A top-floor penthouse at Element 52 in Telluride, Colorado, has been listed for $8.1 million, offering a combination of ski-in, ski-out access and full residential service that is rare within the town’s limits. The 48-residence building sits along the San Miguel River, and its Southwest Building penthouse, Unit SW402, spans 2,797 square feet across the top two floors. According to listing broker Rick Fusting, the unit “lives like a single-family home on the slopes” despite being located in a full-service hotel.
The property’s location provides direct access to the Telluride Trail via a private funicular, eliminating the need for shuttles or walks to lift lines. The free gondola and Lift 8 are a few blocks away at the Oak Street plaza, connecting residents to Mountain Village and advanced terrain. In summer, the San Miguel River trail leads to Town Park, home to festivals such as Bluegrass and Blues & Brews, while the Telluride Film Festival uses venues throughout town. Main Street’s restaurants, bars, and galleries are within walking distance year-round. This dual-season accessibility distinguishes the address from most ski-town real estate, where slopeside properties often lack summer walkability and walkable ones lack true ski access.
The penthouse itself is designed for privacy and convenience. It shares only five feet of wall with one neighboring unit and no walls with any other unit. The layout includes three bedrooms, a bunk room, three full baths, a half bath, and a kitchen with a gas range. Stone and plaster walls, walnut and stained-concrete floors, and radiant heating reflect the building’s mining-era design. A corner position allows light from two sides, and a deck offers mountain and town views. An elevator runs directly from the residence to the garage, which includes two heated, covered parking spaces, and a snowmelt system keeps outdoor surfaces clear. The home is offered fully furnished with custom selections by the design studio Tweed, allowing immediate occupancy or rental through Auberge’s management program, though the unit has not been rented.
Residents receive extensive services: a year-round front desk, ski valet, concierge for grocery stocking and dinner reservations, and a local car service. On-site amenities include a spa and two heated outdoor soaking pools. The concierge’s reach extends to town, where dining options like 221 South Oak, the Chop House, and delivery from Kazahana and Siam are available. Après-ski at Oak, at the base of Lift 8, is a short walk, and the historic Sheridan Opera House is nearby.
This listing matters because it highlights a rare convergence in Telluride: full-service, ski-in, ski-out living within town limits. Most full-service lodging is in Mountain Village, a gondola ride away, while in-town ski access is limited to a handful of condominium complexes and a small hotel. Element 52 is one of the few places offering both, and this penthouse amplifies that with house-like privacy. For buyers seeking a turnkey mountain home that functions in both winter and summer, the property represents a distinctive option. It also underscores the premium placed on combined access, service, and walkability in competitive resort markets, potentially influencing future development and pricing trends in Telluride and similar destinations.
