What is Telluride famous for?

What is Telluride famous for? Bridal Veil Falls

With a residential population of around two thousand, Telluride might not seem like the kind of town that’s famous for anything when you look at it on paper. Don’t be deceived by its size, though; Telluride has a rich history and now enjoys world renown as a ski destination. But other than skiing what, exactly, is Telluride, CO famous for?

Miners, Outlaws, and More

Officially formed in the 1870s, Telluride enjoyed a prosperous period as a mining town. By the turn of the century there were actually more millionaires per capita in Telluride than in Manhattan. In those days, it is said to have been a true wild west town, complete with saloons and outlaws. A portion of Telluride’s historical fame is due to the fact that legendary outlaw Butch Cassidy committed his first bank robbery at the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride, making off with $24,580.

The Gondola

Today, of course, Telluride is no longer a wild west mining town, but a world class ski destination. If you are staying in the town of Telluride on your vacation, you’ll need a way to get up the mountain to the slopes in the town of Mountain Village. Telluride’s small size means most visitors do not bring a vehicle. That’s why the gondola exists! Telluride’s gondola system is famous because it is the only free public transportation gondola in North America! The gondola cost around 16 million dollars to build, and it runs seven days a week.

Bridal Veil Falls

At the eastern end of the box canyon sits Telluride’s Bridal Veil Falls. At 365 feet in height, this waterfall formation is Colorado’s tallest free-falling waterfall! Adventurers come from all over the world to hike, bike and 4-wheel the area, and in wintertime the site was a popular challenge among ice climbers in the 1990s. Today ice climbing on the falls is prohibited since the land is private property belonging to a historic power plant. Situated at the top of the waterfall, the Bridal Veil Hydroelectric Plant, built in 1895, is the second oldest hydroelectric power plant in the world.

Summer Festivals

Telluride is known for hosting numerous summer festivals every year. Mountainfilm is a documentary film festival featuring stories about environmental issues, adventure sports, and more. Telluride Yoga Festival draws yoga lovers from all over the world to experience relaxation and meditation among the mountains. Telluride Bluegrass Festival features 4 days of acoustic music in the box canyon. These are only a few of the numerous summer festivals Telluride has to offer.

Summer Festivals

If you’d like to come see for yourself what Telluride has to offer, consider booking your accommodations with SilverStar Telluride Luxury Properties. We are happy to help you choose the best accommodations for your stay. Call us at 970-728-3001 or fill out our online form.