Monarch Mountain (ski area): Difference between revisions
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{{Short description|Ski area in Colorado, United States}} |
{{Short description|Ski area in Colorado, United States}} |
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{{Infobox ski area |
{{Infobox ski area |
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| name = Monarch |
| name = Monarch Mountain |
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| logo = Monarch logo.png |
| logo = Monarch logo.png |
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'''Monarch |
'''Monarch Mountain''' is a [[ski resort]] located in the state of [[Colorado]]. It is twenty miles (32 km) west of [[Salida, Colorado]], on [[U.S. Route 50 in Colorado|U.S. Highway 50]]{{Citation needed|date=August 2024}}. |
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The resort is situated on [[Monarch Pass]] at the [[continental divide]]. It has 54 trails, two terrain parks, and an extreme terrain area called Mirkwood. The Monarch Mountain Lodge is located three miles (5 km) east of the ski area in the town of [[Garfield, Colorado]]. |
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Monarch is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. from mid-November to early April. |
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The resort is named after Monarch Pass and the associated Monarch Mountain. Monarch Pass and Monarch Mountain themselves are named after the 19th-century town of Monarch, which was razed by the [[Colorado Department of Transportation|CDOT]] to make way for [[US Route 50]]. |
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<!-- does this hidden text make sense to anyone? I can't figure out what's being attempted here --><!-- No word on what the abandoned ghost town of Monarch was named after, as these Elk were not called "Monarch" until far after the town was gone. Remains of Monarch, the ghost town, can be seen above the current town known as Garfield. -Ken Jessen's Ghost Towns : Colorado Style vol 3) --> |
<!-- does this hidden text make sense to anyone? I can't figure out what's being attempted here --><!-- No word on what the abandoned ghost town of Monarch was named after, as these Elk were not called "Monarch" until far after the town was gone. Remains of Monarch, the ghost town, can be seen above the current town known as Garfield. -Ken Jessen's Ghost Towns : Colorado Style vol 3) --> |
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==History== |
==History== |
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In 1936, a gearbox from an old oil derrick and a Chevy truck engine were brought up Monarch Pass. With this machinery, James Kane along with the Salida Winter Sports Club powered a 500 foot rope-tow up what is now the Gunbarrel ski trail at Monarch Mountain. The cabin that first housed the lift machinery still stands at the base of the run today and the original pulley which the rope ran through still marks the top of the tow. Monarch first opened in 1939, with one rope tow running up the Gunbarrel trail: a steep narrow run with a northern aspect on the south side of the ski area. |
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{{Unreferenced section|date=March 2019}} |
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Monarch first opened in 1939, with one rope tow running up the run named Gunbarrel: a long, steep, heavily-moguled run on the south side of the area. The tow rope was powered by a Chevy engine when it was first opened.{{cn|date=March 2019}} |
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The Gunbarrel trail was originally cut only halfway up the current trail. Skiing pioneers described the challenges of the early days: “We skied Gunbarrel for two years before we ever saw anyone who could turn on skis. The challenge was to make it to the bottom of the hill without falling, or falling into a creek during the early part of the season.” -(Gerald Berry, Salida resident and son of Ray Berry, former owner of Monarch Ski Resort). |
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The run was (and is) an expert trail and because of its steepness, which at the time was skied with very long wooden skis most likely without metal edges and leather boots, was known as “Bloody Ridge” and became one of the most legendary runs in Colorado. |
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During the first inaugural ski season at Monarch during the winter of 1939-40, the Salida Winter Sports Club (SWSC) applied to the U.S. Forest Service for a permit to cut trails, construct a lodge, and build another rope tow called “Snowflake”. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) issued the initial construction grant during the Great Depression for $26,000. The town of Salida officially owned Monarch during the early days, and it was leased to the SWSC for a 10% cut of the profits. Season passes cost just $1, and 64 of them were sold. Additional lift revenue was brought in through the sale of 25-cent day tickets. Total day ticket sales for the 1939-40 ski season netted only $50.00 |
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Monarch has been owned and sold many times and is currently owned by many separate parties, none owning more than 25%.{{cn|date=March 2019}} |
Monarch has been owned and sold many times and is currently owned by many separate parties, none owning more than 25%.{{cn|date=March 2019}} |
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=== Expansion Into No Name Basin === |
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==Ski School== |
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As of July 8, 2024 Monarch Mountain has received approval by the US Forest Service to expand into No Name Basin.<ref>{{Cite web |date=July 8, 2024 |title=Monarch Ski Area Expansion |url=https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/?project=61373 |website=US Forest Service}}</ref> Previously accessed by Monarch’s cat-skiing operation, it will feature 10 cut trails and an additional 75 acres of gladed terrain for skiers and snowboarders to explore. A fixed-grip triple chairlift, rising nearly 1,000 vertical feet, will serve the mostly intermediate and advanced terrain.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Silgalis |first=Alex |date=2024-07-15 |title=Hidden In Plain Sight - Colorado Ski Area Gets Approval To Expand |url=https://localfreshies.com/monarch-mountain-expansion/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=Local Freshies |language=en-US}}</ref> |
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{{Unreferenced|section|date=March 2019}} |
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A [[Sprung building]] was built in 2007 to be the new home for the ski school and rental shop. The ski school offers lessons for all ages and abilities in all three disciplines (ski, snowboard, and telemark). All equipment needed for the three disciplines are available for rental on-site. The rental shop also has tune-ups and waxing.{{cn|date=March 2019}} |
