Very Good!4.1 / 5Sep 07, 2020
Casey B. advanced skier
Build your Monarch Mountain Ski Trip
Learn more about Monarch Mountain
Pros
- Remote location keep crowds to a minimum
- Incredible views of surrounding mountain ranges
- Affordable lift tickets compared to larger Colorado ski resorts
Cons
- No lodging at base and limited lodging nearby
Monarch Mountain Ski Packages |
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|---|---|---|
| Lodging | Discount | Price |
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Viceroy Snowmass
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34% off | $605 |
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The Crestwood Condominiums
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29% off | $715 |
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The Westin Snowmass Resort
|
23% off | $567 |
View all ski packages for Monarch Mountain |
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Overall
Monarch Mountain, located in South Central Colorado, offers 800 ac of pristine skiing along the Continental Divide in the Sawatch Range within the San Isabel National Forest. Monarch Mountain is a real Colorado ski area, no fancy real estate developments or high-end shopping (in fact no slope side lodging since its national forest), just a history of monarch butterflies migrating from Mexico - hence the name.
Best month to go
Late February to early March.
Being a Southern Colorado Mountain, winter storms might not hit Monarch like they do in the Northern Ranges like the Summit County or Aspen/Snowmass. Monarch’s high elevation helps the mountain retain the snow it receives but the best time to go would be late February to early March, before spring break.
FLY TO
Denver International Airport
DRIVE TO
Monarch Mountain (3.5 hours)
Monarch (3-5 mi)
- Closest area with lodging, less than 10 minutes drive away
- Limited accommodation
- Has some lodges, condos and cabins
Salida (20-25 mi)
- More accommodation options than Monarch
- Approximately 30 minutes drive away
- More dining options than Monarch
For beginners
Beginners will love the variety of runs Monarch provides with most trails sitting below the treeline and protected from the wind. The beginner area near the base is a good place for never-evers to start off. The runs off Pioneer Quad chairlift has some of the best green trails including Sleepy Hollow or hop aboard the Panorama Lift to Skywalker for stunning mountaintop views.
For intermediates
Intermediates will find plenty of blues across the mountain but intermediate-advanced skiers looking to test their skills should try out some of the black runs around. Start off on the more achievable Mirage and Kanonen before taking it to the next level on High Anxiety and JR's, both ungroomed 30-degree slopes!
For experts
Advanced/experts won't find many challenging runs for them inbounds. Examiner and Christmas Tree off the Garfield lift or the steep and mogul filled runs off Panorama lift are best for advanced skiers and riders. Experts, on the other hand, will have to hike their way to the Mirkwood backcountry area for the most challenging terrain here.
Find freshies
Freshies can be easily found, but only for those willing to hike. Inbounds, the best spot to find the best stuff is on Gunbarrel. It's quite a hike from the Pioneer lift which means it sees less traffic so freshies stay untracked for longer. Otherwise over in the Mirkwood backcountry area is where most of the untouched powder can be found.
Ditch the crowds
You won't have the ditch the crowds here because there are none! Monarch has minimal to no lift lines plus the chairlifts are fast! If there are any queues, they'll most likely be on a weekend and on the Breezeway lift and Panorama lift, which serve most of the advanced and expert terrain including the Mirkwood backcountry area.
Non skiers
Besides the uphill trails on the mountain and snowmobile tours nearby, non-skiers won't find much to entertain themselves at Monarch Mountain, considering there is no ski town. There are also no warming huts on the mountain meaning the small base lodge can get crowded with skiers and riders; which isn't very ideal for non-skiers to hang in.
Families
The trails off the Panorama lift and Pioneer lift are generally the most popular among families with plenty of green and blue trails off both. Those looking to ride up the mountain together should take the Panorama lift, it's the only quad in the resort. Monarch's reasonably priced lift tickets also make it a budget-friendly option for families.
Save up to 37% when you book a Monarch Mountain package!
View Monarch Mountain packages
Monarch Mountain Reviews
Casey B. Very Good!4.2 / 5Aug 19, 2020
Russell B. intermediate snowboarder
Fabulous!4.5 / 5Feb 25, 2020
Richard L. advanced skier
Good!3.6 / 5Feb 20, 2020
D. advanced snowboarder
Superb!4.9 / 5Feb 18, 2019
JVJordan V.
Have you ever gone somewhere and thought “wow this place is like a hidden gem”? Well that’s exactly what you get when you visit Monarch Mountain. A hidden gem. For less than $100 and even some days for less than $75 you have access to over 50 runsand two terrain parks. No matter the type of rider you are or the level of experience you have ... Moreadvanced snowboarder
Superb!4.9 / 5Feb 18, 2019
JVJordan V.
Have you ever gone somewhere and thought “wow this place is like a hidden gem”? Well that’s exactly what you get when you visit Monarch Mountain. A hidden gem. For less than $100 and even some days for less than $75 you have access to over 50 runsand two terrain parks. No matter the type of rider you are or the level of experience you have ... Moreadvanced snowboarder
Very Good!4.2 / 5Jan 14, 2019
Jake S. expert skier
Fabulous!4.3 / 5Nov 20, 2018
Kyle K. advanced snowboarder
Fabulous!4.4 / 5Nov 06, 2018
JHJd H.
Great resort. I’ve skied there for about 8 years. I’ve skiied many places but always go back to Monarch. I also have been getting into snowboarding lately and love their rentals and lessons. They’ve got good food too. Salida is a great town. It gets a little busy sometimes and the snow can be a little poor sometimes but overall for the price and... Moreintermediate skier
Very Good!4.2 / 5Nov 24, 2017
CJCollin J.
I have only ridden monarch for two days. The snow was fantastic and there was plenty of steep deep terrain to explore. I will definitely return to ride monarch in the future.... Moreadvanced snowboarder