconds, you might think it’s just another Colorado mountain with a bunch of lines on paper. It isn't. The geography here is vertical in a way that makes your ears pop just looking at the topo lines.
You’ve got a town tucked into a box canyon at 8,750 feet and a summit that scrapes 13,320 feet. That is a massive amount of space to cover. If you don't know how to read the map properly, you’ll end up stuck on a cat-track for forty minutes or, worse, staring down the barrel of The Plunge when your legs are already cooked.
The Layout: It's Not Just One Big Hill
Basically, the mountain is split into a few distinct "vibes." You have the Town side, the Mountain Village side, and the high-alpine bowls.
The Town side is where the history is. It’s north-facing, steep, and usually shaded. If you look at the map, these are the long black and double-black diamonds like Spiral Stairs and Kant-Mak-M. They drop right into the streets of Telluride.
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Then you have the Mountain Village side. This is where most people stay. It’s sunnier and much more chill. If you’re looking for those wide-open "ego groomers," you’re looking at the terrain serviced by the Village Express (Lift 4) and the Sunshine Express (Lift 10).
Why the Map Ratings are Kinda Liar-ish
One thing most people get wrong about the Telluride ski resort map is assuming a "blue" here is a "blue" in Wisconsin or even Vail. It’s not. Telluride is a relative system. A blue square on the front side might feel like a black diamond elsewhere because of the sheer pitch.
Look closely at the map for the "EX" symbol. That stands for Extreme Terrain. In 2026, the resort has been very clear: these areas aren't just steep; they have cliffs, rocks, and mandatory air in some spots. If you see an orange oval, that’s freestyle terrain—aka the parks.
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Navigating the Bowls and the Hikes
If you want the real Telluride experience, you have to look at the top right of the map. This is where Revelation Bowl, Black Iron Bowl, and Palmyra Peak live.
- Revelation Bowl (Lift 15): This is European-style skiing. Wide open, above the tree line, and usually full of "Revvy" powder.
- Black Iron Bowl: You have to hike for this. It’s about 10–15 minutes from the top of Lift 12 (Prospect Express). If you see "Mountain Quail" on the map, that’s the gold standard for hike-to terrain.
- Palmyra Peak: This is the big boy. It’s a 1,300-plus vertical foot hike. It’s brutal. You’re hiking an exposed ridge to over 13,000 feet. If the map shows it's open, and you have the lungs, do it once. Just once.
Don't Get Trapped in the "Galloping Goose"
The Galloping Goose is the longest run on the mountain—4.6 miles. On the map, it looks like a fun, easy way to see the whole resort.
In reality? It’s a long, flat green that can feel like a chore if the snow is slow. It’s great for beginners or families, but if you’re an intermediate rider, you’ll spend half the time wishing you were back on See Forever. Speaking of which, See Forever is the spine of the mountain. It connects the high stuff back down to the mid-mountain, and the views of the Wilson Range from there are arguably the best in North America.
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Real Talk on the 2025–2026 Season Changes
This season has been a bit of a rollercoaster. After a late start in December 2025 due to a warm spell, the resort finally got hammered with snow in early 2026.
The Sunshine Express (Lift 10) and Ute Park are fully operational, which is a relief for the ski school crowds. But for the experts, the real news is the opening of the Gold Hill Chutes. If you look at the map near Lift 14, you'll see Chutes 1 through 10. Chute 9 is the widest, while the "Staircase" to Chute 10 is a literal metal staircase bolted to the rock. It’s terrifying and awesome.
Practical Tips for Using the Map
Don't just rely on the paper map or the big wooden signs at the lift tops. Use the Telluride app for real-time lift status. There is nothing worse than skiing all the way down to Lift 7 (Coonskin) only to find out it’s on a mechanical hold and you have to hike or take a shuttle.
- Morning Move: Start on the Mountain Village side. The sun hits See Forever early.
- Mid-Day: Head to Prospect Bowl. It’s tucked away and usually stays a bit quieter when the lunch rush hits the Village.
- The Final Lap: If your knees can take it, finish with The Plunge down into town. It’s 2,000+ vertical feet of sustained steepness. Then, grab a beer at the base of Oak Street. You’ll have earned it.
Actionable Next Steps
- Download the PDF: Grab the official 2025-2026 trail map from the Telluride website before you lose cell service on the pass.
- Check the Grooming Report: Every morning at 8:00 AM, the resort updates which blacks are "buffed out." A groomed Plunge is a world-class experience; an ungroomed, mogully Plunge is a leg-breaker.
- Locate the Slow Zones: Look for the yellow-shaded areas on the map. These are strictly enforced. Don't be the person getting their pass pulled for tucking through a beginner area.
- Plan Your Exit: If you’re staying in Mountain Village but end your day in Town, remember the Gondola is free and runs until midnight, but the line at 4:00 PM can be 20 minutes long.