Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a popular wedding venue in the Grand Junction area for couples looking for that high elevation, mountain wedding vibe under an hour from town. Because of its unique setting in the high desert area, there is some background information that will make planning a wedding at Powderhorn Ski Resort much easier.
About Powderhorn Mountain Resort Wedding Venue
Powderhorn Mountain Resort is the nearest ski resort to Grand Junction, Colorado. It is located on the side of the Grand Mesa, which is the tallest flattop mountain in the world! For skiing, the property spans 1,600 acres of the mountain, and its base camp sits at an elevation of 8,200 feet. The top of the mountain, if you take the ski lift to the top, sits at 9,850 feet.
The mountain has views off the side of the valley below, with a backdrop that spans miles and miles! You’ll also see plenty of pine trees and aspens decorating the mountain. Because of its elevation, Powderhorn is usually a good 15-20 degrees cooler than the Grand Valley below – a big draw to couples getting married in the summer!
Getting to Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Powderhorn Mountain Resort is a ski resort about at 45 minute drive outside of Grand Junction. By car, you’ll take Interstate 70 to the exit for the Grand Mesa and take the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway up the mountain. It is a windy but easy drive that almost any vehicle should be able to make.
To fly to Powderhorn Mountain Resort from out of state, you would fly into Denver or Salt Lake City and drive by interstate, or you can catch a connecting flight right into Grand Junction.
Grand Junction is also a stop on the Amtrak train line. You can take the train right into the heart of Grand Junction, and rent a car nearby to drive up to Powderhorn.
Basic Info About Powderhorn Mountain Resort’s Wedding Venue
Capacity:
Powderhorn Mountain Resort can host up to 225 guests for your wedding
What’s included:
On-site wedding coordinator
Indoor reception space
Tables & Chairs
Indoor bar
Ceremony Arbor
Getting Ready Locations at Powderhorn
Getting Ready at Powderhorn can take place at a few different sites on the property or nearby. There is a Getting Ready Suite in the main lodge at Powderhorn Mountain Resort, which is a large room and holds many of your wedding party. If you want a separate getting ready space for the other half of the wedding party, there is another space in the building next door, or you can also rent one of the Condos, Hotel Rooms, or Tiny Homes on site for a different vibe.
If you don’t wish to get ready on the mountain, there are vacation rentals in the area, as well as hotels down in Palisade that all make great getting ready spaces. Be sure to factor in the drive time to your timeline schedule if you choose to get ready off-site.
Wedding Ceremony Locations at Powderhorn Mountain Resort
Most couples host their wedding ceremony at Powderhorn Mountain Resort right on the large back deck, with a view of the mountain and aspen trees behind. This is especially stunning in the fall as the aspen leaves turn yellow and orange! The resort provides chairs and an aspen log arbor for your ceremony, taking a lot of headache away as you are planning. The deck is large enough to hold a large wedding celebration, but isn’t so large that a smaller wedding looks funny here. It is super flexible in that way!
Wedding Photo Locations at Powderhorn
There is no shortage of amazing wedding photo locations at Powderhorn. The parking lot offers an overlook view of the valley below, spanning miles and miles. You can also get a great profile of the side of the Grand Mesa in your photos here.
Powderhorn also has a few aspen groves within walking distance, if you’d like photos with trees or up in the grove for shade.
The ski lift at Powderhorn is another favorite wedding photo location for couples getting married here. Take the ski lift up to get photos on the lift itself, and enjoy the views from the top of the lift and a private location for a first look or private vow exchange. The lift tickets are an extra fee, but totally worth the adventure!
Where to Host a Wedding Reception at Powderhorn
The main lodge is the most common wedding reception space at Powderhorn, with a dance floor, room for a buffet line, and a bar. It offers a cozy and quaint vibe with great views outside. The lodge is a nice indoor option in case of rain as well (which is common in afternoons in July/August!)
Best Seasons to Get Married at Powderhorn Mountain Resort
There are two main seasons to get married at Powderhorn Mountain Resort if you want a nice experience. Spring is too early, and is considered Mud Season on the mountain until around May or sometimes even June. Late June-August is a beautiful time to get married with summer vibes (and cooler temperatures than down in the valley!) The highs in the summer are usually in the 70s-80s, and it is usually cool at night.
September and sometimes early October is prime time for fall weddings at Powderhorn. The leaves begin to change mid-September and can last for 2-4 weeks depending on the year. If you want the best chance of having fall colors for your wedding at Powderhorn, the end of September is a great bet. The mountain does host “Color Weekend” every year that last weekend of September, so availability may be affected that weekend.
Winter at Powderhorn is ski season, with snow usually building in December (though it starts snowing as early as October!)
Lodging for Your Powderhorn Mountain Wedding
There are a few options for lodging for your Powderhorn Mountain wedding right on site at the ski resort property. The mountain now offers tiny homes for rent that are a cute option for the couple. There are also a few buildings of condos and townhomes that can be rented out, as well as a small motel style lodging on the hill as well.
Farther out from the property options become more scarce. Up on the Grand Mesa a bit farther are a few lodges with cabins for rent. There are also some vacation rentals scattered around the area, as well as camping.
For more traditional hotel lodging, you’ll be back down in Palisade and Grand Junction at places like the Colorado Wine Country Inn, Hotel Maverick, Tru Hotel, the Doubletree, or more similar hotels.
Getting Married at Powderhorn Mountain Resort is an amazing option for a summer oasis at a higher elevation that offers a ski resort experience without the price tag or popularity of other ski resorts in the state! Click here for more information on booking Powderhorn as your wedding venue.
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