[Editor’s Note: The Gems & Brews Tour was a 2-week ski pilgrimage in Feb. 2013 devoted to sampling some of the best small mountain resorts, fine craft beers, spirits and food across Colorado. The tour was a collaboration between CO Ski Country USA and Exploring Elements, with the idea to give a small taste of what you can expect when exploring these spectacular Colorado Gems. Be sure to check out the full Gems & Brews Tour Powderhorn report with great images from Exploring Elements here.]
Powderhorn sits just outside and high above Grand Junction in the Grand Mesa, a unique and spectacular setting! The views on a clear day from this Gem resort are one of a kind. The terrain at Powderhorn truly has something to offer snow riders of all ability, and offers up that terrain with value priced lift tickets that will keep you coming back for more, time and time again.
The mountain is known for its glade skiing. The volume, diversity of difficulty and quality of which, are second to none. Powderhorn also offers two freestyle terrain parks that are well sorted, featuring quality small jumps and complex creative rails. The many long quality groomers spread across the mountain are also sure to please all snow riders. The resort offers lots of school programs to get kids on the slopes, and encourage the active mountain lifestyle from a young age.
If you get tired or worn out on the slopes, you can always kick back with family and friends in the tubing area or on the bungee trampoline, both of which are sure to put a smile on your face. You can also pony up to the Sunset Bar, in the main lodge, and enjoy a local brew or spirit to relax and unwind with after a day of riding hard. The bar is also a great place to hang out with all the passionate Powderhorn employees and locals at the end of the day, recounting stories about those pow stashes that you discovered all over the mountain. Powderhorn is sure to please in so many ways!
Powderhorn Apres Ski Hot Spots:
Kannah Creek Brewing Company (http://www.kannahcreekbrewingco.com/)
Palisade Brewing Company (http://www.palisadebrewingcompany.com/)
Peach St Distillers (http://www.peachstreetdistillers.com/)
Wine Country Inn (http://www.coloradowinecountryinn.com/)
Best Of Gems & Brews Tour 2013 Awards:
Best Advanced Glades: Powderhorn offers up a huge variety of glade skiing, but the quality Mad Dog Glades just cant be beat for the expert rider.
Best Freestyle Terrain Park: Powderhorn offers up some quality small and mid sized jump features and lots of super creative rail features in its terrain parks.
Most Skiable Acreage: Powderhorn has 1,600 skiable acres of quality terrain for your riding pleasure.
Best Hefeweizen- Kannah Creek Brewing Company Highside Hefeweizen
Best Dark Wheat- Palisade Brewing Company Dirty Hippie
Best Bourbon- Peach St Distillers Colorado Straight Bourbon
Best Vodka- Peach St. Distillers Artisan Goat Vodka
Best Brandy- Peach St. Distillery Pear Brandy
Best Pub Dessert- Kannah Creek Brewing Company Brownie Sundae
