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The Great Room at Black Bear Lodge, with stone fireplace and vaulted timber ceiling

Telluride, Colorado

A Private Retreat on the
Edge of the Wilderness

Four bedrooms. Ten minutes from the slopes — and a world away from everywhere else.

Request Availability Explore the Lodge

The Setting

Bordered by National Forest.
Minutes from Everything.

Black Bear Lodge sits at the edge of Telluride Ski Ranches, and the vastness of the Uncompahgre National Forest. Inside, four bedrooms and 3.5 baths spread across nearly 3,000 square feet — room for multiple families to gather without ever feeling crowded.

Step off the back deck onto a National Forest trail, or point the car toward the gondola — skiing, dining, and downtown Telluride are all ten to fifteen minutes away.

4Bedrooms
3.5Baths
~10Sleeps
~3,000Sq. Ft.
Black Bear Lodge in winter, windows lit, framed by snow and golden aspens The lodge from the drive, deep snow and stone chimney The lodge from the front in winter, stone chimney against a blue sky Snow banked past the deck railings in midwinter The lodge at dusk, windows glowing against a lavender sky
The Great Room seating area facing the stone hearth The Great Room looking through to the hearth, TV wall and chevron panelling Leather bench with Hudson Bay blanket beneath a panoramic mountain print on the chevron wood wall The open loft above the Great Room

01 — The Great Room

Where the Whole Group Gathers

Vaulted timber beams, an open loft above, and deep sofas built for a crowd. A 65" TV and Sonos sound make it the natural landing spot once the boots come off.

The kitchen with a fire lit beside the range and island seating The kitchen island facing the stone hearth, fire lit and candles on the mantel Kitchen island with seating for the whole group Cushioned window nook with café tables just off the kitchen

02 — The Kitchen

Built for Family-Style Cooking

A fire crackling beside the range while dinner comes together — rare even by Telluride standards. A full range, generous island seating, and everything needed for a house full of appetites, with a gas grill waiting on the rear porch.

“Probably one of the most sleek kitchens I've ever step foot in.” — Kamille

The living room stone fireplace with antlers mounted above the mantel and cushioned window seats on either side

03 — The Hearth

Two Wood-Burning Fireplaces

The living room hearth runs floor to ceiling in local stone, antlers mounted above the mantel and cushioned window seats tucked in on either side. It's the one spot everyone drifts back to — and a second fireplace in the kitchen means the cook is never left out.

Wood is split and stacked in the woodshed, so all you have to do is strike the match.

Dining table facing the buffet and wet bar, framed by tall forest-view windows The dining table from the opposite end, looking back toward the windows Dining room from the stone column, buffet along the back wall

04 — The Dining Room

A Table for the Whole Crew

Seats for everyone at once, with the buffet and wet bar along the back wall for serving family-style and pouring a nightcap. Tall windows keep the forest in frame through the whole meal.

Bunkroom with white bunk beds, vintage skis, and a window seat Bunkroom bunks with twin and trundle beds The bunkroom from the other side, showing the second set of bunks

05 — The Bunkroom

Where the Kids Take Over

Bunk beds, a window seat piled with pillows, and a wall of vintage skis and snowshoes give the youngest guests a floor of their own — ideal for multi-family trips and long weekends with cousins.

“Kids loved the bunk room and hot tub.” — Christopher

Steaming hot tub in the snow with late sun through the pines and a peak beyond The hot tub banked in deep snow, aspens and pines all around

06 — The Hot Tub

Steam, Snow, and Last Light

The tub sits out in the trees off the back deck — no neighbours in sight, just aspen trunks, the peak in the distance, and the sun dropping through the pines. Guests mention it more than almost anything else.

Stay in long enough and the sky does the rest.

Surrounded by Wilderness

A Front Row Seat to the Seasons

The lodge backs directly onto the Uncompahgre National Forest, and the windows are the best seats in the house. Aspens turn gold in late September; in winter the pines hold snow and the peaks catch first light. Mule deer and elk wander through most mornings — you'll watch them from the breakfast table.

Green meadow and aspen grove behind the lodge in summer
Summer — the meadow out back
Golden aspens and a distant peak framed by a lodge window
Fall — golden aspens from the window
Snow-laden pines and alpenglow on the peak, framed by a lodge window
Winter — first light on the peaks
Vivid pink and orange sunset behind silhouetted pines, seen from a window
Sunset, from the living room
Mule deer buck standing in golden aspens
A regular visitor
Elk moving through snowy aspens behind the lodge
Elk in the back trees
Panoramic view through an aspen grove, low sun between the trunks
The aspen grove behind the house

Accommodations

Four Bedrooms

Select any room to see the photos.

