Mountain Village extends gondola hours, offers Lawson shuttle during Telluride Bluegrass Festival
With a modified Telluride Bluegrass Festival in 2021 with fewer ticketholders, the Town of Mountain Village would like to share the following information when it comes to transportation during the festival.
Free Parking in Mountain Village
Due to the festival’s smaller size this year, there is no agreement between Planet Bluegrass and the Town of Mountain Village for free overnight parking or parking on roadways this year as there have been previously.
Visitors coming in from out of town are welcome to park for free during the daytime in Gondola Parking Garage. However, overnight parking is $25 per night in Gondola Parking Garage. There are pay stations in the garage or guests are encouraged to use the Park Mobile app.
For other paid parking options in Mountain Village please visit our website.
The free gondola, one of the most unique forms of public transportation in North America, will take festivarians directly into Telluride to enjoy the festival in Town Park. Please remember that federal law requires masks be worn on the gondola while in terminals and throughout the entire ride. Gondola capacity is back to 100 percent and riders will be loaded with others, especially during peak hours.
Please also be aware that overnight camping is not permitted in the Gondola Parking Garage or anywhere in Mountain Village town limits.
Extended Gondola Hours
The gondola, which typically shuts down at midnight, will extend its operating hours until 2 a.m. on the following nights:
- Friday, June 11
- Saturday, June 12
- Sunday, June 13
- Thursday, June 17
- Friday, June 18
- Saturday, June 19
This schedule is aligned with Planet Bluegrass’ Nightgrass schedule at Club Red at the Telluride Conference Center and anyone attending Nightgrass shows will have ample time to get to the Gondola to return to Telluride after the music ends.
Please remember that masks are still required on the gondola while in terminals and throughout the entire ride. Gondola capacity is back to 100 percent and riders will be loaded with others, especially during peak hours.
Nightgrass Lawson Shuttle
With the festival’s smaller capacity changing some camping and transportation options that locals are used to, Mountain Village has decided to offer a free bus service for Lawson Hill residents after each Nightgrass show.
Two buses will leave the Centrum Bus Stop (located in front of Club Red at Telluride Conference Center on Mountain Village Boulevard) at 11:05 and 11:20 p.m. for the shows that begin at 8 p.m. and 1:05 and 1:20 a.m. for the shows that begin at 11 p.m. The bus will run from Centrum Bus Stop directly to the Upper Lawson Hill Bus Stop (near the post office) direct with no other stops in between.
“Typically Lawson Hill residents have taken advantage of the camping shuttles Planet Bluegrass runs between Telluride and Lawson Hill, and we wanted to give local residents a safe ride home as they enjoy the return of live music to the area,” said Public Information Officer Kathrine Warren.
