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Fresh 'Pow' for Powderhorn's Opening Day Celebration

by KREX News Room
by Amanda Brandeis

Story Created: Dec 15, 2012 at 5:59 PM MDT

Story Updated: Dec 15, 2012 at 6:14 PM MDT

MESA COUNTY, Colo. Due to weather conditions, opening day at Powderhorn Mountain Resort was delayed. However, with several inches coming in Friday night, riders said it was well worth the wait. The mountain celebrated its opening day on Saturday.

Riders got their spots in line early, anxious to be the first down the mountain this season.

One rider, Jose Estevez said, "It's opening day! Snow is coming down, it's powder, ready to shred!"

Longtime skier Larry Beckner said, "I don't worry about things I can't control, I just come up and enjoy what we've got. Lot of people up here today, lots of excitement, it's going to be a good year."

The Western Slope resort is special for many.

"I've skied all the mountains in Colorado and many other places, and this is just one of the neatest. You can't beat it," Beckner said.

Daren Cole, general manager of Powderhorn Mountain Resort, said, "I think what really sets Powderhorn apart is it's the small town local's resort. You can come up here, it feels like it's your resort, kind of 'my Powderhorn' if you will."

Officials hope some new changes made this year will make the mountain a favorite for even more riders.

One of the owners of Powderhorn, Tom Gart, said, "We've got a glade that we've opened up, we've added an extra lane to the tubing hill and extended it so hopefully it should be a little bit longer this year."

"We've got some new food and beverage options in the base lodge. We've got two brand new snowcats so we can continue to work on our grooming across the mountain as well within our terrain parks," said Cole.

Gart also said, "First two years our focus has been really connecting with the Grand Junction community and we've really been working hard to make sure we've got great kids programs, working with the race program, we've brought in a new ski school director."

They believe success from last year is a good indicator of what's to come.

"Sales have been up almost 25 percent, and so folks seem to be responding very well," Gart said.

Ryan McConell, who rode the second chair Saturday morning, said, "Phew, I don't know, it's just like adrenaline, a little rush it's fun. It's just like your flying."

"Adrenaline! That's really the only way I know how to describe it!" said Estevez .

Although a little late, the Snow Gods paid Powderhorn a visit this week, kicking the season off to a good start.

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