Escape from the lift lines this winter and discover Powderhorn Mountain Resort. Just 45 minutes east of Grand Junction, Powderhorn is located on the Grand Mesa, the world's largest flat-top mountain. Don't let that fool you though, the top might be flat, but the pine trees and aspen groves provide some of the best tree skiing in Colorado, and the exhilarating slopes are blanketed in 250 inches of powder.
Skiers stay in nearby Grand Junction which offers 38 affordable hotels and hundreds of vacation homes, both downtown and near I-70, where you can hop on the highway within two minutes of your hotel to get to Powderhorn - just 45 short minutes away with no traffic jams. With all the money you’ll save on lodging (average rate is under $100 in the winter), you can stay a few days longer!
Looking for other snow sports to experience? Grand Junction delivers!
Sledding
While you are at Powderhorn, take a quick trek three miles past the resort to find a parking area on the south side of the road. The Old Mesa Ski Hill, affectionately known by locals as Old Powderhorn, is a common destination for snowshoers and backcountry skiers, but it also happens to be the locals’ favorite sledding hill.
Snowmobiling on the Grand Mesa
Combine high-speed thrills with breathtaking vistas, and you’ve got snowmobiling through 800-square-miles of the Grand Mesa National Forest. An intricate network of snowmobile trails wind around the Grand Mesa, including the 120-mile-long Sunlight to Powderhorn Trail (SP Trail).
Cross-Country Skiing and Snowshoeing
It only takes one trip to realize why this is considered some of the best cross-country ski terrain in the country.
Snowshoers are allowed on any of the cross-country ski trails – just trek alongside the trails. Don’t feel like you’re limited just to the cross-country ski trails, the Grand Mesa provides endless snowshoe opportunities, including Glacier Springs Picnic Area, Mesa Top Trailhead, and Land of Lakes. The views are breathtaking!
Ice Fishing & Ice Skating
The Grand Mesa is bursting with over 300 lakes, allowing for a plethora of fishing year-round! During the winter, many of the lakes freeze over but the Snake River Cutthroat Trout remain hungry and eager to bite. Make sure your fishing license is up to date before you go.
You're free to choose your lake to skate on, but Mack Mesa is a local favorite. Locals help out clearing a portion of the lake for broom hockey and skating.
For more information, check out the “ad free” Official Grand Junction Visitor Guide or request one be mailed to you. This is the Colorado you expect and the warm western hospitality you appreciate! One of the most frequent comments visitors and new residents say about Grand Junction is how friendly and helpful the locals are.
