Photo courtesy of Telluride Tourism Board
For a few quiet weeks every fall, Telluride and Mountain Village are two towns again. On Friday, November 20, 2026, the free gondola reopens and puts them back together for the winter.
The gondola runs from Friday, November 20, 2026, through Sunday, April 4, 2027, according to the Telluride Tourism Board.
Hours: 6:30 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week, with extended Friday and Saturday hours during peak periods.
Cost: free for every rider.
Ride time: about 12 minutes from Telluride to Mountain Village, cresting at 10,500 feet.
Stations: Telluride (Oak Street), San Sophia at mid-mountain, Mountain Village, and Market Plaza, home to the parking garage, Town Hall and the Mountain Market.
Skis and pets: ski and snowboard racks ride on the outside of the cabins, attendants help load gear, and pet cabins are available for leashed animals.
The gondola has carried skiers, commuters and festival crowds over Coonskin Ridge since December 1996. It runs on wind power purchased from San Miguel Power Association.
Photo courtesy of Mountain Lodge Telluride
A week after the gondola reopens, Mountain Lodge Telluride in Mountain Village brings back its winter music lineup, starting the weekend of Thanksgiving (November 26-29) and running weekends through April 4, 2027.
Après Lounge: local acts from 4 to 7 p.m. most Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.
Sunday Rehab: DJs from 1 to 5 p.m. on select Sundays.
Sunday evenings: live music in the lounge most Sundays from 6 to 9 p.m.
Mountain Lodge is at 457 Mountain Village Boulevard. Check the Mountain Lodge website or the Telluride events calendar for each weekend's lineup.
Ask a Telluride owner what they missed during the fall closure, and the answer is rarely the skiing. It's dinner on the other side of the ridge without a 20-minute drive, or an après set in Mountain Village followed by a ride home under the stars. It's also how a family splits the day: some ski, some explore town, and everyone meets for dinner without anyone handing over the car keys.
That daily connection is why proximity to a gondola station matters so much here. A home a short walk from Oak Street or the Mountain Village core means skiing, dining and music in both towns without a car, all season. If you are still deciding between the two towns, our guide to Mountain Village vs. the Town of Telluride walks through the tradeoffs.
🚡 Want the gondola to be part of your daily routine? Let's look at homes within walking distance of a station.
With more than two decades in Southwest Colorado real estate, a CLHMS designation and REALM Global Exclusive Member status, I can tell you which streets really are a short walk to the gondola, and which only look that way on the map.
When does the Telluride gondola close in spring? The winter season ends Sunday, April 4, 2027. The gondola then closes for spring maintenance and reopens for summer on May 20, 2027, running through October 24, 2027.
Is the Telluride gondola wheelchair accessible? Yes. Accessible cabins are available, and attendants can slow the cabins for riders using wheelchairs or strollers. Ask an attendant at any station for help boarding.
How do you get between Telluride and Mountain Village when the gondola is closed? Most people drive the road between the two towns, which typically takes about 20 to 25 minutes and can be slow in winter storms. The gondola's seasonal closures fall in late spring and fall, between the ski and summer seasons.
Opening day for the gondola is the real start of a Telluride winter: skis on the racks, Mountain Village lit up below, and both towns a 12-minute ride apart again. We'll see you on November 20.
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Anne-Britt Ostlund | Founder & Luxury Real Estate Broker, Mountain Rose Realty
220 E Colorado Ave, Suite 211, Telluride, CO
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