Ore & Sky

Spread across seven levels in Colorado's Mountain Village, this architectural retreat frames the San Juan peaks at every turn – from the alfresco dining terrace to the reading nook and the floor-to-ceiling doors of the main bedroom. Evenings are best spent in the bubbling hot tub, steam rising into cold mountain air with a panorama of snow-dusted summits all around. Inside, the entertainment lounge with pool table, wet bar, and media space gives the whole group somewhere to decompress, while a chef-grade kitchen handles anything from a quick breakfast to a long mountain dinner. The Mountain Village free gondola linking the village to Telluride's historic downtown is a short drive away.

Home truths:
* We recommend hiring a car for ease of getting around. A heated two-car garage is available year-round.
* This home spans seven levels, so you'll be using the stairs a lot – worth bearing in mind if anyone in your group has limited mobility or you're travelling with very young children.
* There's no air conditioning here, but that's the norm in Telluride – the mountain altitude keeps temperatures comfortable for most of the year.