See It In Motion

A Closer Look

The den with sofas and a wall-mounted TV above the fireplace
Video coming soon

Amenities

Everything, Taken Care Of

Comfort

  • Private hot tub
  • Two wood-burning fireplaces
  • High-speed WiFi throughout
  • Dedicated workspace
  • Private en-suite bath, primary suite
  • Washer & dryer
  • Hair dryer in every bath

Gather & Entertain

  • Smart TVs
  • Sonos sound system
  • Full chef's kitchen
  • Gas grill
  • Dining for the whole group
  • Wine fridge

Outdoors & Access

  • Direct National Forest trail access
  • ~10 min to Telluride Ski Resort
  • Two-car garage + open parking
  • Ski gear dryer & snowshoes provided
  • Priority snow clearing — driveway plowed through every storm

In Their Words

4.95 Across 22 Stays

“You'd be hard pressed to find a more well appointed kitchen and property as a whole on Airbnb. This will be our go to home for future trips to Telluride.”

Jonathan · Bowdon, Georgia

“My jaw dropped walking around the house for the first time… probably one of the most sleek kitchens I've ever step foot in.”

Kamille · Carpentersville, Illinois

“Amazing house. So peaceful in nature, but close enough to town. Kitchen was great for dinners in and kids loved the bunk room and hot tub.”

Christopher · Dallas, Texas

“The three level cabin is secluded yet very close to mountain village & the gondola to telluride. Top notch kitchen and plenty of space to be comfortable with our adult children.”

Tammy · Plano, Texas

“Their home was the perfect place for our group of 10 to unwind and recharge after our long days on the mountain.”

Emily · Colorado

“The surrounding woods are beautiful, with aspen just out the back door. The kitchen was sufficient to cook for 10 people.”

Sean · Malibu, California

“Absolutely breathtaking. I am so in love with this place in telluride, the hosts did such an amazing job providing an experience beyond my expectations.”

Alanah · Houston, Texas

“Superb host. Wonderful home. Spacious, clean, well stocked. My entire family was very happy here and would gladly come back anytime. 10/10”

Terence · Nederland, Colorado

What guests mention most

Location 12 Hospitality 12 Kitchen 9 Family-Friendly 7 Views 4 Easy to Get Around 4 Hot Tub 3 Comfort 3 Sleep Quality 3
Cleanliness 5.0 Accuracy 4.9 Check-in 5.0 Communication 5.0 Location 5.0 Value 4.8

The Location

Telluride Ski Ranches

Ski Ranches is one of the original mountain communities here — established long before the resort development that followed, and still one of the most authentic places to stay in the valley. Large wooded lots and no through traffic.

It sits directly adjacent to Mountain Village, which means you get the quiet of the forest without the drive that usually comes with it. The gondola and the ski mountain are ten minutes away; downtown Telluride, with its restaurants and festivals, is fifteen.

Close enough for a mid-morning lift run. Far enough that you hear nothing at night.

10Min to Gondola
& Ski Mountain
15Min to Downtown
Telluride
0Min to National
Forest Trails
The lodge on its wooded lot in Ski Ranches, deep snow on the drive

Local Guide

Curated by Your Hosts

Everything below is pinned on our own map of Telluride favorites — open it for turn-by-turn directions to any spot.

View Our Favorites on Google Maps →

Provisions, Parking & Essentials

  • The Village MarketMountain Village
  • Clark's MarketDowntown Telluride
  • The Market at TellurideDowntown Telluride
  • Sunshine PharmacyDowntown Telluride
  • Telluride Regional Medical CenterDowntown Telluride
  • Mountain Village Gondola Parking GarageFree — closest to the lifts
  • Station Market PlazaShops & parking, Mountain Village
  • Public Parking & TrailheadDowntown Telluride

Family Dining

  • Brown Dog PizzaDeep-dish & craft beer
  • Smuggler Union RestaurantPub fare, standout winter soups
  • Stronghouse Brew PubUSA Today's best brewhouse
  • Telluride Brewing Co.Mountain Village & Society Drive
  • Cocina de LuzMexican, steak enchiladas

Cafés & Bakeries

  • Cindybread Artisan BakeryBreakfast, lunch, fresh bread
  • Telluride Coffee RoastersCoffee wholesaler & café
  • Butcher & The BakerBaked goods & brunch
  • Baked TellurideBagels & sandwiches
  • Fireweed Café & MercantileRico, CO — worth the detour south

Finer Dining

  • Allred's RestaurantAtop the gondola
  • Alpino VinoOn-mountain Italian chalet
  • Kazahana TellurideSushi, nigiri & omakase
  • The GrandElk, lamb, fine cocktails
  • The New Sheridan Chop HouseHistoric steakhouse
  • thereGlobal small plates, wagyu smash burger happy hour
  • La MarmotteIntimate, French-inspired
  • SideworkSpanish-American sharable plates

Things To Do

Every Season, an Occasion

Alpine lake beneath a snow-dusted ridge on a clear autumn day
Alta Lakes, an hour's drive and a short walk
Bridal Veil Falls dropping down the cliff at the head of the box canyon
Bridal Veil Falls, at the head of the canyon
DestinationDrive TimeHighlights
Ouray, CO45 minHot springs & ice climbing
Silverton, CO2.25 hrsHistoric mining town, scenic railroad
Mesa Verde National Park2.5 hrsAncestral Pueblo cliff dwellings
Black Canyon of the Gunnison2.5 hrsDramatic canyon rim hikes
Durango, CO2.5 hrsNarrow gauge railroad, rafting
Moab, UT3.0 hrsArches & Canyonlands National Parks

Save the Date

Upcoming Events & Festivals

The calendar here is genuinely full. A rough guide to what falls when, so you can plan a trip around it — or deliberately avoid it.

