Raise your hand if you’ve never skied Telluride. You’re certainly not alone. Chances are you’ve never even visited Telluride, and you’re not alone there either.” —Kyle Wagner, Denver Post Travel Editor, October 25, 2009

My daughter came home to get married in Telluride this past summer. Not only was it a beautiful occasion in an awe-inspiring setting, it was also a chance for me to connect with the “visitor” experience. From lodging to restaurants, salons and gift shops, the entourage hit it all in the grand slam of a once-in-a-lifetime celebration. I realized I had never had so many guests in my little town at the same time. And Telluride delivered. Everyone was taken by this place, and a good many of them were from overseas (my daughter married a Brit), seasoned travelers, and old friends who’d never been to Telluride. From swimming in the river—how long has it been since you’ve done that?—to hiking the new Keystone Gorge trail and rubbing shoulders with the rabble at the Buck, the party never sullied. As Stephen Barrett points out in this issue’s Write Here essay, if you discover Telluride, you are indeed lucky.

It’s more than just the scenery that endears us to Telluride. The people are the heartbeat of the town, and in these pages, you’ll be introduced to women ski patrollers who keep our slopes safe and a male among them who was named “Patrolman of the Year”; a wedding planner who nurtures exchange students; an artist who finds inspiration in the metamorphosis of aspen trees; and a New Hampshire transplant who left his indelible mark on this insular community. We offer our annual collection of excellent reads on the region, recipes to sate and tips on everything from mountain health to where to ski and what to ski on—be it downhill or cross-country. If you are planning to make the trip, check out the calendar of events and pick up our sister publication, Telluride and Mountain Village Visitor Guide, for all the particulars. Telluride is the best getaway you’ll take. I know a bridal party who’ll attest to that.

Cheerio, Duffy