Just moved to Telluride, or getting back into it after a while? These groups are beginner-friendly and welcoming — no need to be fast, experienced, or know a soul.
Every Tuesday, 5:30 PM
Rotating start (posted weekly to the Telluride Squad Run Strava group)
Free community trail run open to all; some summer Tuesdays become a “Townie Run Series” event with food and drinks afterward, supported by the Telluride Mountain Club.
Select Thursday evenings, Dec–Mar; free
Wilkinson Public Library, Telluride
Free public avalanche-awareness talks (the Telluride Mountain Club’s Backcountry Chats, with the PI Avalanche Education Fund) on select Thursday evenings at the Wilkinson Public Library through winter.
Multiple scheduled days each summer (locations announced)
Varies by project across area USFS trails
Community trail-maintenance days (brush-cutting, logging out, redefining tread); 30-plus volunteers joined in 2025. Dates and meeting spots are posted each season — check before going.
Beginner & intermediate classic/skate clinics, Jan–Feb
Telluride Nordic Center, Town Park Pavilion, Telluride
Hour-long beginner and intermediate classic and skate-ski clinics offered on scheduled dates in January and February. Rentals and private/public lessons available all season.
Wednesdays in January (5-week youth session)
Telluride Nordic Center, Town Park Pavilion, Telluride
Youth Nordic program for grades 3–6, roughly 12:30–2:30 PM on January Wednesdays; registration opens the prior November. Day held but exact dates shift each winter.
Multiple Rescue / Level 1 / Level 2 courses each winter
Telluride (classroom + San Juan backcountry field days)
AIARE-curriculum Avalanche Rescue, Level 1, and Level 2 courses run on set multi-day dates each season. The Peter Inglis Avalanche Education Fund offers scholarships toward tuition.
Town of Telluride Parks & Recreation
Adult climbing Tue/Wed/Thu 7:30–9:30pm · Nov–Mar
Horizon Climbing Gym, Telluride High School (Palm Theater entrance)
Low-cost adult open-gym climbing at the Telluride Community/High School gyms, run by Town Parks & Rec — Tue/Wed/Thu 7:30–9:30pm in the colder months (Nov–Mar). Memberships/passes available from October.
Seasonal volunteer days incl. fall plantings
San Miguel River sites near Telluride (varies)
Conservation and volunteer days (tree plantings, cleanups, San Miguel restoration) run by the local Trout Unlimited chapter, Gunnison Gorge Anglers, which serves the Telluride / San Miguel watershed. Telluride Angler is a local TU volunteer base and fundraiser.
Daily guided trips during the summer paddling season
San Miguel River valley floor / Trout Lake (flatwater)
Guided stand-up paddleboard outings — beginners start on flatwater at Trout Lake before moving to the San Miguel. Scheduled by booking, not a fixed weekly meetup.
Monthly novice field trips (1st & 3rd Tuesdays)
Regional hotspots (Montrose / Delta area; covers San Miguel County)
Free monthly novice-focused field trips (first Tuesday in Montrose County, third Tuesday in Delta County). The chapter covers San Miguel County but most outings are an hour-plus north of Telluride — the nearest organized birding community. Pre-registration required.