Telluride/Ouray...

[brightdoglover]

A friend who has a business in central eastern Utah that depends on tourism said that U.S. business is almost completely gone, and the business that there is consists of Europeans. She said it is scary times in the tourism world, resort and otherwise. Just to say that you cannot count of getting any kind of job, even if you are willing to do most anything- those jobs are either gone or long-since-taken by people who are willing to do anything and have had to already.

That said, the Ridgway Sun newspaper lists some interesting rentals, Ridgway being about 40 miles from Telluride and some five miles from Ouray, especially if you don't insist on summer rentals.
Best wishes. Such a gorgeous part of the world, and for a great adventure.

[lalahartma]

I heart that area! And Orvis!

[wolfiebear]

If serious dumps are what you are looking for, don't forget parts of the California Sierras, as well as Washington and Oregon. Mammoth Lakes, CA comes to mind....on the pricier end.....also Alpine Meadows.....Mount Hood comes to mind if you want near year round skiing....Mount Bachelor, OR has a long season, and a real town just 30 miles down the road....
Just thought I woudl mention it because it seems that folks from back east think only Colorado has "real" mountains and mentally never get any further west. You might be quite surprised.....(pleasantly!)

As a compromise, I was thinking of Evergreen, CO myself. However, not much snow there, and hot in the summers...pretty far from skiing, pretty close to metropolitan Denver, etc....but didn't seem bad at all.

Telluride??? Maybe Mumsy and Daddy-poo will loan you their credit card for a year or two. AH-hahahah. I like Telluride too......<grin>
<wink>
Inga

PS - Also consider some of the lesser known ski areas in Utah, which is known for it's stellar snow! Typically, Utah gets more, super dry snow than Colorado.