Jan — Mar

Deep winter

  • All seasonPeak ski season — best snowpack of the year
  • Mid-JanTelluride Fire Festival
  • Mid-FebTelluride Comedy Festival (Presidents' Day weekend)
  • Late FebTelluride Gay Ski Week
  • Early MarTelluride Ski Resort spring events

Apr — Jun

Thaw, then festival season

  • Early AprClosing day, Telluride Ski Resort
  • Apr–MayMud season — quietest, cheapest weeks of the year
  • Late MayMountainfilm (Memorial Day weekend)
  • Early JunTelluride Balloon Festival
  • Mid-JunTelluride Bluegrass Festival
  • Late JunTelluride Wine Festival — Food & Vine
  • Late JunTelluride Yoga Festival

Jul — Sep

High summer

  • Jul 4Fourth of July parade & fireworks
  • Mid-JulPlein Air Art Festival
  • Late JulTelluride Art + Architecture Weekend
  • Early AugTelluride Jazz Festival
  • Mid-AugTelluride Mushroom Festival
  • Late AugTelluride Food & Wine Reserve
  • Early SepTelluride Film Festival (Labor Day weekend)
  • Mid-SepBlues & Brews Festival
  • Late SepTelluride Autumn Classic car show

Oct — Dec

Gold, then first snow

  • Late Sep–OctFall colour at its peak in the aspens
  • Mid-OctTelluride Horror Show
  • Late NovOpening day, Telluride Ski Resort (around Thanksgiving)
  • DecNoel Night & holiday season in Mountain Village
  • Dec 31New Year's Eve torchlight parade & fireworks

Most of these land on the same weekend each year, but exact dates shift — and opening and closing days move with the snow. Confirm against telluride.com and tellurideskiresort.com before booking flights.

Good to Know

House Notes

Fire & Fireplace Safety
Our two wood-burning fireplaces — living room and kitchen — are available for guest use, with wood provided in the woodshed. Never leave a fire unattended, always use the screen, and let it burn out completely before bed.
Wildlife & Bear Country
We border National Forest land, home to deer, elk, fox, and black bear. Keep food and trash secured in wildlife-proof containers, lock vehicle doors overnight, and always observe wildlife from a safe distance.
Trash — Please Read

This is the one house rule we're strict about. Bears in Ski Ranches have learned that trash left out means an easy meal, and a bag left on the drive overnight doesn't just make a mess — it teaches a bear to come back, and a bear that keeps coming back usually ends up destroyed.

All trash goes inside the wildlife-proof bin, latched shut. Never leave bags on the deck, in the garage overnight, or beside the driveway for morning pickup. If the bin is full, please message us rather than leaving the overflow outside.

Rubbish torn from bags and scattered across a forest road by wildlife
A neighbour's bags, the morning after. This is what we're trying to avoid.
Getting Here & 4WD
The driveway is long and climbs, and Ski Ranches sits higher than town. We keep it plowed through every storm, but a 4WD or AWD vehicle with proper snow tires is strongly recommended between November and April — two-wheel drive rentals do get stuck on the last stretch.
Hot Tub Guidelines
Maximum four adults, twenty to thirty minute sessions recommended. Children must be supervised at all times, and we ask that all guests shower before use. No glassware in the hot tub area.
Pets
Well-behaved pets are welcome with prior host approval; a pet fee applies. We ask that pets stay off the furniture and that owners clean up promptly.
Smoking & Gatherings
No smoking or vaping indoors. Parties and events require prior host approval, and we ask all guests to be mindful of neighbors and keep noise reasonable.
Check-in & Check-out
Check-in from 3:00 PM, check-out by 11:00 AM. Self check-in is available, with details provided ahead of your stay.

Plan Your Stay

Request Availability

Tell us your dates and who's coming, and we'll follow up personally.

Rates

From around $1,000 per night

Varies by season and date — holidays and festival weekends sit well above the average, and mud season well below. Send your dates and we'll quote exactly.

How to book

Short stays → Airbnb is the easiest route, with live availability and their full protection on both sides.

Longer bookings & returning guests → get in touch and we'll book direct. Skipping the platform fees saves us both money, and we pass that on.

See Live Calendar & Pricing on Airbnb →

Pets welcome with prior approval · fee applies

A member of our team will respond personally — no booking fees, ever.

Black Bear Lodge — Telluride Ski Ranches Check Availability