Monarch MountainMonarch Mountain in Colorado is a powder paradise that gives you tons of affordable skiing and snowboarding terrain with a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere. 
And it’s only a two hour drive from Colorado Springs. Monarch is another one of those gems like Wolf Creek Ski Area. The focus is on the abundant, natural snow (350+ inches) and not on fancy restaurants, boutique shops or real estate. People come here to ski and ride without the prices and crowds of the mega-resorts. The locals know all about it, but out-of-state visitors usually go for the easier-to-reach spots off I-70. If you don’t mind making a detour, you will be pleasantly surprised with what this ski area has to offer—often touted as Real Colorado skiing and riding. There are over 800 ski-able acres with spectacular views at Monarch Mountain, and 1,162 feet of vertical drop. The “low-fi” attitude starts with how easy it is to get from your car to the lifts, and carries on through to the Gunbarrel Grill, where you can get homemade pizza, sandwiches, and fresh soups and salads. Or head up to the Sidewinder Saloon for some locally brewed beer. Not everything is laid-back, however… Mirkwood Basin is a relatively new addition to Monarch’s terrain. A 10-15 minute hike will get you to extreme skiing conditions: open bowls, cliffs, glades, chutes, rocks and trees.
Monarch is also well known for its powder, and snowcat skiing is some of the best in the state. Trips run from $180-$250. Here’s what FREESKIER Magazine had to say about it in their November 2005 issue: "Monarch Powder Cat snowcat services 900 acres, all of which are just outside the Monarch ski area boundary. But Monarch Powder Cats proves the old adage that looks can be deceiving. The terrain is steep, the snow falls in copious amounts and the attitude is laid back, which is why FREESKIER tries to fill one of their snowcats with a bunch of pros every winter for an epic day.” Lodging can be found in nearby Salida and Buena Vista. The closest accommodations can be found at Monarch Mountain Lodge, within very close proximity to the ski area: Lift Tickets: Adult ($54) Teens ($32) Juniors ($20) Senior ($29) Getting there: From Colorado Springs, South on CO 115 for 30 miles to US50. West on US50 for 85 miles. |
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