For a true Colorado independent skiing experience, head south to Monarch Mountain. This is a small, more affordable ski resort located about 20 miles west of the town of Salida.
It can be easy to bypass lesser-known ski destinations in Colorado and head to where most tourists go, to the resorts with big budgets, shopping towns, mega marketing campaigns, and international fame. But consider deviating a bit from the beaten track for a unique experience. Monarch Mountain is located in south-central Colorado just outside of Salida, near US 50 and US 285. It is easily accessible. The drive is less than three hours from Denver and approximately two hours from Colorado Springs. It is located in the San Isabel National Forest along the Continental Divide.
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Monarch Mountain Overview
Monarch opened in the 1930s, with a tow rope pulled by a Chevy engine. Back then, a one-day ticket cost a quarter, and a season pass cost $ 1, and only 64 were sold.
The mountain began to attract more tourism to the region and helped fuel the development of downtown Salida, now a certified creative district. Salida, established in the late 19th century, has a history in mining and agriculture.
Over the years, Monarch Mountain expanded to include backcountry terrain (Mirkwood Basin), conveyor lifts, and Monarch Outpost, the central gathering point for the mountain.
Today, Monarch is not as busy as many of the ski resorts closest to Denver, but it is popular with people who live south of the metro area. It's a nice, informal place with free parking and varied terrain.
Due to its location 12,000 feet above sea level in the Continental Divide, the weather on Monarch Mountain varies and can be unpredictable. (The mountain receives 350 inches of natural snow per year). Also due to your altitude, be sure to drink enough water, get enough sleep, and take precautions to avoid altitude sickness.
Ground
The mountain at a glance has 800 skiable acres made up of 14 green, 17 blue, 23 black, and eight double black runs. Some of his famous runs include Skywalker, following the ridgeline, and Mirkwood Basin, with 130 acres of double black diamond skiing.
Monarch offers terrain for all skill levels: approximately 22 percent beginner, 27 percent intermediate, and 48 percent expert or advanced.
• Advanced: Start in the Picante career. Then head over to the Great Divide Run's Panorama Lift for an added challenge, or try Kanonen (accessible via the Garfield Lift). Mirkwood Basin is extreme and only accessible via a 10-20 minute nature hike (snow is not cleared here). The ladder is also for advanced skiers.
• Intermediate: Take the Breeze Way elevator to the north side and go to Panorama. Other intermediate careers can be found at Pioneer and Garfield.
• Beginner: Beginners will feel right at home on the Thumbelina lift, Caterpillar lift, Snowflake, and Rookie (that's easy to remember).
• Also visit the Monarch terrain parks, which may be more beginner-friendly than some of the other Colorado resorts, but will still challenge advanced athletes. Don't expect long lines here. Just fun. Never Summer Terrain Park is best for people with terrain park experience, while Tilt Terrain Park is best for a novice or intermediate skiers and snowboarders.
Lift tickets
Adult tickets start at $ 89 per day. A child's ticket (ages 7-12) is $ 43. Children under 6 and people over 69 are free.
Food and drink. Monarch Mountain and its surroundings include a historic downtown (in Salida) and several places to eat and have a beer. Here are some highlights.
• Sidewinder Saloon - This is the place to go for local beer and a full menu at a casual (but casual) restaurant. Offerings include burgers (including a burger with grilled peppers and onions, slow-roasted pulled pork, red chili, and pepper-jack cheese), nachos, and bloody Marys. Don't miss the happy hour.
• Java Stop - As the name makes it clear, this is where to go for a cup of coffee. Java Stop serves locally roasted coffee and espresso, in addition to the standard baked goods and light fare you can expect at a quick coffee shop or coffee shop.
• Gunbarrel Cafeteria - This cafeteria has a wide variety of foods, from breakfast sandwiches to Angus burgers and homemade pizzas and soups. This place has breakfast, lunch, snacks, and drinks, including a salad bar.
• Elmo's Bar - Watch the slopes as you sip a bloody Bacon Mary at Elmo's Bar. This joint is a full-service bar open on weekends, peak periods, and popular holidays.
