Telluride

It may be the snow that lures most visitors to the San Juans, but Telluride regulars book their favorite restaurants well in advance every year. The tiny town offers a great variety of eateries, many of them beloved by locals and out-of-towners alike. Though most of the best restaurants are located in the charming box canyon village itself, there are a couple of requisite slopeside stops – for example, an Alpine-inspired wine chalet at 11,000 feet, with legendary grilled cheeses and gorgeous views of the Wilson Range. As even the most passionate powder-hounds can attest, the list of delicious distractions gets longer every year.