Telluride Live

About

The free gondola links the Town of Telluride with Mountain Village, riding up and over the ridge between them. The Town of Mountain Village, which runs it, calls it the first and only free public transportation of its kind in the United States. The ride from Telluride to Mountain Village Center takes about 12 minutes, and a 3-minute leg continues to Market Plaza, with its parking garage, Town Hall and the Mountain Market.

Telluride Station is on Oak Street. San Sophia Station, at 10,540 feet near the top, is the stop for Allred's, the San Sophia Overlook, and ski, bike and hiking trails. On a clear day you can see all the way to the La Sal Mountains in Utah.

History

The gondola opened in late 1996. It cost $16 million to build and was meant to help improve air quality as the ski area and Mountain Village grew. Mountain Village says it now carries about 3 million rides a year.

When to go

The gondola closes between seasons for maintenance. It's closed for fall maintenance from October 26 to November 19, 2026, and reopens Friday, November 20, 2026. The winter season runs to April 4, 2027, and the summer season from May 20 to October 24, 2027. In season it runs every day from 6:30 am to midnight, with longer hours for some events and holidays. Expect lines at busy times.

While it's closed, the San Miguel Authority for Regional Transportation runs free buses between the towns.

Check today's hours →

Good to know

Dogs ride only in cabins marked with a paw print, usually every other cabin.

Wheelchair-accessible cabins are available. Attendants can also slow a cabin for strollers and wheelchairs.

Skis and snowboards ride in outside racks in winter, and bikes in summer. Bikes never go inside, and e-bikes go only on the rear rack, one per cabin.

Price

• RideFree

Prices checked November 2026 on the website of the Town of Mountain Village. They can change, so check before you go.

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