Where is Powderhorn Resort?

The Powderhorn Ski Resort is located on the Grand Mesa, 40 miles (63km) east of Grand Junction Colorado, a drive that takes about 45 minutes. Powderhorn is a little closer to the town of Palisade (28 miles), and only 5-10 minutes away from the tiny town of Mesa.

Grand Junction is in Western Colorado just off the I-70, only 31 miles from the Utah border and 243 miles west of Denver.

Powderhorn Ski Resort should not be confused with the Big Powderhorn Ski Area in Michigan.

Flights

The Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT) is the closest airport, which is only 5 miles from the Grand Junction city centre. The Grand Junction Airport receives direct flights from Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston.

The Denver International Airport (DIA) is 266 miles east of Grand Junction (4.5 hours drive), whilst the Salt Lake City Airport is 289 miles northwest of Grand Junction.

You can book car rentals at any of the airports, and it’s best to self-drive because unless you’re going to stay on-mountain at Powderhorn the whole time, you’ll need a car to get around.

Driving to Powderhorn from Grand Junction

From Grand Junction head east on the I-70 and take exit 49 onto highway 65. Follow the highway (the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway) for 20 miles as it travels alongside a stream bed through a canyon that is surrounded by cliffs. You fully expect the Coyote and Road Runner to pop out at any moment! Travel through the little town of Mesa and the well signposted Powderhorn is not too much further up on the right.

The drive to Powderhorn is very easy. The road is not steep and it’s fully paved the whole way, including the car park.

One of the great joys of Powderhorn is the ease of parking. All the car parking is free and within easy walking distance of the lifts, and there’s also a drop off area out the front of the day lodge if you want to drop the family and their gear off.

Other Ski Resorts Nearby

There aren’t really any other ski resorts near Powderhorn. Crested Butte is a 3 hour drive to the southeast, whilst Sunlight Mountain Resort near Glenwood Springs is about a 1:45 hour drive to the northeast.