“The highlight of the week for one editor was a snowmobile tour with Telluride Outfitters. We joined a small group embarking on the Alta Ghost Town Tour and spent two hours revving up and down groomed trails past several remnants from the ghost town of Alta at 11,800 feet, where miners at the Gold King mine lived and worked in the late 1800s to mid 1900s. Telluride Outfitters also offers longer snowmobile excursions to Dunton Hot Springs and full-day backcountry trips into the Barlow Creek high alpine terrain for more experienced sledders.”
“In the late 19th century, before wide-eyed miners or cowboys like Cassidy made the perilous journey to Telluride to seek their fortunes, they were warned with the phrase ‘To hell you ride!’ So it’s only fitting that our time in Telluride ends not at the resort but perched on the back of a snowmobile, exploring a 100-year-old abandoned mine with local touring company Telluride Outfitters.”
“Take a break from skiing or snowboarding with a snowmobile tour! Telluride Outfitters offers guided tours in places like the Alta Lakes Ghost Town that gives visitors a peek back in time.”
“For a faster pace, join a half or full day snowmobile tour with Telluride Outside…
For those who like to enjoy the water at a slower pace, stand up paddle boarding could be more your speed. Grab a SUP board from Telluride Outside and get out on one of Telluride’s half-dozen lakes for some sun, relaxation, and more of Telluride’s gorgeous mountain views.”
“Otherwise, Telluride has just about every kind of non-skiing diversion you could want, from dog sledding to great Nordic skiing to introductory ice climbing to really fun guided fat tire bike tours. But one of the standout options here, that again, not many other places offer, is a variety of great snowmobile tours, half and full day, visiting ghost towns and natural wonders. I did one with Telluride Outfitters, and like heliskiing, they start right from Mountain Village, use first-rate equipment and great guides, and it was a surprising blast.”
“Once on our vehicles near Alta Lakes, the instructor gives us the safety rundown, “Stay single file because there are a lot of people in the forest today. And by a lot I mean 18 people.” Excited for the scenery and adrenaline rush to come, we rev our engines and are off. After three minutes our guide stops us at the “Oprah turnaround.” Here he gives anyone who’s scared the opportunity to turn around and go back to their hotel room to watch Oprah. Luckily no one takes him up on it and we continue zooming through the snowy forest. We pass a ghost town and the telephone pole where Telluride was the first place to have electricity. Ever in the world. Our destination is a snowy meadow where we get to drive freely until it’s time to head back. “
“In the winter, the only way to reach those rugged slopes and deserted mining outposts not accessed by ski lift is by Nordic skiing (really hard) or snowmobiling (really fun). Telluride Outfitters runs tours to Dunton Hot Springs and Alta Lakes observatory, where you’ll pass beaver ponds, America’s first AC power lines, and Alta ghost town—in 1875, the main 10-room wooden bunkhouse used to house 180 miners over two 12-hour shifts, each paying $1 a night for the privilege.”
“Telluride Outfitters runs three main tours that benefit from their relatively high elevation, even in bad years. “Alta Lakes Ghost Town is the go-to,” said Doherty, because its trailhead is only five minutes from the company’s Mountain Village office, allowing 2-hour long tours in the morning, afternoon and evening.”
“Explore Telluride’s unique and colorful history with a snowmobile tour to a mining-era ghost town.”
“In Telluride you should take some time out to explore the magnificent backcountry with Telluride Snowmobiles. You can absorb the breathtaking scenery, learn about some of the history of the area, and have a hoot all at the same time!”
Telluride Ski Resort
“Explore into the region’s pristine backcountry on a guided snowmobile tour.”
“We had the most enjoyable experience snowmobiling with Telluride Outfitters today.” ~ Calvin C.
telluride.com
“With a penchant to bring adventure to the masses, they have added summertime adventures to round out their offering.”