Powderhorn Travel Guide, Colorado

Powderhorn is Western Colorado’s unadulterated wonderful ski resort enjoying a unique location on the edge of the Grand Mesa, where the desert meets the mountain. Grand Junction is only 35 miles away and you’ll find red cliffs, canyon country and vineyards less than an hour away from the snowy slopes.

Powderhorn sits at 4,000 feet above the valley floor and has a base elevation of 8,200 feet and summit elevation of 9,850 feet, the vertical drop is 1,650 feet. The average snowfall is 250 inches.

Powderhorn Ski Resort has the best combination of a stress-free, friendly and personal atmosphere with variety of terrain, plenty of dining and lodging choices for visitors, magnificent views, fresh clean and exhilarating air and unadulterated skiing on white, powdery slopes in a pure, uncrowded environment. Your time will not be wasted waiting in long lift lines and you are sure to be free of the hassle to be found in other resorts. And exactly this fact makes it possible for you to find powder stashes you can enjoy on your own or with your friends.

Powderhorn's reputation as a great place to learn, great place for families, free days and modern base area facilities attracts a great number of visitors every year. Powderhorn is also known for its groomed “corduroy”, challenging bumps and trees to play in and the variety of terrain.

There are 600 total ski able acres: 20% beginner, 50% intermediate, 15% advanced, 14% expert. Most of the black terrain is to be found at the Take Four Quad with a mixture of groomed trails, glades, and mogul runs. All trails are open to snowboarders. Backcountry opportunities abound in the 360,000 acre Grand Mesa National Forest.

There are always those who just want to be in the mountains in winter, relax in their hotels, and enjoy the fresh air outside, but for the ones who enjoy a bit of activity there are plenty of sports activities like skiing which is challenging and rustic, with miles of trails to exhilarate the skier. There’s downhill skiing and cross country skiing with groomed trails available six miles south of Powderhorn on top of the Grand Mesa. Snowmobiling provides a lot of fun and if you get on top of the Grand Mesa you’ll experience incredible valley vista and mountain views.

Powderhorn's Ski and Snowboard School is there to help skiers learn in a fun, safe environment. Children from the ages of 3 to 7 will have a great time at the Children's Learning Center where they can learn but also stay and play provided that they are toilet trained and ready to enjoy spending time away from Mom and Dad. The professional, patient, friendly instructors will meet you and cover some of the basics; putting on your gear, getting up, stopping and cover the skiers’ responsibility code. The instructor will gather the class together and begin the process of turning you into a Skier or Snowboarder.

After you have got your training all you have to do is choose the slopes best suited for you. Lessons are available for more advanced skiers too.

But fun in Powderhorn do not resume to winter sports. You can find other ways to spend your time. In the warmer seasons you can tour Colorado’s Wine Country, only 30 minutes away via limousine or by yourself, enjoy golf courses or mountain biking on the world-renowned Kokopelli Trail.

Everyone can find something for their own taste and you can easily combine a bit of activity with relaxing moments spent at one of our restaurants or on the large day lodge deck soaking up the sun.