I love skiing the slopes just as much as any local. But I’ll admit it: Summer might be even better than winter for enjoying elevated adventures at Madeline. Not only is playtime on the peaks infinitely more varied in the warmer months—because of the temperate weather, it’s also the best time of year to play above the peaks. As the days get longer, there’s more time than ever to try these adventures. Here are my top five favorite ways to enjoy the “high” life in Telluride. Why don’t you try one (or all five) this summer?

There are two things each new season in Telluride is sure to bring: a change in weather and unparalleled festivals. In my opinion, Telluride's smaller, lesser-known festivals are some of the town’s best-kept secrets. Take, for instance, the quirky Mushroom Festival. Here me out— it’s a celebration of full of cooking demonstrations, guided hikes for mushroom identification, and a parade where attendees get creative with fungal-themed costumes.

Each year, AAA announces all hotels and restaurants across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean that received the Four or Five Diamond Rating during the previous year. What an honor to be among the ranking and to receive our first 4-Diamond rating! Telluride is a town of great history, character and lore. It is where Butch Cassidy robbed his first bank and was the first city lit by Nikola Tesla’s method of alternating current electric power. More recently Telluride has been recognized as one of the best ski destinations in the U.S. and the world.

In my former life, I was the Spa Director at Mukul in Guacalito, Nicaragua, where I crafted a wellness program that specialized in indigenous rituals, crystals, and other local elements. Now, as the Spa Director at Madeline, I use the same natural approach to healing—and I get to incorporate my new favorite wellness ingredient: CBD. Colorado became one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, so it’s only fitting we have CBD, or cannabidiol, a chemical compound found in the cannabis plant, on our spa menu.