• The Grill at Monarch Mountain Lodge: Looking for dinner? Most of the hillside restaurants cut when the slopes do, but this hotel restaurant has a great dinner menu from 5-9 pm, where you can order burgers, tacos, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, and salads. The Grill also has breakfast (and an inexpensive breakfast buffet).
Rental and equipment. The main place to get gear on Monarch Mountain is the Outer Edge Store. Be sure to reserve your gear at least two days in advance during peak skiing.
Lessons and clinics
Monarch Mountain has a ski school (teaching skiing, snowboarding, and telemarking) for all ages and levels. Here are some of the offers you can sign up for:
• Private lessons.
• The Mini & Me program for children from 3 to 6 years old. Parents also learn helpful coaching tips and techniques.
• Junior Mountain Kids, a class for children from 7 to 12 years old.
• A group class for teens with a certified instructor for children 13 and older.
• A Ski with a Naturalist ski tour on Fridays, where you can learn about the nature and wildlife of the area, as well as the history of the ski resort. It is educational and active, a different kind of guided ski experience.
Ski and snowboard alternatives
Don't feel like skiing or snowboarding? Monarch Mountain has many other activities and events that you can enjoy instead. Here are some:
In winter you can enjoy:
• Snowcat Tours - Take a snowcat to tour the terrain with bowls, slides, and glades galore. Have lunch in a yurt and have a beer when you're done (all included in the tour package).
• Snowshoeing, sledding, tubing, and cross-country skiing down Old Monarch Pass Road.
• Snowmobiling in the countryside as a guided tour or independently, depending on how you want to explore.
• Dog sled rides.
• Kid's Fest and Kayaks on the Snow winter events. The mountain has a variety of community events in the winter.
In the summer you can try:
• Hiking or mountain biking on the trails.
• Whitewater rafting or a relaxing float ride (May through August) on the Arkansas River.
• ATV rides.
• Fishing in the river.
• Golf nearby.
• Exploring the Great Sand Dunes (try the sand sledding) and the Royal Gorge Bridge (with its zip line, sky coaster, and gondola), both take about 90 minutes by car.
• Go shopping and stroll through the streets of downtown Salida.
• Various art, wine, and food festivals, including FIBArk, featuring whitewater competitions, live music, and more.
• Salida Hot Springs, the largest indoor hot spring facility in the United States, with two pools. (Enjoy this in winter too, after a long cold day in the snow.)
• Enjoy the outdoors with animals, such as horseback riding and wildlife viewing.
Accommodation
Because Monarch Mountain isn't as commercialized as many other resorts, there aren't many hotels and lodgings. There are more VRBO style properties, where you can rent a private residence.
Here are some of the area's lodging highlights:
Creekside Chalets - These private, self-contained, pet-friendly chalets are about 10 minutes up the mountain. Each rustic chalet includes a fully equipped kitchen, a porch to relax in, a fireplace to warm up, Wi-Fi, a private hot tub, and of course great views. Because these buildings are freestanding, they are also popular for romantic getaways or honeymoons or simply for travelers who want a little more privacy. The full kitchen makes it easy to refuel with food. No need to find a restaurant or wait in line for a table during peak season.
Monarch Mountain Lodge - This is the only hotel on Monarch Mountain. It offers a free shuttle service to the ski area, less than five miles away. Here, guests enjoy beautiful views, an indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs, a basketball court, a racquetball area, a casual cafe and food market, an on-site restaurant, and even on-site laundry. Traveling with a group? Ask about family rooms that can sleep up to six. The hostel has a variety of different styles and sizes of rooms.
Ski Town Condos - There are vacation rentals located in the historic mining town of Garfield, just three miles from the Monarch Ski Area and steps from the Arkansas River. These condos are located in the San Isabel National Forest and are ideal for groups, as each unit can sleep up to six. If you are traveling with a larger group, you can also rent condo blocks. Amenities at the Ski Town Condos include a fully equipped kitchen, TV, DVD player, wifi, laundry room with washer and dryer, an outdoor hot tub in the gazebo, and warm and cozy duvets on the log beds. These condos have a rustic Colorado mountain feel that many visitors enjoy. Garfield is about 18 miles from Salida.