Powderhorn Resort facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Powderhorn Mountain Resort |
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 Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Location in Colorado
Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Location in the United States
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| Location | Mesa County, Colorado, United States |
| Nearest city | Grand Junction, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 39°3′47″N 108°9′20″W / 39.06306°N 108.15556°W |
| Vertical | 1,650 ft |
| Top elevation | 9,850 feet (3,000 m) |
| Base elevation | 8,200 ft |
| Skiable area | 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) |
| Runs | 63 total 20% beginner 50% intermediate 30% advanced/expert |
| Longest run | Tenderfoot/Lower Dude 1.8 miles long (2.9 kilometers) |
| Lift system | 5 total (1 quad chair, 2 double chairs, 1 surface, 1 magic carpet) |
| Terrain parks | 3 |
| Snowfall | 250 in/year |
| Website | http://www.powderhorn.com |
Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a super fun ski and snowboard spot in Colorado. It's about a 45-minute drive east from Grand Junction, Colorado. You'll find it nestled on the side of the amazing Grand Mesa.
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Discover Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a popular place for winter sports. It's known for its great snow and stunning views. The resort sits on the edge of the Grand Mesa, which is the biggest flat-top mountain in the world! This unique location gives you incredible views of the desert below.
Skiing and Snowboarding Fun
Powderhorn is famous for its dry, powdery snow. This kind of snow is often called "champagne powder" because it's so light and fluffy. It's perfect for skiing and snowboarding! The resort has a wide variety of trails for everyone.
Awesome Terrain to Explore
You can find long, smooth runs that are great for cruising. If you're looking for more adventure, there are steeper trails through trees. You can also find cool boulder fields with natural jumps and cliffs to explore. It's a great place to challenge yourself and have a blast.
Resort Facts and Figures
Here are some cool numbers about Powderhorn Mountain Resort. These details help you understand how big and exciting the resort is.
Mountain Heights
- Base Elevation: The bottom of the mountain is 8,200 ft (2,500 m) high.
- Summit Elevation: The very top of the mountain is 9,850 ft (3,000 m) high.
- Vertical Drop: The difference from top to bottom is 1,650 ft (500 m). This is how much you drop when you ski from the summit to the base!
Skiable Area and Trails
Powderhorn has a large area where you can ski and snowboard.
- Skiable Area: There are 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) of trails and open areas.
- Trail Difficulty:
- 20% of the trails are for beginners. These are easy, gentle slopes.
- 50% are for intermediate skiers and riders. These are a bit more challenging.
- 30% are for advanced and expert levels. These are the steepest and most exciting trails!
Weather and Snow
The weather at Powderhorn helps create amazing snow conditions.
- Average Snowfall: The resort gets about 250 inches of snow each year. That's over 20 feet of snow!
- Snowmaking: When needed, they can make snow on 21 acres (85,000 m2) of the mountain. This helps keep the trails covered even if natural snow is low.
Lifts to the Top
Powderhorn has several lifts to take you up the mountain.
- Number of Lifts: There are 4 main lifts.
- 1 Quad chairlift (carries 4 people)
- 2 Double chairlifts (carry 2 people)
- 1 Surface lift (a tow that pulls you up)
History of Powderhorn
Powderhorn Mountain Resort has a long and interesting history. It started small and grew into the resort it is today.
Early Days of Skiing
Skiing on the Grand Mesa began way back in the 1940s. They even had a simple rope tow to pull skiers up the hill. In the 1950s, a place called Mesa Creek Ski Area opened. It had one surface lift.
Powderhorn Opens and Grows
The Powderhorn Ski Area officially opened in 1966. It started with a double chairlift and a surface lift. In the 1970s, they added another double chairlift and more ski trails. This expanded the resort to the west side.
Changes and Upgrades
In 1986, Powderhorn was sold to a new owner. The main double chairlift was replaced with a faster quad chairlift. The old surface lift was also replaced with a double chair. They even paved the parking lots and started making their own snow! The resort's name changed to Powderhorn Resort in 1988.
New Owners and More Fun
Over the years, Powderhorn changed owners a few times. Each new owner brought new ideas and improvements. In 1999, the main lodge got bigger, and a new sundeck was added. The hotel and restaurant were also updated. In 2004, they added two new trails and three new gladed runs (skiing through trees). This made the skiable area even larger!
Summer Adventures Added
Powderhorn isn't just for winter! In 2007, they added six miles of mountain bike trails. They also created an 18-hole disc golf course. This made Powderhorn a fun place to visit all year round.
Recent Improvements
In 2011, new owners bought the resort and invested a lot of money into upgrades. They added more snowmaking machines and improved the lodge rooms. They even built a halfpipe for snowboarders, which was the only one in the area! In 2015, a brand new, faster quad chairlift was built. It was named the Flat Top Flyer. That same year, they added three new mountain biking trails that you could access by lift. In 2019, Powderhorn opened a new outdoor bar called the Umbrella Bar. They also added small "tiny homes" for people to stay in.
