Powderhorn Resort - Grand Junction, CO - rich history during a relaxing ski vacation

Forty-five minutes to away from Grand Junction, Colorado is the Powderhorn Resort on the Grand Mesa. There is a wide range of terrain for skiing including boulder fields, glades, bumps and groomers. The climate and terrain at Powerhorn make it a unique Colorado resort. It is located on the side of a rather large flattop mountain instead of in a canyon of the mountain which allows visitors a view of the desert that extends for over twenty miles.

There is dry, powder snow produced by the desert location of Powderhorn's climate. The elevation at the base of the mountain is 8,200 feet, the summit elevation is 9,850 feet and the vertical drop of the mountain is 1650 feet. There is over a thousand acres of skiing area at the Powderhorn Resort. The mountain averages two-hundred and fifty inches of snow annually and has four lifts. There is one quad lift, two double lifts and one surface lift at the facility.

A rope tow was used to start skiing on the Grand Mesa during the 1940's. The Old Powderhorn which was the Mesa Creek Ski Area opened during the 1950's with only one lift. Two miles below the Old Powderhorn the Powderhorn Ski Area was opened during 1966 with a surface lift and a double chair lift. More terrain and an additional double chair lift were both added to the Powderhorn's west side during the 1970's.

A Texas developer purchased the Powderhorn during 1986. A double chair replaced the surface lift and a fixed grip quad replaced the main double chair. The day lodge had a wooden deck added and the facility paved the parking area during 1986 as well. Snowmaking at the facility began the same year. In 1988 the name was changed to Powderhorn Resort and patio united replaced the condominium garages. Development on the subdivision wildwood began when a local entrepreneur bought the resort during 1995.

Dean Skalla and Steve Bailey the current owners of the Powderhorn Resort purchased it during 1998. The day lodge saw the addition of five thousand square feet and there was a sundeck of the same size added in addition to a bridge leading to the lifts. The restaurant and hotel were remodeled and the name was officially changed to Inn at Wildwood and the Wildwood Restaurant. Lot sales of Wildwood subdivision began during 2000 when the construction was completed. Two years later the rooms were made large and renovated.

The Powderhorn Resort had three new gladded runs and two new trails added during 2004 which increased the area for skiing to thirty-five acres. There were six miles of trails for mountain bikes and a golf course added to the property during 2007.

Those wishing to stay at the Inn at Wildwood during their stay at the resort will pay $119 per night which includes two lift tickets at half price. The facility offers a variety of suite sizes and several amenities. There is a large deck, a cafy and bar, dry sauna and continental breakfast for guests of the Powderhorn Resort.