Telluride, Colorado, the former mining town turned ski haven, is about to get a serious upgrade.
A new Four Seasons hotel and residence community is in the works, promising to cater to ultra-wealthy winter sports enthusiasts and potentially rival the likes of Aspen and Vail.
But while the project excites some, it also has locals worried about rising costs and the changing character of their mountain town.
A Ski-In, Ski-Out Playground for the Wealthy
The resort will feature multimillion-dollar condos with direct ski access to the Telluride Ski Resort.
Guests and residents can expect top-tier amenities: a ski valet who stores gear and helps with dressing, gondola access to explore Telluride’s shops and restaurants, an indoor lap pool, outdoor hot tub, and a full-service spa including sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, and cold plunge.
“This is different even than other Four Seasons,” said Dev Motwani, managing partner of Merrimac Ventures.
“It’s a lot like what you see in Europe—smaller, boutique ski towns with a really personal feel.”
Luxury Living Comes With Eye-Watering Prices
The main hotel will have 52 rooms for short-term guests, while 43 hotel residences will range from two to five bedrooms.
Prices start at $3 million for one-bedroom units and top out at $30 million for penthouses.
Adjacent private residences will start at $8 million and climb to $40 million, with strict no-rental rules for a fully customized, full-time living experience.
Despite construction starting only a month ago, 30 percent of the units have already been sold, demonstrating strong demand among affluent buyers.
Concerns for the Local Community
While the Four Seasons promises luxury and convenience, Telluride Mayor Teddy Errico raised concerns about affordability.
With the town already “90 to 95 percent built out,” he worries that rising property values will price out residents and future employees.
“Going out to dinner is expensive. Buying clothes is expensive,” Errico explained.
“It’s hard to have the cool, funky shops like we used to have.”
He hopes to add 500 affordable housing units over the next five years in partnership with Mountain Village and San Miguel County to offset the pressure.
Mountain Village Steps In
Because Telluride’s geography limits expansion, the Four Seasons development is taking place in nearby Mountain Village, a separate town incorporated in 1995.
Mountain Village Mayor Marti Prohaska pointed out that larger hotels and employers already place significant pressure on housing, and the Four Seasons is relatively small in comparison, employing around 250 permanent staff.
To help balance the impact, developers Merrimac and Fort Partners have pledged $7.4 million toward community initiatives, including $2.5 million for a housing fund and the revitalization of the plaza area outside the hotel to attract more foot traffic.
Mixed Reactions Among Residents
Locals are divided. Some see the resort as a boon for the economy, calling it the “cherry on top” for Telluride’s skiing scene.
Younger residents fear soaring rents and home prices, while longtime locals — the “old timers” — resist change altogether.
Mayor Errico acknowledges the tension: “A lot of those old timers are dear friends of mine… They want it to stay as it was in the 80s or 70s.
But we can have a future that changes and evolves while keeping the spirit of Telluride alive.”
A New Chapter for Telluride
With the Four Seasons slated to open in late 2028, Telluride is clearly entering a new era.
The development promises luxury, convenience, and European-style ski town charm, but it also highlights the challenges of balancing economic growth with affordability and preserving local culture.
For this historic mining town, the next few years will define how it adapts to luxury tourism while trying to remain home to the people who have kept its spirit alive for generations