The lifts stopped running at Powderhorn Mountain Resort after an exceptionally snowy winter season that was packed full of dreamy powder days. However, they won't stop running for long. Powderhorn has been hard at work preparing to open the Downhill Bike Park for the summer season. Powder runs are traded for flowing single track, lift riders trade in skies for mountain bikes, but the hoots, hollers and good times stay the same – just with a little less gear.
During the summer Friday-Sunday, Powderhorn’s high-speed quad whisks bikers from the base to the top of the resort, covering over 1,500 feet in elevation gain in a few minutes. From the top, riders can choose from one of three pristine downhill trails. Ranging in difficulty from beginner to difficult, Powderhorn has the terrain to keep any rider entertained. Plus, Powderhorn is known for its short lift lines, meaning you spend less time waiting for a chair and more time on your bike.
Warm up with smooth flowing downhill on Mutton Buster. This mild trail winds down the mountain, weaving in and out of aspen groves and grassy fields through a series of switchbacks. An ideal trail for those new to downhilling or even younger children, Mutton Buster has no shortage of optional jumps, bumps, and drops to spice things up along the way.
If you’re looking to increase the adrenaline boost, embark on Blue Ribbon or Pinball Alley. These more difficult trails trade out the gentle switchbacks for steep and rocky descents with technical features that will put your suspension, and your nerve, to the test.
Three new trails will be added to the bike park over the 2019 season. New beginner and intermediate trails will offer riders even more twists, turns and drops as they race down the mountain. A separate connector trail will run from the top of Powderhorn Resort before meeting up with the Palisade Plunge, the Grand Mesa's newest biking project. The Plunge will be a 30+ mile downhill trail that runs from the top of the Grand Mesa all the way to the town of Palisade, with a xxxx foot drop in elevation – the only one of its kind in the country.
Don’t have a mountain bike or downhill gear? The rental shop located on the main level of the lodge has everything you need to hit the trail. From downhill bike rentals to full face helmets and pads, they’ve got you covered… literally.
Just because a chairlift takes you to the top of the mountain and all you have to do is ride down hill, don’t think you won’t work up an appetite. Luckily, when you finish a run and decide it’s time for grub, the Powderhorn Pub is 20 feet from the base of the chairlift. Stop in for a cold brew and tasty appetizers like the Sriracha Chicken Wontons or dive into a hearty Alamo Pizza, loaded with chicken, jalapenos, bell peppers, red onions, and house-made spicy ranch pizza sauce. Sit outside on the patio and enjoy panoramic views of the Grand Mesa while you get fueled up and ready for the next rush down the mountain.
Whether you’re only riding for a day, or staying for a few, Powderhorn has options for you. Get a one-day lift ticket from the rental shop for $29 to ride the lift as many times as you can manage. Or, stay the weekend with a multi-day access pass for $59, which covers you Friday-Sunday. Since Grand Junction is only 45minutes away, hosting more than 38 affordable lodging properties, you will have an easy time booking a stay that meets your budget and the amenities you desire – all for much less than what you will pay for any other mountain destination in Colorado. No matter what your summer plans hold, make sure a trip to Grand Junction with Powderhorn’s bike park is on the list!
Discover the winter side of Powderhorn Mountain Resort on page 30 of the Grand Junction Visitor Guide!
