Q&A

Skiing, Style & the Telluride Vibe

by LINNE HALPERN

Meet Kellyn Wilson, a Telluride-based professional skier and fashion icon. On the slopes, she catches looks for her “send-it” attitude and ambitious lines, while on the streets, she turns heads with her funky ‘fits and unique personal style. Wilson is also one half of the duo behind TOGS, a newsletter that explores the intersection of fashion and function in the outdoors. We caught up with Wilson to get the scoop on life in Telluride along with tips for winter travelers.

What is your packing advice for winter visitors?

Stick to your own personal style! Don’t be persuaded by the Pinterest searches for “what to wear on a Colorado ski trip.” You don’t need a long fur coat and cowboy hat (unless you want to, of course!).

Telluride is funky to its core and more casual than other resort towns. It’s hilly, often sunny and always icy on the shady side of the street. So, I recommend bringing shoes with some traction, sunscreen, layers, nice jeans, a wool sweater, a fleece vest and any statement coats you don’t have an excuse to wear at home.

Are there any ski apparel or mountain town fashion trends that you’re loving right now?

For ski trends, I’ve been loving anything with heritage or vintage elements, or with some pops of red. The classic alpine stuff. Big, bold colors look great against our blue sky!

For mountain town fashion, I lean into layers. Winter is perfect for Nordic-inspired sweaters and scarves, wool vests and long oversized coats. I pair everything with technical hiking shoes for some juxtaposition and function. While heels aren’t practical, I do think anything with a platform or thick sole is surprisingly pragmatic. If you’re walking on Main Street, a thick sole will keep you off the freezing ground and make your feet warmer.

Where are your favorite places to eat and shop in Telluride?

The Coffee Cowboy is the world’s cutest coffee cart. You can ski right to it and they have a team of local cowgirls cranking out the best espresso in town. I love Van Atta, the new speakeasy-style bar and restaurant, for cocktails and shared plates (the wagyu sliders are to die for!).

And my favorite places to shop in town are MiXX, for beautiful and unique jewelry, and the Color / Flowers by Ella store for vintage clothes, plants and home goods.

What’s your favorite ski run at the resort?

I love anything off Chair 14 (Gold Hill Express) for steep runs and powder stashes, as well as the sweeping views from the top. It’s unlike anything else in Colorado! From the top of Chair 14, you can also ski to Alpino Vino for a grilled cheese and tomato soup that will change your life. In the spring, lapping Revelation Bowl and hanging out on the sundeck is the best.

Describe your perfect day in Telluride.

Waking up to a midweek powder day. After letting my dog have her fun in the snow, we ski down our street to The Coffee Cowboy, where I get an almond-milk latte. The Chair 8 (Oak Street) lift line is short and all my friends are there. We lap Chair 9 (Plunge) as our tracks fill in. For lunch, I stop at Stronghouse Brew Pub for a beer and sausage. Then, I head over to the Ah Haa School for the Arts where I take a silk-dying class from local legend and renowned artist Kathy Green. Afterward, I go to There for a martini, before walking over to The Alibi for live music and dancing. Finally, somehow, I’m in bed before 10 p.m. It’s a dream day that happens often in this magical town.