Surrounding by the majestic Rocky Mountain peaks that give the Peaks Resort & Spa its name, the town of Telluride, Colorado is located at an altitude of 9,500 feet, in what is referred to as a ‘boxed canyon.’ And, on a clear day, the resort’s spa director Todd Shaw tells me, you can see all the way to neighboring Utah. Year-round, it’s an inspirational setting ideal for any wellness-focused getaway.
As the spa director, industry veteran and powerhouse Shaw (who is also the chairman of the International Spa Association) has been given the assignment to position this already popular resort, with its A-1 spa facility, as Colorado’s premier wellness destination. Following my recent visit, I have every confidence that he will clearly accomplish that goal. And, soon.
Spread out over five floors of the resort, the 40,000 square foot spa facility is the largest in the region and certainly one of the most prestigious in the state. The spa facility includes 30 nicely-appointed spa treatment rooms, a full salon, an Olympic-sized pool, an indoor-outdoor pool (pictured above) and the largest and most sophisticated gym in town.
Four movement studios offer both personal training sessions plus group classes, and several spa lounge area look out onto the stunning signature vistas of this famed mountain region.
There are three to six group classes scheduled daily – everything from Dance Fit to Pilates Mat and Cycle/Barre to Kickboxing, Meditation and various yoga sessions. One of the more unique fitness offerings is a Masters Swim Program in the resorts’ indoor lap pool – a 25 meters/82 feet, it’s the length of swimming pools used for “short course” Olympic competitions.
The spa menu is wide and varied with all the expected facials, massages and body treatments, but beyond that they also offer ‘destination spa’ type services such as a 90-minute Comprehensive Wellness Evaluation and a 60-minute Wellness Coaching/Integrative Psychotherapy Session with a medical doctor. Offerings not typically seen on resort spa menus include Astrology and Tarot Reading sessions, Acupuncture, Chiropractic services, plus a range of Physical Therapy services. Shaw tells me they are seriously committed to providing members and guests opportunities to explore their full self with unique therapies, and “support them in achieving the highest enjoyment of life.”
Telluride is not an easy destination to get to. You’re looking at a six-hour drive from downtown Denver or a 90-minute drive from the nearest regional airport of MontRose, but that’s what differentiates this destination and creates its unique appeal. The famed mountain village is definitely worth every hairpin turn on the drive up.
The town tends to draw residents that love the outdoors and the fitness lifestyle, and while the population is about 2,500 year-round residents, numbers are said to swell to about 10,000 during peak season. Beyond the year-round fitness options available, the town also offers a number of designated wellness weeks and weekends throughout the year including the Telluride Integrated Wellness Summit.
