Monarch Ski Resort Review

Monarch Ski Resort is located twenty miles west of Salida, in south central Colorado. The Monarch Lodge itself is in the town of Garfield, three miles east of the slopes. The resort operates within the San Isabel National Forest.

There are 63 runs at Monarch Mountain, 14% beginner, 28% intermediate, 27% advanced and 31% expert. The longest one is 1 mile. The lift system consist of 1 quad chair and 4 double chairs. The skiable acres are 800 with a vertical drop of 1,162 feet.

If you want extreme, and don't mind a short hike, head for Mirkwood Basin. Awaiting you are steep expert chutes and glades and rock cliffs. This is 130 acres of double black diamond skiing.

If that's not enough expert skiing then you need to get on the snowcat. They take you to another 1,000 plus acres of cliffs, steeps, trees and bowls. They usually get in 10 - 12 runs a day. This is some of the best snowcat skiing in Colorado. They only take out 12 people a day, so reserve your spot as early as possible.

Spectacular Day at Monarch Ski Resort in Colorado.
Thanks to Zach Dischner for the picture at flickr.com

Snowboarders at Monarch will feel at home in the three terrain parks with plenty of hips, fun boxes, huge hits and rails. In Tilt Park is for beginners and intermediates with two 12' rails, a 12' box and a 5' tabletop jump. In Aftershock Park is more for the intermediate and advanced riders with more difficult features. In K2 is a park with all natural features and multiple quarterpipe walls and rollers.

Eating at the resort is limited to the Gungarrel Grill, the Sidewinder Saloon and Starbucks. The Monarch Sport Shop has everything a skier could ever need, everything you may have forgot plus the latest in new ski fashions. The rental shop has a full selection of beginner and high performance skis and boards.

Lessons are available at Monarch Mountain in groups or with a private instructor. The Child Care Program has a nice package for kids 3-6. They offer food, lessons, rentals, games and naptime, all under one roof.

Snow rafting on Monarch Mountain.
Thanks to abkfenris for the picture at flickr.com

Most of the lodging options for the resort are in the town of Salida. Here you will find the Salida Super 8, All Time Inn, Aspen Leaf Lodge, Circle R Motel, Gateway Inn and Suites, Great Western Colorado Lodge, Holiday Express, Mountain Motel, Silver Ridge Lodge and Simple Lodge and Hostel. There are more choices in Salida as well as in Buena Vista, Canon City and Poncha Springs.

Within sixty miles of Monarch Ski Resort are these ski resorts, Buttermilk, Snowmass, Aspen Highlands, Aspen/Snowmass, Ski Cooper and Crested Butte.

There are many things to do while you are in this part of Colorado. Not far from the ski area you can visit places like Rocky Mountain Mini Golf, Super Bowl Lanes, Storyville Cinema, Salida Steam Plant and Salida Skate Park.

The season at Monarch is mid November to early April. The hours are 9 am to 4 pm daily. Their address is 22720 W. Highway 50, Monarch, Colorado 81227. Their number is 888-996-7669 or 719-530-5000.

Monarch Ski Resort Map & Directions (click on "Marker" for your personalized directions)