Powderhorn: the Grand Mesa's Own Ski Resort

Most people drive past the Grand Mesa without realizing there’s a ski area tucked into its north flank. Powderhorn Mountain Resort sits there, about a 45-minute drive east of Grand Junction up Highway 65. It’s a smaller, friendlier kind of mountain, and people who ski it tend to keep coming back for the trees.

That’s the draw here. Powderhorn runs from a base around 8,200 feet up to roughly 9,850 feet, spread across about 1,600 acres, and a good share of that is glade skiing through aspen and pine. Colorado Ski Country notes its tree skiing has earned a reputation as some of the best in the state. The Grand Mesa pulls in around 250 inches of dry snow most winters, and because the crowds skew toward the bigger I-70 resorts, you often get those tree runs nearly to yourself.

When the snow melts, the lift keeps turning for a downhill mountain bike park, so the same slopes work in July.

One honest note: Highway 65 climbs onto the Grand Mesa, and weather up high can turn fast. Check road conditions, carry the right tires, and give yourself time on snowy days.

For lift hours, current conditions, and trail maps, start at the resort’s own pages via Colorado Ski Country USA and Visit Grand Junction.