Spring-break snowbirds will fly straight to sea level this month, but we suggest heading in the opposite direction: up. Like more than 12,000 feet up, to Telluride Ski Resort’s Tempter House. At 12,200 feet, the mountaintop escape is one of the highest-elevation rentals in Colorado. There are only two ways to access this two-bedroom beaut (which sleeps up to six): on skis or on the back of a ski patrol snowmobile. We suggest the snowmobile route. After all, how often do you get to fly straight up a mountain at night? If you opt to get there under your own steam, you’ll simply hop on the Gold Hill Express lift and cruise down the blue-rated See Forever run. Ski patrol will ensure your bags are in your room when you arrive and that you’re greeted with a roaring fire. And for $5,000 per night…they should. Of course, that price tag also includes a steam shower and Jacuzzi, an on-call chef, a massage therapist, and fluffed feather beds. Giant windows wrap the five-level house, providing omnipresent panoramas of the Bear Creek Preserve and the namesake Tempter Chute (a steep sidecountry section of the resort that should be accessed with caution)—but for a limited time. The Tempter House only stays open until the end of the Telluride ski season, and this year, closing day is April 3.
Spring Break High Life
Skip the beach and stay at one of Colorado highest-elevation rental homes.
