Powderhorn offers downhill mountain biking on singletrack trails that are very different from other bike trails on the Western Slope. Even if you've been here before, trails can change due to wear, weather, or the work of our Slope Maintainance team. Use the pre-ride, re-ride, freeride approach in our Bike Park: familiarize yourself with each trail slowly, and ensure your skills and eqiupment are fit to ride the varying features and terrain. Regardless of your ability, we expect everyone at the Resort to be prepared, be aware, and respect others at all times.

For everyone's safety, hiking on Bike Park Trails is never allowed. Call Patrol to report anyone walking on bike trails while the Park is open. Foot traffic at the Resort is limited to Stagecoach, Bill's Walk, and the Grand Overlook trails. Hikers must stop, look, and yield to bikers at bike trail crossings.

Hiking and biking are both allowed on the West Bench Trail and surrounding Mesa Top trails, located outside the Resort and accessible from the top of the Flat Top Flyer lift.

If you are injured during Summer Operating Hours,

call Patrol at 970-268-5355.

If you are injured outside of Operating Hours,

call 911.

Powderhorn sits on the slope of the Grand Mesa, with an elevation of 9,850 ft at the top of the lifts, and 8,200 ft—or 1 ½ miles above sea level—at the Base Lodge. Those unaccustomed to high altitude can experience nausea, dizziness, and most commonly, shortness of breath. Stay hydrated and take breaks often to avoid over-exertion.

Sudden changes in weather are common on the Mesa. Dress in layers and bring protection from the sun, wind, and rain. Bugspray is highly recommended! Pack extra water, snacks, and other supplies for your bike or hike—you might spend more time than expected on the mountain. Cell service is generally available at the resort, but can be spotty. Make sure to have a plan in case of bad or no reception.

Food and drinks are available to buy at the Base Area, but you may want to bring a packable lunch or snack if you're venturing onto the mountain. If your kit is missing something, the Powderhorn Bike Shop sells shirts, hats, helmets, gloves, glasses, bike shoes, socks, packs, bags, and other gear to outfit you for the day.

The Powderhorn Bike Park has beginner, intermediate, and advanced downhill mountain bike trails that all contain jumps, bermed corners, high-speed segments, and uneven, rocky terrain. Be aware of our safety requirements to ride the Park trails:

Helmets and closed-toe shoes are required for all riders. Full-face helmets are recommended (and available to rent) but not required.

One rider per bike. This includes tandem bikes, trailers, and shotgun seats for kids.

No children under 5. Children ages 5-12 must be accompanied by parent or legal guardian age 19 or older. Children ages 13-15 are strongly recommended to be accompanied. A signed waiver is required for all riders with the purchase of a Pass or Day Ticket.

No bike wheels under 20" can be loaded onto the chairlift.

See below for more information on what you'll want to have for riding our trails.

Enjoyment of this National Forest land is a privilege that requires we all hold each other accountable. To preserve a quality experience for everyone on the mountain, observe the following:

Walk your bike in and around the Base Area to prevent collisions and avoid damage to stairs.

Do not approach, feed, or provoke wildlife. We are guests in their home! Deer, marmot, and fox sightings are common, bear sightings are rare. Give them space and call Patrol if needed.

Do not litter or smoke on the mountain—that's just rude to everybody. Recycling and trash bins are located at the Base and top of the Resort, and smoking is permitted inside your vehicle.

Powderhorn is proud to be home to an authentic and inclusive community. A smile and a fist bump is a great way to avoid issues with your neighbors! If you do have an issue you can't settle, call Patrol for help diffusing the situation.

Downhill mountain biking is a demanding activity, and beyond our basic requirements, Powderhorn has the following recommendations for any bike you'd like to bring to our Bike Park. Having the proper setup will significantly increase your endurance and enjoyment on our trails! Consider the following recommendations for your bike. If you're not certain, come talk to our shop techs for personal advice.

A full suspension mountain bike has shock absorbers or coils on both the front and rear wheels. These allow the wheels to compress and rebound as they roll over rocks and large obstacles, significantly increasing stability, control, and comfort for the rider.

Powderhorn recommends bikes with full front and rear suspension for our trails. You may ride the Bike Park on a "hardtail" bike with a front shock and rigid rear frame, but should do so slowly and with caution.

Bikes with disc brakes have calipers that squeeze down on the brake disc, located in the middle of the wheel. Most modern disc brakes are pneumatically driven and allow you to stop the bike very quickly with the squeeze of just one finger.

Cantilever brakes have rubber pads that squeeze the rim of the bike wheel just inside the tire. These brakes are usually driven by a cable, and require much more force to slow and stop the bike. Powderhorn does not recommend downhill biking with cantilever brakes—the brake pads will fade and your hands will fatigue much faster.

Bike frames come in sizes like Small, Medium, Large, and X-Large, that are similar, but not identical, between manufacturers. Bike wheels come in exact sizes—the most common options for downhill mountain bikes are 27.5" and 29" wheels. Frame and wheel size are ultimately to the preference of the rider, but in general, a rider should be able to sit on the seat of a bike and touch the ground with their toes. Our Bike Shop staff are happy to help you find the correct size!