Powderhorn Resort
Encyclopedia
Powderhorn Resort is located 45 minutes east of Grand Junction, Colorado
on the Grand Mesa
. The area has a variety of ski terrain such as groomers, bumps, glades, and boulder fields. Powderhorn is unique among Colorado ski resorts because of its terrain and climate. Powderhorn sits on the side of one of the world's largest flattop mountains, or mesas, rather than in a mountain canyon as many ski areas do, which allows for views extending more than 20 miles (32.2 km) across the desert below. The climate at Powderhorn's high desert location—southeast of Salt Lake City and slightly north and east of Colorado National Monument
-- produces dry, powder snow. The Rocky Mountain News said,"Powderhorn makes up for a lack of vertical with two quality terrain parks," and noted Powderhorn's "Old West feel" and focus on "families, beginner and intermediate skiers." Powderhorn has a wide variety of terrain with a few long groomed runs as well as steeper tree runs and boulder fields full of jumps and cliffs.
In 1998 Powderhorn was sold to its current owners, Steve Bailey and Dean Skalla. In 1999, 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) was added to the daylodge and a 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) sundeck with a bridge direct to the lifts was added. The hotel/restaurant was renovated and renamed Inn at Wildwood and Wildwood Restaurant. The Wildwood subdivision was completed in 2000 and lot sales began. In 2002 the rooms at the Inn at Wildwood were renovated and enlarged. Two new trails and three new gladed runs were added in 2004 increasing the skiable area by 35 acres (141,640.1 m²). In 2007, six miles (10 km) of mountain bike trails and an 18 hole disc golf course were added.
Bailey announced on June 1, 2011, that Powderhorn would be auctioned on August 4, 2011.
39°3′47"N 108°9′20"W
Grand Junction, Colorado
The City of Grand Junction is the largest city in western Colorado. It is a city with a council–manager government form that is the county seat and the most populous city of Mesa County, Colorado, United States. Grand Junction is situated west-southwest of the Colorado State Capitol in Denver. As...
on the Grand Mesa
Grand Mesa
The Grand Mesa is a large mesa in western Colorado in the United States. It has an area of about and stretches for about east of Grand Junction between the Colorado River and the Gunnison River, its tributary to the south. The north side of the mesa is drained largely by Plateau Creek, a...
. The area has a variety of ski terrain such as groomers, bumps, glades, and boulder fields. Powderhorn is unique among Colorado ski resorts because of its terrain and climate. Powderhorn sits on the side of one of the world's largest flattop mountains, or mesas, rather than in a mountain canyon as many ski areas do, which allows for views extending more than 20 miles (32.2 km) across the desert below. The climate at Powderhorn's high desert location—southeast of Salt Lake City and slightly north and east of Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument
- Trails :The Monument contains many hiking trails, with lengths and difficulties to suit all tastes. Summer storms can cause flash floods as well as dangerous trail conditions. Rattlesnakes are found on the Monument, and rough terrain exists everywhere, but most trails are well-maintained...
-- produces dry, powder snow. The Rocky Mountain News said,"Powderhorn makes up for a lack of vertical with two quality terrain parks," and noted Powderhorn's "Old West feel" and focus on "families, beginner and intermediate skiers." Powderhorn has a wide variety of terrain with a few long groomed runs as well as steeper tree runs and boulder fields full of jumps and cliffs.
Elevation
- Base Elevation: 8200 ft (2,499.4 m)
- Summit Elevation: 9850 ft (3,002.3 m)
- Vertical Drop: 1650 ft (502.9 m)
Area
Skiable area: 1600 acres (6.5 km²)- 20% Beginner
- 50% Intermediate
- 15% Advanced
- 15% Expert
Weather and climate
- Average snowfall: 250 inches
- Snowmaking: 21 acres (84,984.1 m²) (when needed)
History
In the 1940s skiing began on top of Grand Mesa with a rope tow and in the 1950s Mesa Creek Ski Area (Old Powderhorn) opened with 1 surface lift. Later, in 1966, Powderhorn Ski Area opened with a double chair and a surface lift two miles (3 km) below Old Powderhorn. In the 1970s another double chair and more terrain were added to the west side of Powderhorn to form the West End. In 1986, Powderhorn was sold to a Texas developer. After it was sold, the main double chair was replaced with a fixed grip quad and the surface lift was replaced with a double chair. Also in 1986, a wood deck was added to the daylodge and the parking lots were paved. Snowmaking also started in 1986. Two years later in 1988, condominium garages were replaced with patio units and the name was changed from Powderhorn Ski Area to Powderhorn Resort. In 1995, Powderhorn was sold to a local entrepreneur and the development of the Wildwood subdivision was begun.In 1998 Powderhorn was sold to its current owners, Steve Bailey and Dean Skalla. In 1999, 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) was added to the daylodge and a 5000 square feet (464.5 m²) sundeck with a bridge direct to the lifts was added. The hotel/restaurant was renovated and renamed Inn at Wildwood and Wildwood Restaurant. The Wildwood subdivision was completed in 2000 and lot sales began. In 2002 the rooms at the Inn at Wildwood were renovated and enlarged. Two new trails and three new gladed runs were added in 2004 increasing the skiable area by 35 acres (141,640.1 m²). In 2007, six miles (10 km) of mountain bike trails and an 18 hole disc golf course were added.
Bailey announced on June 1, 2011, that Powderhorn would be auctioned on August 4, 2011.
External links
39°3′47"N 108°9′20"W