Frequently Asked Questions

Workshop FAQs

Getting Acclimated

Weather

Clothing

Recreation

Other Info


Frequently Asked Questions about Workshops:

What is included in the workshop fee?

  • Meeting space
  • Staff support Monday-Friday from 7:00 am til 5:00 pm (staff is not available in the evenings)
  • Hearty breakfast each morning, including hard boiled eggs, fruit, ham, cheese, pastries, baguettes, bagels and more, Monday - Friday
  • Afternoon cookies or other snacks
  • Coffee, teas, and sodas
  • BBQ on Thursday night, including beer and wine (family members welcomed)
  • Technical equipment (LCD's, overheads)
  • Some tech support
  • Wireless internet
  • A few desktop computers
  • Copy machine & copies
  • Office supplies

What is not included:

  • Dinners
  • Lunch
  • Receptions
  • Lodging costs

Please contact us at nana@telluridescience.org if you have any questions about these arrangements or if you would like us to assist you in finding a place to hold a reception or dinner.

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How can I pay for my workshop and lodging?

TSRC accepts Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Discover, checks, and wire transfers. We also enable you to specify different payment methods for the workshop fee and lodging.

For payment by Check or Wire Transfer, information is below:

Checks
Please make checks payable to:
Telluride Science Research Center

And mail them to:
TSRC
PO Box 2429
Telluride, CO 81435

Wire Transfer – Please note that due to increasing bank fees there is a $50 surcharge for wire transfers. If you selected Wire Transfer as your method of payment when you registered, the $50 fee will be indicated on your receipt.

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Why is your cancellation policy so strict?
Why do I have to pay in advance?

Do you offer refunds if I have to leave early or cancel at the last minute?

As a non-profit educational organization, TSRC has negotiated substantially discounted lodging rates for its participants. We are able to offer these rates only by reserving and paying for blocks of rooms in advance. Consequently, we ask you to register and pay for your room in advance and we do not offer refunds on registration or lodging after our cancellation date. If you must cancel after the cancellation date, we can request a refund from the lodging provider, but they will generally only grant a refund if they are able to re-book the room and may charge a cancellation fee. The workshop fee is never refundable after the cancellation date because TSRC incurs high administration costs in processing registration and lodging reservations, and cancellations require even more administration. Please review your receipt for details on the cancellation date for your workshop. If you indicated when you registered that you would send payment but we have not received it by the date indicated on your receipt, your credit card will be billed.

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How do I know where to go to check in?
What's the local phone number in my condo?
How can I get a copy of my receipt?

Your lodging confirmation and your receipt are combined into one document, which is available on this website for you to review and print -- once the lodging has been confirmed. This document includes the name of your lodging provider, your check-in and check-out dates, confirmation number, room number, the phone number in your room, and a link to check-in instructions, as well as cost of the workshop, the lodging, and the payment status.

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What if my flight is delayed?

If a problem arises with your lodging reservation (i.e. delayed flight, last minute cancellation, etc.) within 48 hours of your arrival date, please contact the lodging provider directly. Contact information can be found in the Check-in Instruction file from your confirmation. Please also contact us at info@telluridescience.org for lodging questions or problems that arise three days or more before your arrival, or call Nana at 970-708-0004. Contacting TSRC is a good way to let your workshop organizer know you are coming, but delayed. 

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Will there be internet and phone access at the meeting venue?

There is wireless high-speed access at the Telluride Intermediate School, the Camel's Garden Hotel meeting space, and the Conference Center.

At the TSRC summer headquarters in the Intermediate school, there are several computers, cell phones, a copy machine and other office support for your convenience.

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Will there be internet access in my condo or hotel room?

High-speed internet access is usually (although often intermittently) available at lodging providers in Telluride. If this is critical for you, you should be sure to request it when you register. Additionally, there are many high-speed wireless hotspots in town, including the TSRC offices, the library, Baked in Telluride, the Steaming Bean, and quite a few coffee shops.

 

Getting Acclimated

What is Telluride's altitude?
Will the altitude affect me?
What can I do to prevent altitude sickness?

The town of Telluride (also known as "To Hell You Ride") is located in a box canyon in the rugged San Juan Mountains in southwest Colorado. The elevation, of the town, is 8,750 ft (2667 m). The town is situated at a local minimum, so there is nowhere to go but up from there. The surrounding mountains reach heights of 12,000 to 14,000 ft (3,700 to 4,300 m). You may notice the effects of the altitude immediately and it may take a couple of days to get acclimated. You may experience shortness of breath, quickened pulse, and light-headedness. You might also experience a touch of nausea or insomnia.

The standard prescription for coping with the altitude is to remain well hydrated and take it easy on the caffeinated and alcoholic beverages. Some have reported that taking aspirin (blood thinner) helps suppress the maladies of altitude sickness, and melatonin beats the insomnia. The local shops also sell cans of 90% oxygen, which reportedly helps ease the discomfort of being at high altitude. If you are feeling really ill or uncomfortable, don't hesitate to call the Telluride Medical Center at 970-728-3848.

Also remember, hats or sunglasses and sunscreen are a necessity any time of year here. BRING A WATER BOTTLE.

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Weather

What's the weather like in the summer in Telluride?
Will it snow while I'm there?

The best way to ascertain the weather in Telluride is to stick your head out the window and that method of forecasting is usually only good for a few minutes. Our box canyon can create an unpredictable microclimate. That said, the "typical" weather pattern in mid-late summer is clear mornings with afternoon thunderstorms and cool, clear evenings. Daytime high temperatures are usually in the upper 60s F to 70s F (upper teens to low 20s C), and nighttime lows usually dip down to the low 40s F (5-10 C). It is almost certain to rain while you're here, very hard at times. It probably won't snow, but you might get pelted by some hail. The good news is that it usually doesn't rain for very long. Bring a raincoat with a hood and a fleece, for hiking. For walking around town, an umbrella might be handy. Carrying a re-fillable water bottle is always recommended. 

