Photos by: Visit Grand Junction, @texanscapturingthewest, Visit Grand Junction, @sparkymoir
2 Minute Read
Winter in Grand Junction looks different than the rest of Colorado. Thanks to Grand Junction’s temperate climate, 300+ days of sunshine and easy accessibility, you can enjoy your favorite summer activities while still having access to the world-renowned snow sports that Colorado is known for. When most people think of a Colorado winter, they conjure up images of busy ski towns and high-end resorts, but Grand Junction delivers a refreshing alternative. While Grand Junction still enjoys seasonal snowfall like the rest of the state, providing for a quintessential ski vacation at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, it’s much more affordable so you can justify staying another night or two!
Winter Wonderland
The best part about a Grand Junction winter is that you can go from hiking and biking to enjoying all the Colorado snow sports you expect with just a short 45-minute drive from Grand Junction to the Grand Mesa, the world’s largest flat-top mountain. After taking exit 49 to Highway 65 from Interstate 70 east, the road is an easy drive and is well-maintained during the winter months, with no traffic! There’s an average of 250 inches of snow per year, so the Grand Mesa becomes a true winter playground.
As you ascend to the top of the Grand Mesa, you will pass by Powderhorn Mountain Resort, which offers affordable, pristine skiing and snowboarding - all without the crowds. Combine that with three professionally groomed cross-country ski areas, dozens of easily accessible lakes to ice fish on or glide across on skates, miles of snowshoe trails and plenty of space to snowmobile. The Grand Mesa is the perfect place to get your Colorado winter fix and dogs are welcome!
Hiking & Biking
While Grand Junction is known for its excellent hiking and biking opportunities during the summer months, winter is one of the best times of the year to get out and explore the area because of the cool and comfortable weather. Slip on your sneakers and wander through Colorado National Monument’s 43 miles of dry trails framed by towering red-rock walls and spires jutting up to the sky. For an easy and rewarding hike, check out Canyon Rim Trail. This beginner-level trek offers scenic vistas of the canyon and is perfect for the kiddos. If you’re up for a little more of a challenge, the moderate Devil’s Kitchen trail was named after the rock formation where tall boulders have converged together, creating a small grotto that is perfect for a snacking spot – after all, it is called Devil’s Kitchen!
For your two-wheeled winter adventure, the Lunch Loops Trail System is a local favorite as residents leave Downtown on their lunch break for a quick spin. The Big Sister Loop is an excellent trail for intermediate mountain bike riders who are looking for some technical sections to add variety to their ride. For those looking for an adrenaline-packed adventure, check out the North Fruita Desert trails, only 35 minutes from Grand Junction. Chutes & Ladders is a strenuous 5.1 miles with climbs and descents true to its name.
Discover hiking and biking trails to explore this winter.
Find more snow season must-dos and experience a different side of Colorado with these Grand Junction winter adventures and page 30 of the Official Grand Junction Visitor Guide.