A press release from The Telluride Ski Resort October 26, 2009 announced the opening Gold Hill Chutes 2-5 for the 2009/10 season. The chutes, all above tree line, reminiscent of those found in Alaska or the Alps, are some of the more challenging terrain off Gold Hill with a vertical drop of 1600 vertical feet. This new terrain is accessed by a new snow cat road from the top of Revelation Chair 15 to Gold Hill Chute 10, making the hike achievable for you and me. In the last 3 seasons Telluride has expanded into Black Iron Bowl, Palmyra Peak, Revelation Bowl and Gold Hill Chutes 1-10, culminating in over 400 acres of new terrain. The vertical drop of 4,425 feet, and 3,845 feet lift served is now one of the largest in North America. Through the grape vine we hear that they have also opened up the top of Gold Hill Cute 9 allowing an easier approach to one of the spectacular couloirs for advanced intermediate skiers. As a side note, rumor on the street is that the Forest Service is planning to open 3 or 4 new back country gates allowing access into lower Bear Creek, not for the faint of heart.

Telluride Hosts its first World Cup event. The 2010 Visa U.S. Snowboardcross Cup comes to town Dec. 17-20, 2009. Telluride will be the sole U.S. stop of the LG FIS Snowboard World Cup and will feature an SBX (snowboardcross), PGS (parallel giant slalom) and the newly added Team Snowboardcross competition. It will be the second in a series of five Olympic qualifying events. The heat will be on in the snowboardcross as four athletes race through rollers, jumps and banked turns in an attempt to be the first racer crossing the finish line. U.S. Snowboarding’s men’s SBX roster includes Olympic champion Seth Wescott , snowboarding legend Shaun Palmer (South Lake Tahoe, CA), and Olympic silver medalist Lindsey Jacobellis (Stratton Mountain, VT).

In other news from Telluride Ski Resort, the Dining is Redefined. Allred’s will be offering a new fair of steaks, seafood, chops salads and sides in one of the most scenic dining rooms in North America at the top of the Gondola. Enjoy cocktails and appetizers at the bar or sit down in the new steakhouse atmosphere of the dining room. The European chalet style Alpino Vino opened last year offering fine wines, cheeses, soup and sandwiches is expanding their outdoor seating with a new multi tiered deck. It will have an outdoor wine bar and seating for 50 with dramatic views of the Wilson Range. The Hop Garden, at the base of chair 4, has opened its new outdoor bar and beer garden, offering domestic and international beers, cocktails and a menu to suit the whole family. The Hop Garden serves up some of the best burgers in town, a delight for kids of all ages. The giant yellow umbrella has become “The place to be for après ski” (sounds like the jingle from the famed and missed Leimgruber’s). They’re also introducing their own version of the Mug Club.