If you’re planning a family ski vacation in the beautiful town of Telluride, look no further than this off-the-beaten-path cabin. Built at an elevation of more than 11,000 feet, the cabin has become known as “The Observatory” because of its soaring location and gorgeous view. A group of hippies built the house in the 1970s, using locally quarried stone, concrete, and timber and constructing the interior with beautiful cedar and Douglas fir woods. With two bedrooms and a loft bunkie, the cabin can sleep up to 10 people, which means it’s great for big family get-togethers. Over the years, the cabin has been renovated—hello modern kitchen and sleek bathroom!—but the rustic charm remains. The stained glass windows, custom hand-forged ironwork, and gorgeous stone fireplace are all charming reminders of this cabin’s decades-old history. Best yet, the Telluride Ski Resort is just a short snowmobile ride away.
This remote mountain cabin was made for family ski vacations
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To access the cabin in the winter, visitors can traverse the snowy road on a snowmobile or make their way on cross country skis or snowshoes. As the owners say, “getting to the Observatory is most definitely part of the adventure!”. In the warmer months, when the dirt road is clear, it’s much easier for guests to access the cabin.

The main floor of the cabin contains an open-concept living room, dining area with a table that can sit 12, and a spacious kitchen. Massive logs throughout the interiors make the cabin feel decidedly cozy and bring a rustic charm to the space. After a day snowshoeing, cross country skiing, or snowboarding on the mountain, guests can curl up next to the blazing fire.

Here’s another look at the living room. We love the industrial coffee table, which looks as if it was made of an old factory cart, the arched windows and the sectional covered in plush leather.

The kitchen recently had an overhaul and now features marble counter tops, stainless appliances, and even an extra refrigerator made for beverages. There’s plenty of space to whip up big family suppers or pre-ski brunches.

The principal bedroom is gorgeous with its own statement fireplace and architectural angled ceilings. Who needs a headboard when you have windows as stunning as these ones?

This loft overlooks the dining area. It has its own living area—perfect for kids who want to play boardgames or cards away from the adults—as well as two full-sized bunk beds.

In addition to the sauna, guests can relax sore muscles from skiing in the agate-lined hot tub. The window frame above the tub is actually made of a bull wheel from a mining tram that operated above the cabin decades ago.
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