Telluride Ski Resort history

Two Colorado Natives, Ron Allred and Jim Wells of the Benchmark Corporation in Avon, Colorado, purchased the ski area from Joe Zoline in 1978.

In the early 1980’s, Ron Allred and Jim Wells bought the area from Zoline.

San Miguel County approved the Mountain Village Planned Unit Development December 22, 1981.

Then in 1984 Mountain Village Metropolitan Services, now known as Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association (TMVOA), was established to be a master homeowners association. Thus, the Mountain Village Metropolitan District (MVMD) was established in 1983 for the purpose of collecting property taxes and providing services and amenities for health, safety and welfare.

Then in 1984 Mountain Village Metropolitan Services, now known as Telluride Mountain Village Owners Association (TMVOA), was established to be a master homeowners association.

Telluride installed its first high-speed lift in the summer of 1986.

In 1987, Allred and Wells’ plans came to fruition with the founding of Mountain Village.

The Resort also added an 18-hole golf course in 1992 to create a year-round tourist destination offering activities catering to a wide range of guest interests

Subsequently, in 1994, the resort built new corporate offices, various facilities for mountain operations, golf and skiers services, and Big Billie's, a restaurant and 150-unit employee housing complex at the base of the Chondola Lift 1.

The first 10 employees were hired, and the first Town Council meeting was held March 29, 1995.

The first election was held on June 25, 1996 with 43 residents and 92 non-residents, and since its incorporation, eight mayors have served the electorate.

Senior was instrumental in the development of the Telluride Ski Area and inducted into the Colorado Ski Hall of Fame in 1997.

The Telluride Conference Center, a 31,000 square foot facility was opened July 1999 and today it is still owned by the town and operated by Telluride SKi & Golf Co.

Allred's, the resort's flagship restaurant, opened its doors in 2000.

By March, 2001, Morita had acquired 100 percent of the Telluride Ski and Golf Company (TSG), taking Allred's and Wells' visions into the 21st century.

The high altitude private home, Tempter House, was purchased by the resort in 2006.

The town took over the functions of MVMD which was formally dissolved in 2007, the same year that the town separated from TMVOA.

Palmyra Peak and the Gold Hill Chutes 1 & 6-10 opened to the public for the first time in January 2008.

In winter 2009, Telluride Ski Resort announced Gold Hill Chutes 2-5 would open for full public access to Gold Hill Chutes 1-10.

Telluride Ski and Golf continued its commitment to fine culinary offerings with the opening of Bon Vivant in 2011.

A 2013 Conde Nast readers Survey ranked Telluride the #1 ski area in North America.

Gondola News: 11/16/2018 Gondola station highlights exquisite landscape photography of our region.

Gondola closed April 5-May 26, 2021 for spring shoulder season.