Alpine Club brings private on-mountain luxury to Telluride
Southworth will open The Alpine Club, Telluride's first fully private, on-mountain club, in a 26,000-square-foot home at San Sophia Station where the gondola links Telluride and Mountain Village. The project promises four seasons of adventure with curated culinary, wellness, and mountain experiences for members only, and marks a western expansion for the developer. Construction is slated to begin in fall 2025, with an anticipated debut during the 2026, 2027 ski season. Interiors by Pembrooke & Ives are designed to blend sophisticated alpine style with Telluride's down-to-earth character.
Key points
- Why it matters: The Alpine Club introduces Telluride's first fully private, on-mountain members' club.
- Travel impact: Member services include ski valet, concierge, wellness, and dining at mid-mountain San Sophia Station.
- What's next: Construction targets fall 2025, with opening planned for the 2026, 2027 ski season.
- 26,000 square feet of member-only spaces with spa, après lounge, and kids club.
- Part of Southworth's broader investment strategy across its club portfolio.
Snapshot
Situated at 10,540 feet with 360-degree San Juan Mountain views, The Alpine Club will operate as a high-altitude basecamp for year-round adventure and connection. Planned amenities include a spa and wellness center with sauna, steam, cold plunge, and stretch lab, plus an indoor, outdoor après lounge, signature bar, dining room, and chef's table. Members can expect concierge services, ski and parking valet, a kids club, owners' lockers and changing rooms, and a golf, gaming, and multi-sport simulator room that can convert to a cinema. A great room anchors the social spaces. The setting at San Sophia Station puts members directly on the mountain via Telluride's free gondola, which links town and Mountain Village mid-mountain at this stop.
Background
Southworth, a family-owned developer and operator of private clubs and communities, is expanding west with this Telluride project, created in partnership with longtime locals Scott and Lauren Woodward. The club extends Southworth's focus on intentional hospitality and community, aligning with the company's recent, portfolio-wide investments. At The Abaco Club in The Bahamas, Southworth has announced a $350 million transformation with new amenities and real estate, underscoring the brand's strategy to elevate member experiences across destinations. In Telluride, the design team plans aged and patinated metals, weathered woods, and hand-stitched saddle leathers that echo the region's western heritage while maintaining a refined alpine aesthetic.
Latest developments
Construction timeline and design details for The Alpine Club, Telluride
Southworth says construction for The Alpine Club is expected to begin in fall 2025, with a grand opening targeted for the 2026, 2027 ski season. The 26,000-square-foot facility at San Sophia Station will deliver direct mountain access and expansive views, positioning members steps from skiing and summer trails via the mid-mountain gondola hub. Pembrooke & Ives leads interiors, emphasizing warmth and craftsmanship with natural materials and floor-to-ceiling outlooks to the San Juans. Program highlights include spa and wellness, après and signature dining, concierge, ski and parking valet, kids club, private lockers and changing rooms, a simulator and cinema space, and an expansive great room. Southworth frames the club as community-centric, with a robust year-round events calendar from early-morning tracks to après gatherings and wellness retreats.
Analysis
For travelers who split time between mountain towns and private club networks, The Alpine Club formalizes a Telluride option that previously did not exist, a fully private, on-mountain members' club at the gondola's mid-mountain nexus. The address at San Sophia Station is compelling, since it eliminates last-mile friction between town, Mountain Village, and the slopes. Amenities mirror modern private-club expectations, combining spa, dining, family spaces, gear services, and programmatic experiences under one roof. Southworth's operating model, which emphasizes long-term ownership and community rather than build-and-sell, suggests continuity and consistent standards. The opening window during the 2026, 2027 ski season means prospective members should expect a multi-year ramp for membership, programming, and staff culture. The announced $350 million upgrade at The Abaco Club signals capital depth behind the promise. Taken together, Telluride gains a new private anchor that fits its upscale yet unpretentious profile and broadens the town's four-season luxury proposition.
Final thoughts
The Alpine Club, Telluride, blends mid-mountain convenience with a private, program-rich environment designed for families and friends who prioritize community, wellness, and access. With construction expected to start in fall 2025 and an opening targeted for the 2026, 2027 ski season, the project adds a distinctive offering to one of North America's signature alpine destinations. For those already engaged with Southworth's portfolio, this club creates a western counterpart at altitude. For newcomers drawn to Telluride's scenery and culture, it provides a turnkey path into a curated mountain lifestyle centered on The Alpine Club Telluride.