Telluride Ski Resort

Thanks to the generosity of the folks at www.lifestylez.com, DSJ was recently invited Lifestylezto tag-along on their January 2013 Telluride Trip.  Lifestylez runs an extensive schedule of affordable college ski and snowboarding winter and Spring Break tours. Their discounted packages include vacations to many of the large western ski resorts in addition to Spring Break destinations such as Cancun, Cabo, and others.

 ASUThis trip to Telluride centered around Arizona State University and included students, alumni, guests, and two old guys.  The ASU SnowDevils, now an independent ski club, formed a large contingent.  There were various “packages” available to suit individual needs, but all involved transportation, lodging for three nights, and two or three days of riding (3rd day lift tickets were $50, which is less than half the walk-up rate).

All aboard for the Tempe departureDeparting from Tempe on Friday, the transportation was originally supposed to be two tour buses.  After assessing the final numbers it was decided to downgrade one group of students to a van with trailer to save gas.  Lifestylez promptly refunded each of them $100, which I thought was a pretty classy move.  The van left at about 9:30 Friday morning and the tour bus sometime after that.  I needed to get my truck up to Durango, so myself and long-time ski partner Ron drove up.  We all arrived in Telluride early that evening.

 Nice digs!The accommodations were nice new multi-bedroom condos in downtown Telluride right up against the mountain.  The accompanying photos show just how nice!  It was a short five minute walk to the gondola or Main Street.  Keys and two or three day lift passes were handed out and we were on our own.

Team Tempe on top of the worldSaturday morning dawned with bluebird skies, which had unfortunately been the case for about the last ten days.  Although the snow was lacking, the weather was spectacular and everyone made the best of it.  Telluride is such a big place, and with its reputation for impeccable grooming, no one had any trouble finding great runs.

The lunch time beach scene at Gorrono Ranch

Lunch at Gorrono Ranch was like a day at the beach.  Folks were lined up shirtless in chairs soaking up the rays and listening to live music.  Add a cold brew and hot bowl of chili and it doesn’t get much better.

Why always right in the middle of the run

Sunday and Monday played out much the same, which was a good thing.  Tons of good riding with good company and some sore muscles and a few sun burns to prove it.

Sun Divas downtown T-rideEach night had an apres’ ski event planned.  Friday and Sunday were 4-6pm affairs at the Smugglers and Brown Dog Pubs for pizza, football, and “shotskis”!  Saturday night featured a private party downtown at the Fly Me To The Moon Saloon.  A DJ provided dance music from 9 till 1am.

Ready to rollMonday morning was check out time.  Everyone was required to have all their luggage packed and loaded on the buses before heading out for a last day of riding or just hanging out downtown.  The buses then departed for Phoenix at about 3pm which got them home at about 11.

Sun Devil SistasI got a chance to talk to some of the students after the trip, and the consensus was a unanimous thumbs up.  The travel went smoothly, the accommodations were excellent, and despite the lack of fresh snow, everybody rode hard and had a blast.  From what I could gather, Lifestylez had a definite group of repeat customers.                

DSJ extends a personal thanks to Steve for inviting us, and to Chris for a great job on site.   

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