Powderhorn Mountain Resort – Mesa, CO | Ski Resort on Grand Mesa

Powderhorn Mountain Resort resides on the side of the largest flat-topped mountain in the world, Grand Mesa. This ski area towers 4,000 feet above the valley floor and is known for its scenic western views and remarkable tree skiing.

Located in Mesa, a tiny town in Western Colorado. The region has a fascinating landscape of cliffs, mesas, canyons, and wide-open valleys. It’s a unique experience that sets Powderhorn apart from other local ski areas.

Terrain

Image of the skiers on the slopes at Powderhorn Resort in Mesa, CO — Skiers on the slopes. Photo: Powderhorn Resort

Powderhorn’s 1600 skiable acres get covered with over 250 inches of light, dry snow each year. On top of that, Powderhorn has a diverse mix of skiable terrain, assuring fun for all levels of skiers/riders. You’ll find easy groomers, steeps, bumps, trees, terrain parks, and more at Powderhorn. The slopes are never crowded at Powderhorn.

Beginners will find the easiest trails near the base lodge. The main lift from the bottom, Take Four, has a mid-way unloading station, so newer skiers won’t have to worry about ending up heading down from the top. Powderhorn has a great ski school and aspiring skiers and riders. The ski programs are available to children as young as 3.

Intermediates will have a blast cruising down blues throughout the mountain. Half the skiable terrain at Powderhorn is intermediate. About 600 acres of the skiable terrain is groomed, assuring good corduroy and smooth runs.

Image of the Flat Top Flyer chairlift at Powderhorn Resort in Mesa, Colorado — Flat Top Flyer. Photo: Powderhorn Resort

Powderhorn has plenty of advanced terrain available for the seasoned rider. Experts will find mostly single black diamonds though, with only one double black, Mudslide. The real draw for experts is glade skiing. You can enter into most of the trees throughout the mountain for deep snow on powder days.

There are three terrain parks full of rails, boxes, table-tops, and jumps, to name a few. Numerous competitions and clinics take place throughout the year. On top of the Grand Mesa is a massive 360,000 acres of public forests, used for year-round recreation. In the winter, people go cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling on some of the best trails in the country.

Village

Powderhorn has a small base village with all the necessities for a day on the slopes. At the base lodge, you’ll find a cafeteria, gift shop, rental shop, and ski school. Powderhorn also has lodging at its base called the Tiny Homes at Powderhorn Mountain Resort. These 6 tiny houses offer slopeside access and can be rented in the summertime too.

Powderhorn is the local resort to Grand Junction, about a forty-minute drive. The closest town to Powderhorn is Mesa, a tiny western town that has all the essentials: a few cafes, gift shops, and a market. It’s located along the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway (Highway 65). The highway connects the towns of Mesa with Cedaredge to the south.

Year-round the highway is open for recreation, with snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and cross country skiing in the winter.