Telluride, Colorado — If Telluride Ski Resort gets its way, a few new lifts could be opening at the ski resort in the near future.
Yesterday, the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests (GMUG) issued a request for comment on various proposals from Telluride’s 2017 Master Plan, which was updated by amendments in 2023 and 2024. Here’s a breakdown of what Telluride is trying to do in the years ahead…
Lift Projects: Two chairlift replacements are being proposed. The first is Lift 7, which is a Riblet/Ski Lift International fixed-grip double chairlift that was installed in 1975. Telluride is proposing replacing it with either a fixed-grip triple, fixed-grip quad, or detachable high-speed quad chairlift.
The second proposed replacement is Lift 8. This is a Ski Lift International fixed-grip double chairlift that was built in 1972. Replacements being considered include a fixed-grip double, fixed-grip triple, or fixed-grip quad chairlift. Both lift proposals would follow similar alignments to their predecessors.
It’s interesting that Telluride is considering various options for a lift. Usually, for US Forest Service lift proposals, the ski resorts tend to have a definitive lift choice.
Other Projects: Various trail projects are planned. A new Lift 9 Jaws Skiway trail would help less skilled guests find an easy route from the top of this challenging terrain pod. Currently, all the other options can be challenging due to various factors. The 1800 by 40 feet trail would have snowmaking capabilities, leading to earlier openings of Lift 9.
The Galloping Goose Skiway could be widened by thirty feet. The widening would occur from the saddle of Bald Mountain to a location near the Madison ski run. This would result in 2.7 acres being affected by tree removal and grading.
Perhaps the spiciest proposal is the expansion of High Camp Hut, which is currently not allowed to be a full-service restaurant due to a 1999 lawsuit from a few parties that led to an early 2001 settlement. The Colorado ski resort believes that it now has widespread support from guests and the local community to bring this proposal back to the table. Telluride intends to expand the building by around 2000 square feet in order to make it a full-service restaurant.
Another proposal from Telluride is to make the Interactive Heritage Trail, which made its debut during the 2024-25 season, permanent.
A new mountain biking trail is also being proposed. This new trail would be located off the Tommyknocker trail. The Green Tech trail would be designed for beginner riders. It would be hand-built, and its rocky elements would introduce riders to more challenging biking terrain.
If you have an opinion on these proposed project, comments can be emailed to TellurideSkiEA@segroup.com, mailed to the Norwood Ranger District, P.O. Box 388, Norwood, CO 81423, or hand delivered to Norwood Ranger District during business hours at 50 Forest Street in Norwood, Colorado.
Image/Video Credits: Telluride Ski Resort