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Clothing

What is the dress code?
Since Telluride is in the mountains, how should I pack?

Telluride and our TSRC meetings are informal. Please plan to dress comfortably and casually. For events and dining out in Telluride, dress is extremely casual. For example, a jacket and tie is never required for men.

The best strategy for dealing with the variable weather conditions is to wear layers of clothing, culminating in a rain jacket with a hood or a waterproof hat. If you plan to go hiking, you will need a sturdy pair of hiking shoes/boots, sunglasses, sunscreen, baseball cap, a warm knit hat, and a pair of light gloves might come in handy. Telluride days are significantly warmer than our nights, so carry a light jacket for evenings 

Most of the lodging facilities have a hot tub, so bring a swim suit if you wish to soak (highly recommended after a long hike).

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Recreational Activities

Is there a fun place for participnats to meet on Sunday night before our workshop starts?

Many workshops leaders like to have an informal place to meet on Sunday night for participants who want to gather with their colleagues before the meeting begins. There are a few options that work well for larger groups who want the freedom to drop in at different times as each person arrives, and to pay individual tabs: 1) Allreds Bar, at the top of the gondola, is very lovely. The view from the ridge above town is stunning, and while the restaurant is extremely expensive, the bar is comparable to prices in town; 2) The Sheridan Bar is a perennial TSRC favorite, but food is only sometimes available from the next door restaurant. The Sheridan is fun because it is a well preserved historic bar with pool tables and a Foosball table in the back room; 3) The Last Dollar Saloon (or "The Buck," as the locals call it), is truly the local's choice. This is strictly a drinking establishment, but it's roomy and authentically Telluride. Drinks are reasonably priced and most people in there on a Sunday night will be locals. With smoking banned, and new owners, the place has cleaned up considerably. 

What's fun to do in Telluride?
Will I have time to hike/bike/etc?

The San Juan Mountains around Telluride offer a wide variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, jeep tours, and trout fishing. The workshop schedules usually include ample free time for you to explore the area, if you are so inclined. Be sure to bring appropriate clothing if you plan to play outside. In the summer months, bikes can be rented and in the winter, snowshoes are available. Many workshops plan at least one group hike; check in with your workshop organizer to find out about plans for your specific workshop. 

If I am attending a winter workshop, can I get discounts on lift tickets or ski rentals?

Discounted lift tickets are available on-line through the Telski, and it is best to purchase them before you arrive. Day tickets are the most expensive. 

Telluride Sports has an exclusive rental website for making your reservations to rent ski equipment at a discounted rate. The site is www.rentskis.com/tsrc. On that page you will need to know your rental dates, state (Colorado), resort (Telluride Resort), and your pick-up location (Camels Garden or Coonskin Location). From there, just follow the steps and enter in your individual skier information, and your rental reservations are done.

As a member of a TSRC group, you will receive special discounts at all nine Telluride Sports stores located throughout Telluride and Mountain Village:

30% off all equipment rentals
10% off all accessories
15% off all equipment tunes and repairs

Snowshoe rentals and X-Country rentals are not available online; however we have plenty of snowshoes and Nordic gear available at the Telluride Sports Main Street locations. So, stop by and redeem your discount upon arrival.

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Other Info

What is the web address of the Telluride Visitor's Center?
What else do I need to know about Telluride?

There's a lot to see and do in and around the town. In addition to being a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, Telluride is a magnet for cultural activities. Since the locals traded in their picks and shovels for skis and poles, a wide variety of eating establishments and watering holes catering to clients across the spectrum, from rednecks and hippies, to movie stars, and even scientists, have sprouted up. There are many web sites containing a wealth of information on Telluride, including its fascinating history. The Telluride Visitor's Center website is www.visittelluride.com. Also be sure to check the free local papers for information on all kinds of local events and activities.

Is there anything for my kids to do while I am in my workshop?

Yes! There are two excellent summer programs for kids in Telluride. One is Telluride Academy, the largest and most diverse youth organization in Western Colorado. The Academy has over 100 unique arts and outdoor enrichment programs serving kids from ages 4-18. Programs range from wildflowers to whitewater, with art, original theater, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayacking, science, ecology, mountaineering and more.

There are also lots of kids programs at the Ah Haa School for the Arts. This summer they will offer Art Camp, Clay Camp and Fabulous Fridays for kids' ages 4-12. Kids' camps have both morning and afternoon sessions. Little fingers will stay busy with hands-on, creative playtime with clay and art. Classes begin the week of June 19 and go through August 14.

Is there a babysitting service or day care in Telluride?

Baby Sitting Service:

Annie's Nannies at http://www.annies-nannies.com/
970-728-2991

Day Care Centers:

Mountain Munchkins Day Care
Location: 415 Mountain Village Blvd
Phone: (970) 728-9016

Rainbow Pre-School & Day Care Center
Location: 538 W Colorado Ave
Phone: (970) 728-3820

Rascals Toddler Program
Location: 405 Society Dr.
Phone: (970) 728-3804

Rockies After School Program
Location: 538 Colorado Ave
Phone: (970) 728-6858

 

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Many thanks to Doug Tobias for his contributions to the FAQ page!

 

Telluride Science Research Center

TSRC is dedicated to being an environmentally sustainable organization.

P.O. Box 2429
Telluride, CO 81435
970.708.0004
info@telluridescience.org