Telluride vs Ouray? (Aspen, Crested Butte, Ridgway: motel, theater, to live in)

[Ny1964]

Which town is more "scenic"? Better looking?

[GStone777]

I like the amphitheater look of the mountains around Ouray and the rugged small town feeling. It's a tough choice but I think Ouray is a little more scenic than Telluride.

[Idunn]

They both enjoy quite unique and very scenic locations. Each is different in certain distinct ways, although both within box canyons.

Telluride is surrounded by very high mountains; even at its elevation of 8,750 feet, the impression on three sides are of very tall surrounding peaks. It would be a personal preference in scenery between this town and Ouray, as both reside in very beautiful locals.

The greater difference between these two small towns is in ambience. Telluride is far more active, especially so in winter due its renowned ski area. The clientele is different, more upscale, and all is more expensive. It is also a fairly liberal place, with this quite isolated town feeling it is a kingdom unto itself in some respects.

Ouray (7,792 feet) is more intimate. Unlike Telluride residing near the end of its somewhat long canyon, Ouray seems more enclosed, as if in a small pocket with very tall mountains nearly surrounding it on four sides. This is somewhat deceptive, as this box canyon gradually opens to the north towards Ridgway, with no sheer mountain directly to the south. Although a good sized one is plainly visible not far south, the impression heightened with US 550 through town as main street abruptly beginning its ascent just south of town. In fact before, as little of Ouray is level: compared to its surroundings it seems about the only level place around, but most of the town resides at a certain angle.

Ouray is near somnolent during winter, in offering no downhill skiing and few other activities. Much of the town closes, although I believe their public hot spring pool remains open. This fabulous natural hot water is also shared by a few private enterprises, and at least one motel using this for hot tubs. In summer most tourists are not there to pose or flash their money, but simply enjoy the superlative nature.

Either place puts much of Colorado to shame when it comes to natural beauty, and that is saying something. Each was a former mining town, with each retaining a good number of attractive Victorian buildings. Both are worth visiting. As to which one might favor, this depending on personal preference and that sought.

[Ny1964]

Originally Posted by Idunn

They both enjoy quite unique and very scenic locations. Each is different in certain distinct ways, although both within box canyons.

Telluride is surrounded by very high mountains; even at its elevation of 8,750 feet, the impression on three sides are of very tall surrounding peaks. It would be a personal preference in scenery between this town and Ouray, as both reside in very beautiful locals.

The greater difference between these two small towns is in ambience. Telluride is far more active, especially so in winter due its renowned ski area. The clientele is different, more upscale, and all is more expensive. It is also a fairly liberal place, with this quite isolated town feeling it is a kingdom unto itself in some respects.

Ouray (7,792 feet) is more intimate. Unlike Telluride residing near the end of its somewhat long canyon, Ouray seems more enclosed, as if in a small pocket with very tall mountains nearly surrounding it on four sides. This is somewhat deceptive, as this box canyon gradually opens to the north towards Ridgway, with no sheer mountain directly to the south. Although a good sized one is plainly visible not far south, the impression heightened with US 550 through town as main street abruptly beginning its ascent just south of town. In fact before, as little of Ouray is level: compared to its surroundings it seems about the only level place around, but most of the town resides at a certain angle.

Ouray is near somnolent during winter, in offering no downhill skiing and few other activities. Much of the town closes, although I believe their public hot spring pool remains open. This fabulous natural hot water is also shared by a few private enterprises, and at least one motel using this for hot tubs. In summer most tourists are not there to pose or flash their money, but simply enjoy the superlative nature.

Either place puts much of Colorado to shame when it comes to natural beauty, and that is saying something. Each was a former mining town, with each retaining a good number of attractive Victorian buildings. Both are worth visiting. As to which one might favor, this depending on personal preference and that sought.

Thank you very much for taking you're time to let me know this! Very exiting to know they are both great places. I must say I want to visit Telluride a little more than Ouray now though. Thanks much.

[jazzlover]

Both towns are in beautiful settings, but I find Telluride to be one of the most socially repugnant places in Colorado. Full of nothing but out-of-state 1-percenters, aging hippies, lovers of recreational (illegal) drugs, and obnoxious tourists--all trying to prove just how "cool" they are to be in such a pretty place. No wonder that many of the old-time Telluride natives (and I know a lot of them) won't even go back to the place for a visit. Periodically, I've had to go there on business and I get in and out of town as fast as I possibly can. Pity that such a beautiful place has attracted all the "beautiful" people. Despite the poverty and the big mine tailings piles that "decorated" the town, Telluride was a much better place back in the 1960's when I knew it--before it got "discovered."

[jim9251]

Ouray. You couldn't pay me to live in Telluride mainly for the reasons jazz has expressed and others.

[Josseppie]

I have not been in years but I have to say I prefer Telluride.

[Trumbull257]

Originally Posted by Ny1964

Which town is more "scenic"? Better looking?

Both towns are very scenic, but I prefer Ouray as a travel destination hands-down. As Jazzlover has noted, Telluride has been utterly ruined by all the pretentious, obnoxious people who have taken over the town. I can no longer stand to even visit that place. Ouray, on the other hand, is a genuine, wonderful little town situated in one of the most scenic locales in the world.

[Ny1964]

Originally Posted by jazzlover

Both towns are in beautiful settings, but I find Telluride to be one of the most socially repugnant places in Colorado. Full of nothing but out-of-state 1-percenters, aging hippies, lovers of recreational (illegal) drugs, and obnoxious tourists--all trying to prove just how "cool" they are to be in such a pretty place. No wonder that many of the old-time Telluride natives (and I know a lot of them) won't even go back to the place for a visit. Periodically, I've had to go there on business and I get in and out of town as fast as I possibly can. Pity that such a beautiful place has attracted all the "beautiful" people. Despite the poverty and the big mine tailings piles that "decorated" the town, Telluride was a much better place back in the 1960's when I knew it--before it got "discovered."

Hmmm. That's not good. Are there any other towns with the same type of scenery as Telluride minus the obnoxious people?

[jazzlover]

I go by my old saying, "If you've read about the place in a national magazine, it's probably already been ruined." That pretty much covers most of the "resort" towns in Colorado. Telluride and Aspen are the poster children of ruined places, but places like Crested Butte, Summit County, etc. are not far behind. There still are some beautiful places, but they tend to be off the beaten track and usually don't have the "amenities" that the typical yuppie tourist expects. If you want "authentic" Colorado, you need to go where the 1-percenters and other affluent tourists aren't. That's getting pretty hard to find.