Hotel Review: Franz Klammer Lodge

Photo: Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge

Coloradans pride themselves on the natural beauty of their state. With stunning glacial lakes, beautiful forests and fields of wildflowers, it’s the mountains that the locals hold close to their hearts. And with at least 52 14ers (peaks that are over 14,000 feet) it’s no surprise to find out that there are nearly 30 ski areas in the state alone. To the uninitiated, Aspen is usually the first resort that springs to mind (thanks in large part to Lloyd Christmas and Harry Dunne) but we journeyed southward to check out a smaller, lesser known resort, nestled in a glacial valley in the San Juan Mountains.

A former silver-mining camp on the San Miguel River, Telluride was founded in 1878, however it wasn’t until 1970 that skiing was brought to the box canyon town. In 1987 Telluride began its transformation into its current incarnation with the opening of Mountain Village, a pedestrian-oriented, ski-in, ski-out community that sits nearly 1,000 feet above Telluride.

Today there are several resorts and hotels offering year-round accommodation (Telluride isn’t just for winter afterall) in Mountain Village, along with dozens of dining, drinking and shopping outlets.

We visited Fairmont Heritage Place Franz Klammer Lodge in the heart of Mountain Village to sample life at 10,000 feet (but remember - those apres-ski Martinis can really hit you).

Named after famed Austrian skier, Franz Klammer, the Fairmont property has 63 residences that are all decorated in typical mountain lodge fashion (think timber window frames, stone fireplaces and cozy, rustic furnishings).

Photo: Bedroom

Two- or three-bedroom residences offer between 1,400 and 2,000 square feet of space with two ensuite bathrooms complete with Jacuzzi-style spa tubs (a necessity for soothing hike- or ski-worn muscles). Fully-equipped kitchens come stocked with all the necessities, Champagne flutes included of course, and the resort even offers pre-arrival grocery shopping.

Photo: Living space

The living and dining rooms accentuate the alpine nature of the resort’s location with the fireplace keeping you toasty during winter, while decks of varying sizes offer social media junkies the opportunity to brave the cold (or bask in the sun) for what is now a requisite selfie with views of the mountains and the gondola in the background.

Photo: Lobby

The lobby is an open, airy space with contemporary furnishings and rustic alpine accents, and a Monday happy hour in the lobby encourages guests to mix and mingle over wine, beer, cocktails and canapés. A deck off the lobby overlooks Mountain Village’s main square and is great for sitting with a drink and watching people trudge to and from their hotels.

Photo: Spa

The resort’s Himmel (German for heaven) Spa offers massages, facials and body treatments along with a 24-hour fitness centre (with daily classes), hot tubs, a heated outdoor pool and a coed steam room and sauna and an O2 bar which can help you acclimatise to the altitude.

Stay tuned to read more about our spa experience

Getting in: While Telluride does have its own airport, most visitors will fly into Montrose Regional Airport and take a shuttle to Telluride (approx 90 minutes), particularly during ski seasons when seasonal flights operate from all over the US. There are also various rental car agencies in Montrose should you want to drive yourself, however with a free gondola connecting Telluride and Mountain Village expect to be parked the whole time.

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