fridgway, colderado.

every year, i try to make it out to colorado. drive, fly, or snowboard your way 900 miles or so, and you’ve hit the western slope. thanks to my best friend, i was introduced to western colorado. and also thanks to that same best friend, i was introduced to snowboarding in western colorado. if we can find a way to cover the miles, we have two warm beds waiting.

true grit, railroad museum, birding, hiking, beer, and freezing your butt off to the occasional tune of -25ºF. all great reasons to visit ridgway. my adopted second family holes up year-round in pleasant valley, a long walk and sometimes longer drive outside an already humble dot on the map. see below.

take the 550 north to montrose, south to ouray, or take the 62 west to wind into telluride. either way you go, you’ll likely get the panoramic views of the san juan and cimarron mountain ranges. focus too intently on the backdrops and you’re sure to miss the elk, bobcats, wild turkeys, bald eagles, and camels. yes, camels.

montrose is your go to spot for the walmarts, mega grocery stores, and chain restaurants… you know… civilization. ouray will surround you with local artist outlets, hot springs, insane people (ice climbers), and the closest to–what i imagine would be–feeling nestled cozily under the matterhorn. telluride would be your destination for abandoned mine tours, bluegrass, golf, art of all kinds, and above all else: skiing!

the telluride mountain resort features mostly experienced skiing terrain, and seems to double in size every few seasons. it is the home base for colorado’s only heli ski company: telluride hellitrax, sorry aspen, brekenridge, and vail! so you might imagine, the slopes are pretty harrowing. as if to taunt you on your first day, the beginner ski lift takes you over a double black diamond mogul track that runs straight down under the lift chairs. a sense of humor? no, a sick sense of humor… i like it!

taylor out, here’s some final thoughts courtesy of my cell phone camera: