Historic Mesa Creek, A Pioneer Ski Area
By Elizabeth Ralston

 As you drive over Grand Mesa, you pass the Mesa Creek Ski Area, also known as the old Grand Mesa Ski Area or Ford Run.  This location, about four miles (south on the Byway) above present day Powderhorn, was used for skiing from the 1940s until it closed in 1966.  This wasn’t the first ski area on the mountain, but it was a good transition from the very first ski runs to the modern facilities at Powderhorn.  

Beginning in the early 1930s, “ski fever” hit the Western Slope of Colorado.  Despite the fact there were no designated places to pursue the sport, people organized themselves into ski clubs and went out to find an accessible spot on the mountain to play in the snow.  One such place was about two miles below the Wild Rose Camp-ground on Lands End Road.  By today’s standards it was primitive.  It ran all of 100 yards, in some places was only eight to ten feet wide, and it had no tow rope or lift.  It was abandoned after two seasons because of its southwest exposure.

About this same time, two other ski runs were opened, but both were short lived.

With the demise of the Lands End facility, skiing moved to a location on the north side of Grand Mesa adjacent to Mesa Lakes Resort.  By now the ski club’s membership had grown to 150 members who gave of their own time cutting trees for the quarter-mile long, 100-foot wide run.  It even had a three-sided, open-roofed shelter next to the course where a fire was kept burning to warm the cold skiers.  This area operated from 1938 to 1941, but then was suspended during World War II.

The Mesa Creek Ski Area began to take shape in 1940.  Its location is described as “where the wagon road crossed Mesa Creek.”  It was situated in a relatively narrow gulch with steep slopes extending down from the top of Grand Mesa.  By now, the reorganized ski club had 50 members working to build an active membership of 150.  During WWII, all monies from member fees and War Bonds were ear-marked for future development of the area after the war.

In the late 1940s, the club obtained a permit from the U.S. Forest Service, and the area opened as a non-profit community venture.  An abandoned Civilian Conservation Corps building was moved to the area and served as a “lodge” until the Mesa Creek Area closed after the 1965-66 season.  Mesa Creek first had a short rope tow powered by a Model A Ford motor.  The second season, a longer tow powered by a Buick hearse motor was added.  Motors take gasoline, and the power had to be from the top. It was the members who hauled the fuel to the top!

By 1948, the ski venture was working under great financial difficulties.  They had a $150 debt, a broken ski tow rope, a frozen Buick motor (it had not been drained properly), and a balance of $15 in the bank.  Finally, some of the members went together to sign a note for $1,000 for improvements.  Eventually problems were overcome through sale of member-ships, tow fees, and sale of debentures to various groups and persons, notable the Grand Junction Lions Club.  In the next few years, $65,000 worth of equipment was installed.

In the 1950s, through the efforts of a small group of dedicated skiers, sufficient capital was raised to install a 1,300-foot Poma lift.  A second Poma lift of 2,600 feet was added in 1961.

The skiers were still very much involved in the operation of “their ski area.”  Mesa Creek Ski Area ran on volunteers and about six paid workers.  In the fall, volunteers would go up to cut trees and brush that had grown up during the summer.  They started a ski school in 1952 and a volunteer ski patrol in 1954.

By the 1960’s, the number of skiers were outgrowing the facility.  Inadequate parking, a lack of intermediate terrain, and no satisfactory beginner’s area were just some of the problems.  The total lift capacity was far below what was needed. On recommendation by the Forest Service, who had sponsored a survey of Big Beaver Creek Basin, a new ski area was developed.  This became Powderhorn.

But Mesa Creek’s time isn’t over yet.  Today you’ll find sledders and tubers sliding down the hill!

 
 


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