Telluride Gay Ski Week 2026

Telluride Gay Ski Week 2026

Telluride Gay Ski Week is Southwest USA’s most welcoming, scenic, and intimate winter retreat, where gay visitors come to celebrate the magic of wintertime in the San Juan Mountains.

• Are you visiting for Telluride Ski Week? Stay at the Hotel Telluride, rated “Excellent” by guests, located at the base of the San Juan Mountains with spacious rooms and a superb onsite spa.

The Ski Week

• Next Edition: Saturday 28th February 2026 – Saturday 7th March 2026.
• Telluride Gay Ski Week has something for everyone,  with gorgeous accommodations located just steps away from outdoor activities like ice skating, snowshoeing, fat tire biking, horseback and sleigh rides, fishing, snowmobiling, spa experiences and more
• Attendees can enjoy daily ski guiding for all skill levels, après ski hangouts, pool parties, late-night happenings, the signature White Party and so much more.
• Telluride Gay Ski Week coincides with the Telluride Aids Benefit Fashion Show Gala – an event dedicated to fighting HIV/AIDS by raising awareness and generating financial support for prevention programs and client care.
• The ski resort has some stunning and luxurious ski chalets and vacation homes for short-term rental. Discover the top Vacation Homes and Condos in Telluride. 

The Host Hotel

• Madeline Hotel & Residences – Next to the slopes and ski lifts of Telluride Ski Resort, this upscale ski-in/ski-out resort hotel is 8 miles from the Sheridan Opera House. 
• Amenities include two rustic-chic restaurants, a candy shop and a cafe. There’s also a chic spa, an outdoor pool with two hot tubs, and a patio lounge area with fire pits.

Guided Skiing Daily

• Daily, from 9:45 am – 1:00 pm – Explore some of the best ski terrains in North America alongside friendly, knowledgeable locals.
• Guided skiing is a great way to make new friends and enjoy all the mountain has to offer.

The Ski Parade

• Typically the final Friday of the event – 1:00 pm –  Meet at the top of chair lift 7 and ski together to Gorrono Ranch – Join the staff and attendees of Telluride Gay Ski Week to ski down to Gorrono Ranch in costume while a DJ sets the party vibe. Be center stage for the whole mountain to see!

Après-Ski

• Daily from 3:00 – 6:00 pm at different venues around Telluride and Mountain Village
• Après-ski is French for “after-skiing”, and Telluride takes its après seriously.
• Join social and dynamic après-ski parties throughout the week to cap off days on the slopes.
• Après-ski parties will be held at Telluride’s most unique cocktail bars.

Gay Chalet

• Daily – 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at the Mid-Mountain Gathering Place At Gorrono Ranch
• Take a trip back in time in the old western-style “Gay Chalet” at an exclusive mid-mountain hang out spot. The Gay Chalet is a cozy, rustic place to warm up next to a wood stove, meet new friends and recount your day from top to bottom.

Signature Parties

• The Opening Reception – Venue to be confirmed – Kick off the week alongside fellow attendees at the elegant Opening Reception in the heart of downtown Telluride.
• The White Party – Highly regarded by locals as one of the best parties of the year, the White Party is exactly that. Be sure to pack your best outfits and come dressed head to toe in white. At The Alibi and Sheridan Opera House
• Sweet Madness -Bon Vivant – Top of the Polar Queen – For those of you that have skied in Europe, you may be familiar with the legendary champagne DJ dance parties… Telluride have recreated this experience at an on-mountain location with 360° views of the surrounding mountains. Reserve an early lunch and join us in the open area outside the restaurant afterwards to dance your calories away.
• Burlesque & Drag Show – A one-of-a-kind show in conjunction with Telluride Theatre combining burlesque dancers and drag queens. Join us for a night of elaborate costumes, sensual dancing and striptease from the glorious exotic dancers of The House Of Shimmy Shake
• Typically the final Saturday – Pool Party – Mountain Lodge – Take a break from the slopes and relax your muscles in a soothing, heated pool and hot tub. Enjoy music by guest DJs keeping the vibes going strong.
• It’s Brunch, Bitch – Take in a tongue-popping, fan-flicking, lip-syncing extravaganza!
• Typically the final Saturday – from from 10:00 pm – Late – Glitter Ball – Sheridan Opera House – Close out the week rocking your best sparkly fashion at the historic Sheridan Opera House with a DJ and go-go dancers. Sequins, glitter and everything shiny will make this an epic close to a fantastic week. Let’s get sparkly

Telluride

• Nestled at the end of a canyon and surrounded by some of the most rugged peaks in the Rocky Mountains, Telluride stretches eight blocks wide and twelve blocks long and boasts 300 days of sunshine each year.
• With colourful Victorian-era homes, clapboard storefronts, boutiques, art galleries, gourmet restaurants, historic buildings and more, Telluride is truly a delight to explore.
• The friendly locals are famous for their authentic mountain character, unpretentious attitude, and celebration of adventure.
• Ranked the Number one ski resort in North America by Conde Nast, Telluride offers visitors deep powder, endless runs, no lift lines and breathtaking views.
• There are 1,700 acres of world-class skiing and snowboarding, plus three vast bowls of expert, hike-to terrain, all wrapped up in around 8m of the best snow on the planet.

The Venues

• Gorrono Ranch –  Woodsy ski lodge with American eats like burgers & chilli, plus fireplaces, mountain views & music. This historic ranch serves up burgers, chili, bbq and other lunch fare in a rustic lodge with a large outdoor deck, historic Saloon and Outpost bars, and Gorrono’s famous “Snow Beach,” with breathtaking views of the Wilson Range.
• Telluride Conference Center – Conveniently located in Mountain Village steps from the slopes, set to be transformed by the Ski Week as a party venue with space for 500+ guests.
• Sheridan Opera House – Built in 1913 as a vaudeville theatre in Telluride, the Opera house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It serves as the centre of the Telluride community.
• Bon Vivant – Located at the top of the Polar Queen Express (Lift 5), enjoy an experience unique to North America at Bon Vivant. Views from the massive new deck are rivalled only by the 39 ft umbrella, and the menu features classic country French cuisine, top wines, and ski country’s best crepes and hand-crafted hot chocolates.
• The Alibi – Nestled in the heart of Telluride, The Alibi stands as the town’s premier destination for those seeking a perfect blend of sophistication and revelry. This cocktail lounge and music club effortlessly marries the charm of a cozy mountain retreat with the vibrant pulse of a live music venue. The Alibi is not just a place; it’s an experience, where the rustic allure of Telluride meets the refined ambiance of a world-class establishment.

Recommended Hotels

Here are the hotels we recommend with good reviews, close to all the action:

Lumiere with Inspirato,   Madeline Hotel and Residences,   Inn at Lost Creek,   The Peaks Resort & Spa.