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My family traveled to Mountain Village in Telluride, Colorado, the week before Christmas 2019 so our daughter could go skiing while my husband and I explored the local area and outdoors. This was our second visit to Telluride in three years. Our first visit was over the Christmas Holidays, so this time we decided to visit the week before the Christmas. It was the perfect time to visit. We avoided the big ski crowds so our daughter was able to maximize her time on the slopes, while my husband and I enjoyed the unbridled convenience of doing what we wanted to do.

This time, however, we stayed at the Madeline Hotel. Mountain Village is connected by a gondola to Telluride. The hotel is strategically located literally steps away from the slopes offering easy ski-in and ski-out access, gondola lifts, restaurants and retail ski shops.

The hotel is one of the best hotels we’ve ever stayed. The accommodations, amenities and guest services are exceptional. We booked our reservations long in advance and having anxiously awaited our stay at the hotel we were not disappointed. Upon checking-in, we were greeted with complimentary “cider toddies” in the warmth of the hotel library, which was nice. We then learned from the Director of Rooms our room is one of the most coveted rooms in the hotel. One look and it was obvious why. It overlooks the main slope. We could literally lay in our bed and look out the large double windows to watch our daughter ski. The room was luxuriously comfortable, specious and quiet. We also enjoyed nice bathroom amenities and extra fluffy bathrobes.

Telluride is a charming town with a rich history, from former booming mining town to a thriving ski resort today. It’s nestled in stirring natural beauty with stunning winter wonderland views and glittering white mountains. The peaceful tranquility that envelopes the area is surreal. The walkability of the town is safe and pleasant. I particularly enjoyed talking with local residents whenever the opportunity presented itself to learn more about the town and its culture. Most often, I met locals when riding the gondola lift between Mountain Village and Telluride or squeezing-up next to a bar in Mountain Village for a “hot toddy.” On one gondola ride I met the local owner of a company in Telluride that makes and sells whistles for model trains. He was on his way back to town and his office after skiing the slopes in the morning. My family owns a model train so I could relate to his business, but more interestingly he explained in detail how the railroad was key to Telluride flourishing in the 1890s.

We did take time-out for two fun adventures while there. This included a snowmobiling tour of the beautiful and expansive backcountry, and a full-day excursion to the natural wonderland of the Arches National Park in Moab, Utah. The snowmobiling trails are tucked deep into the Uncompahgre National Forest. The trails meander for miles twisting and turning among the aspens and spruce trees in the shadows of the San Miguel Mountains and majestic grandeur of Mount Wilson, Delores Peak, Beaver Park, nearby mesas and vistas. Traversing the swirls of fresh powder snow was fun and I found the surrounding natural wonders mesmerizing. As for the Arches National Park, the views are picturesque, and the rock formations are surreal. The 36-mile scenic route through the park is a great way to gain an appreciation of the “red-rock wonderland” including “Balanced Rock” and its most iconic formation the “Delicate Arch.” There are plenty of stops along the scenic route where you can park and get out to take photos.

If you’re up for adventure and ever have the opportunity to visit Telluride or Mountain Village, I’d strongly recommend enjoying the backcountry around Telluride and taking a trip to Arches National Park. What I enjoyed most about these adventures is they serve to remind everyone how blessed we are to have access to spectacular natural wonders and the need to protect them.