Powderhorn Resort

Skiing

Powderhorn sits on the side of the world's largest flattop mountain, the grand Mesa, allowing for views extending across the desert below. The climate at Powderhorn's high desert location— east of Grand Junction, Colorado and slightly north and east of Colorado National Monument— produces dry, powder snow. Powderhorn has a wide variety of terrain with a few long groomed runs as well as steeper tree runs and boulder fields full of jumps and cliffs.

Statistics

Elevation

• Base Elevation: 8200 ft
• Summit Elevation: 9850 ft
• Vertical Drop: 1650 ft

Area

Skiable area: 1600 acre

• 20% Beginner
• 50% Intermediate
• 30% Advanced

Weather and climate

• Average snowfall: 250 inches
• Snowmaking: 42 acre (when needed)

Lifts

Lifts: 5

• 1 Quad - High Speed Detachable
• 2 Doubles
• 2 Surface

History

In the 1940s, skiing began on top of Grand Mesa with a rope tow, and in the 1950s Mesa Creek Ski Area opened with 1 surface lift. Later, in 1966, Powderhorn Ski Area opened with a double chair and a surface lift two miles (3 km) below Mesa Creek Ski Area. In the 1970s another double chair and more terrain were added to the west side of Powderhorn to form the West End. In 1986, Powderhorn was sold to a Texas developer. After it was sold, the main double chair was replaced with a fixed grip quad and the surface lift was replaced with a double chair. Also in 1986, a wood deck was added to the daylodge and the parking lots were paved. Snowmaking also started in 1986. Two years later in 1988, condominium garages were replaced with patio units and the name was changed from Powderhorn Ski Area to Powderhorn Resort. In 1995, Powderhorn was sold to a local entrepreneur and the development of the Wildwood subdivision was begun. In 1998 Powderhorn was sold to owners, Steve Bailey and Dean Skalla. In 1999, 5000 sqft was added to the daylodge and a 5000 sqft sundeck with a bridge direct to the lifts was added. The hotel/restaurant was renovated and renamed Inn at Wildwood and Wildwood Restaurant. The Wildwood subdivision was completed in 2000 and lot sales began. In 2002 the rooms at the Inn at Wildwood were renovated and enlarged. Two new trails and three new gladed runs were added in 2004 increasing the skiable area by 35 acre. In 2007, six miles (10 km) of mountain bike trails and an 18 hole disc golf course were added.

Bailey announced on June 1, 2011, that Powderhorn would be auctioned on August 4, 2011. Colorado ski resort mogul, Andy Daly, along with partners, Tom and Kent Gart, bought the resort for $1.4 million and immediately invested $800,000 (U.S.) into upgrades, including snowmaking machines, and rooms in the lodge. Daly was the ex-President of Vail Resorts, had had major involvement with Eldora, Copper, and Beaver Creek Resorts and, in 2010, was awarded the National Ski Areas Lifetime Achievement Award .

In June 2015, construction began on a new high-speed quad chairlift system, later named the Flat Top Flyer and other improvements. 2015 also saw the addition of three lift access summer mountain biking trails.

In 2019, Powderhorn opened a new outdoor bar, named the Umbrella bar. The Slopeside inn also expanded their hotel to include a small circle of 6 tiny homes, with more tiny homes to come.

In September 2025, Powderhorn announced plans to replace the West End lift, a fixed-grip two-seater that was installed in 1972. The replacement, a high-speed quad dubbed Wild West Express, is planned to be installed in the summer of 2026, and should be ready to enter service by December 2026.

References

References

1. "Powderhorn Mountain Ski Resort - Mesa, CO".
2. "History of Powderhorn Ski Area".
3. [http://www.timesunion.com/default/article/Powderhorn-CEO-Bailey-looks-forward-to-retirement-1408635.php Unknown]{{Dead link. (February 2022)
4. "Colorado: Powderhorn ski area to be sold at auction « Summit County Citizens Voice".
5. (2 June 2011). "Colorado ski resort being sold at live auction".
6. (14 December 2011). "Colorado's Powderhorn resort opens ski season with new deal, new owners".
7. (6 February 2015). "Powderhorn improvements planned | the Business Times".
8. (24 September 2025). "Long-sought by locals, Powderhorn announces plans to replace 2-seater West End lift".