TELLURIDE – Skiers and snowboarders in the know consider the month of March prime time for skiing in Telluride, when the snowpack is often at its peak. And now, a new level of mountain luxury awaits skiers, as Capella Telluride announces its Feb. 15, 2009 opening. The resort enjoys an ideal ski-in/ski-out location on the mountain, with every detail designed for the most discerning traveler.

Resort guests and owners will benefit from the thoughtful architectural design and layout of Capella Telluride, realized by developers RAL Companies and Affiliates. Nestled in the heart of Mountain Village, the 100 guest rooms and 48 condominium suites afford convenient access to the 1,700 skiable acres of Telluride Ski Resort, complemented by Capella Telluride’s Nordic Lounge. Here, guests will enjoy a taste for Capella’s unparalleled service, as ski valet warm boots, offer hot beverages, assist with and ultimately store guests’ equipment.

And Telluride’s 2008/09 ski season will introduce the new Revelation quad chair lift, giving Capella Telluride skiers access to the challenging Revelation Bowl. For beginner and intermediate skiers and snowboarders looking for a more recreational ride, the Telluride Ski Resort offers a variety of trails suited for every level of downhill enthusiast.

Off the mountain, the hotel’s world-class indoor amenities including the exclusive Capella living room, alpine-inspired spa, indoor pool with floor-to-ceiling retractable windows, fitness center, entertainment venues, climate controlled parking, kids’ club and retail facilities. The resort’s three dining venues will include Onyx Restaurant, featuring haute alpine cuisine, the casual Gray Jay Café for quick gourmet treats and the elegant Suede Bar offering après ski tapas and evening cocktails. Capella Telluride will also introduce a new community ice skating rink, which will act as a meeting place for guests and locals alike.

“We envision Capella Telluride as the vibrant center of this world-class resort town, yet have designed the experience to offer guests the privacy and exclusivity that only Capella can provide,” commented Horst Schulze, CEO of Capella Hotels and Resorts. “Capella Telluride will encompass laid-back elegance reflecting the mountain lifestyle for which the area is renowned.”

Ultimately, the intimate setting of Capella Telluride will honor the unspoiled mountain grandeur that has made Telluride a storied year-round destination. During the height of ski season, outdoor enthusiasts might also try heli-skiing, snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and ice climbing, in addition to traditional mountain skiing and snowboarding.

To introduce Capella Telluride, the resort is offering special winter rates starting at $295 and summer rates starting at $195. Reservations can be made over the phone at 877/247-6688. For more information, visit www.capellatelluride.com.

Peaks Names New Sales Team

TELLURIDE – The Peaks Resort and Golden Door Spa, Telluride’s premier luxury retreat, welcomes Amanda Acosta as associate director of sales and Diana Burdette-Lincoln as senior sales manager responsible for furthering corporate and group sales efforts. Acosta and Burdette-Lincoln will focus on promoting the resort’s newly updated accommodations, spa facilities and year-round amenities to corporate, association and event markets.

Acosta, who will oversee all onsite sales initiatives, began her hospitality career at various mountain destination resorts in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina before moving to Telluride to handle conference services at The Peaks Resort. After three years at The Peaks, Acosta was promoted to national sales manager at sister property The Buena Vista Palace Resort in Orlando, Fla. She now brings her experience back to Telluride, as associate director of sales.

Burdette-Lincoln, who serves as senior sales manager focusing on the Denver market, comes to The Peaks most recently from The Timbers Hotel in Denver, where she served as director of sales and marketing. Prior to that, she held several sales management positions at other Denver area hotels.

The Peaks offers convenient ski-in/ski-out access to Telluride Ski Resort where 1,700 acres of pristine powder-packed terrain await skiers of all skill levels. New for winter, the resort has refurbished all guestrooms and will reopen the doors of the Appaloosa restaurant. For more information visit www.ThePeaksResort.com.

New Sheridan Due to Open Dec. 20

TELLURIDE – The New Sheridan Hotel in downtown Telluride will unveil its $7 million renovation on Dec. 20, introducing a new era for a historic property that has served as Telluride's social center since 1895.

Since closing in April, the property's 26 guest rooms and two double-room suites have received a luxurious transformation under the guidance of designer Nina Campbell. A new nitrogen wine bar system and additional wine storage at The Chop House have allowed the restaurant to expand its wine list and offer an impressive variety of selections by the glass. Placing a premium on people watching, the restaurant relocated its kitchen to create more space for window seats overlooking Telluride's main street, and expanded the overall square footage to accommodate a total of 150 seats.

The project has also uncovered a mezzanine-level balcony in the New Sheridan bar that has been walled off for several decades. Once a small performance area for bands, guests will be able to relax with a cocktail in the new edition of the balcony.

Ski Shops Increase Rental Inventory

DENVER (AP) – Colorado ski-rental shops are expanding their inventory and making it easier for vacationers to rent equipment amid increasing airline baggage fees.

The spike in inventory at some shops comes as industry experts say bringing all the necessary skiing equipment in a second, oversized bag can cost skiers as much as $250 each way on some airlines – and that's not counting what it would cost to bring skis for the whole family. “You can buy a new set of skis for these prices,” said Mike Boyd, with Evergreen's Boyd Group aviation consulting firm.

Ski shops are banking that the high baggage fees will put their rental equipment in high demand this season.

Winter Park spent $250,000 on new rental gear and Monarch Ski and Snowboard Resort tripled its inventory while others are enticing skiers by offering to deliver ski and snowboard rentals to hotels and condos.

“It has become a better option to rent at the resort than fly with your own,” said Tapio Niskanen, national sales manager for rentskis.com, a division of Denver-based Specialty Sports.