It’s a quiet but hopeful Christmas Eve at Powderhorn Resort. Powderhorn Resort in Colorado, United States is a great destination for beginner and intermediate skiers.
Wind
Humidity
With unseasonably warm overnight temps at 37°F and a snowpack depth of just 9 inches—62% below average—Mother Nature has been slow to deliver this season. The current Snow Water Equivalent sits at 2.4", making for thin base conditions and unfortunately, Powderhorn remains closed. The resort recently announced that opening day is still to be determined. However, skiers and riders can look forward to a potential change in the forecast: 4.4 inches of fresh snow are expected over the next 72 hours, with up to 8 inches by the weekend—possibly enough to kickstart operations if temperatures dip.
Amid the weather delays, Powderhorn is navigating major changes. The resort was recently sold to Utah-based Pacific Group Resorts, sparking plans for innovative slopeside tiny home developments. Despite the delayed season, recent headlines spotlight exciting long-term improvements, including a long-anticipated chairlift replacement. Powderhorn continues to engage the local community, hosting events like “Mavs Take Over the Mountain” with Colorado Mesa University. While the lifts remain quiet today, the mood is one of anticipation; a fresh round of snowfall could turn things around just in time for New Year turns. Stay tuned and keep those skis waxed.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Mesa Lakes.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Powderhorn Resort.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Powderhorn Resort impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
Powderhorn Resort is located in the Grand Mesa region of Colorado and is surrounded by several mountain ranges and prominent peaks. The resort itself sits at the base of the Grand Mesa, which is the largest flat-topped mountain in the world. The Grand Mesa is a popular destination for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports.
Other nearby mountain ranges include the West Elk Mountains to the south, the San Juan Mountains to the southwest, and the Rocky Mountains to the east. These ranges provide stunning views and diverse terrain for outdoor enthusiasts to explore.
Some of the notable peaks in the area include Mount Gunnison, Mount Sneffels, and Mount Wilson. These peaks offer challenging terrain for advanced skiers and snowboarders, as well as opportunities for backcountry skiing and snowboarding.
Overall, Powderhorn Resort offers a unique mountain experience with access to a variety of terrain and stunning mountain vistas.
The resort boasts 1,600 acres of ski terrain with over 40 trails. The best trails are considered to be Lower Dude, a long and winding blue run, and Bill's Run, which is a favorite of the locals. An interesting fact about Powderhorn is that it is one of the oldest ski resorts in Colorado, dating back to 1966. For beginner skiers, the resort has an excellent ski school which offers private and group lessons. As for après ski, the Powderhorn Pub is a popular spot for drinks and food, with a cozy atmosphere and great views of the mountain.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 4 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 4370 per hour |
Base Elevation | 2499 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 1600 Acres |
Established | 1966 |
Run Count | 29 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, a slight chance of rain and snow showers before 3pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers after 4pm. partly sunny, with a high near 38. south wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. chance of precipitation is 20%.
Powderhorn Resort is expected to receive up to 8.63" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Colorado’s southern and central mountains are the standout zones for snowfall over the next five days. The highest forecast totals are at McClure Pass (17"), Schofield Pass (17"), North Lost Trail (15"), Gothic (15"), and Spud Mountain (14"). These areas are close to Crested Butte and Telluride ski resorts, which should see excellent conditions by the weekend. Crested Butte, for ... Read more