This area is host to the best ice routes in Colorado: Bridalveil Falls, Ames Ice Hose and Ingraham Falls. All three are visible from afar, all are gorgeous and long and all are hard. Best of all, they are all classics. You can't lose here if the ice is in.

Telluride is now an expensive town to stay in but with all the local climbers, finding a place to doss is usually a good bet. Climbers seem to hang out at at the Last Dollar, Limegruber's, the Floradora, the Steaming Bean, or Sophio's.

For climbing gear, route beta and to hook up with local climbers, stop by the Telluride Mountaineer. Many of the climbs are approached via avalanche paths so if it dumps, bag the climbing, grab your boards and head up to the mountain for some turns. Beware, though, the local like the bumps and build 'em steep and tall.

From Montrose, take US Hwy 550 South to Ridgway, then Hwy 62 over Dallas Divide to Telluride.

Mileage: Albuquerque, 319; Denver, 335; Durango, 122; Grand Junction, 127; Moab, 131; Montrose, 68; Phoenix, 475; Ridgway, 35; Santa Fe, 280; Silverton, 66.

For those seeking more pleasant accomodations that the back of a SUV or a tent, there are some barely tolerable prices here. Mountainside Inn in town, at the south end of twisty Davis St offers rooms in the $100/night range. There is a website for lodging. Note, remember this is a town where the cheapest studio runs $240K, a house downtown could run you $4.8M, and realtors help pay for first time, 1st home, home owners!

Wow, some things are pretty pricey here. In addition to the above, consider Fat Alley BBQ place on 122 S. Oak St; Pacific Street Pizza & Subs, 627 W. Pacific; the Baked in Telluride with pizza, sandwiches, salads at 127 S. Fir; Merle's Brown Bag Telluride, 126 W. Colorado; West End Tavern, 573 W. Pacific; Las Montanas, 453 W. Pacific; The Burger Bungalow, Mtn Village. Many places require dinner reservations.