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==Terrain parks== |
==Terrain parks== |
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| ⚫ | The run formerly known as ''Slo-Motion'' was developed into the ''K2 terrain park'' in 2008. It is composed of all-natural features, including logs, stumps, and jumps. The run can be used by anyone, even if they have no intent of using any of the features. It is next known as the ''Never Summer terrain park''. As of 2021, it is now known as Steel City. |
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{{Unsourced|section|date=March 2019}} |
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| ⚫ | The run formerly known as ''Slo-Motion'' was developed into the ''K2 terrain park'' in 2008. It is composed of all-natural features, including logs, stumps, and jumps. The run can be used by anyone, even if they have no intent of using any of the features. It is next known as the ''Never Summer terrain park''. As of 2021 it is now known as Steel City. |
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There is a small park at the base of the panorama double chairlift called Tilt. |
There is a small park at the base of the panorama double chairlift called Tilt. |
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== Snow Cat == |
== Snow Cat == |
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Monarch Cat Skiing offers 1,635 acres of diverse expert terrain featuring wide open bowls, steep chutes, beautiful glades and tree skiing. |
Monarch Cat Skiing offers 1,635 acres of diverse expert terrain featuring wide open bowls, steep chutes, beautiful glades, and tree skiing. |
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==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.skimonarch.com/ |
* [http://www.skimonarch.com/ Monarch Mountain] |
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* [http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/areahistory/monarch.html Monarch's History] |
* [http://www.coloradoskihistory.com/areahistory/monarch.html Monarch's History] |
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Latest revision as of 18:35, 4 October 2024
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| Monarch Mountain | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Monarch Mountain Location in Colorado  Monarch Mountain Monarch Mountain (the United States) | |
| Location | Chaffee County, Colorado, United States |
| Nearest major city | Salida, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38°30′45″N 106°19′57″W / 38.51250°N 106.33250°W |
| Top elevation | 11,960 feet (3,650 m) |
| Base elevation | 10,790 feet (3,290 m) |
| Skiable area | 800 acres (3.2 km2) |
| Trails | 63 total 14% beginner 28% Intermediate 27% Advanced 31% Expert |
| Longest run | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
| Lift system | 5 total (1 quad chair, 4 double chairs |
| Terrain parks | 2 |
| Snowfall | 400 in/year (1016 cm/year) |
| Snowmaking | no |
| Night skiing | no |
| Website | http://www.skimonarch.com |
Monarch Mountain is a ski resort located in the state of Colorado. It is twenty miles (32 km) west of Salida, Colorado, on U.S. Highway 50[citation needed].
The resort is situated on Monarch Pass at the continental divide. It has 54 trails, two terrain parks, and an extreme terrain area called Mirkwood. The Monarch Mountain Lodge is located three miles (5 km) east of the ski area in the town of Garfield, Colorado.
The resort is named after Monarch Pass and the associated Monarch Mountain. Monarch Pass and Monarch Mountain themselves are named after the 19th-century town of Monarch, which was razed by the CDOT to make way for US Route 50.
History
[edit]In 1936, a gearbox from an old oil derrick and a Chevy truck engine were brought up Monarch Pass. With this machinery, James Kane along with the Salida Winter Sports Club powered a 500 foot rope-tow up what is now the Gunbarrel ski trail at Monarch Mountain. The cabin that first housed the lift machinery still stands at the base of the run today and the original pulley which the rope ran through still marks the top of the tow. Monarch first opened in 1939, with one rope tow running up the Gunbarrel trail: a steep narrow run with a northern aspect on the south side of the ski area.
The Gunbarrel trail was originally cut only halfway up the current trail. Skiing pioneers described the challenges of the early days: “We skied Gunbarrel for two years before we ever saw anyone who could turn on skis. The challenge was to make it to the bottom of the hill without falling, or falling into a creek during the early part of the season.” -(Gerald Berry, Salida resident and son of Ray Berry, former owner of Monarch Ski Resort). The run was (and is) an expert trail and because of its steepness, which at the time was skied with very long wooden skis most likely without metal edges and leather boots, was known as “Bloody Ridge” and became one of the most legendary runs in Colorado.
During the first inaugural ski season at Monarch during the winter of 1939-40, the Salida Winter Sports Club (SWSC) applied to the U.S. Forest Service for a permit to cut trails, construct a lodge, and build another rope tow called “Snowflake”. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) issued the initial construction grant during the Great Depression for $26,000. The town of Salida officially owned Monarch during the early days, and it was leased to the SWSC for a 10% cut of the profits. Season passes cost just $1, and 64 of them were sold. Additional lift revenue was brought in through the sale of 25-cent day tickets. Total day ticket sales for the 1939-40 ski season netted only $50.00
Monarch has been owned and sold many times and is currently owned by many separate parties, none owning more than 25%.[citation needed]
Expansion Into No Name Basin
[edit]As of July 8, 2024 Monarch Mountain has received approval by the US Forest Service to expand into No Name Basin.[1] Previously accessed by Monarch’s cat-skiing operation, it will feature 10 cut trails and an additional 75 acres of gladed terrain for skiers and snowboarders to explore. A fixed-grip triple chairlift, rising nearly 1,000 vertical feet, will serve the mostly intermediate and advanced terrain.[2]
Terrain parks
[edit]The run formerly known as Slo-Motion was developed into the K2 terrain park in 2008. It is composed of all-natural features, including logs, stumps, and jumps. The run can be used by anyone, even if they have no intent of using any of the features. It is next known as the Never Summer terrain park. As of 2021, it is now known as Steel City.
There is a small park at the base of the panorama double chairlift called Tilt.
Snow Cat
[edit]Monarch Cat Skiing offers 1,635 acres of diverse expert terrain featuring wide open bowls, steep chutes, beautiful glades, and tree skiing.
References
[edit]- ^ "Monarch Ski Area Expansion". US Forest Service. July 8, 2024.
- ^ Silgalis, Alex (2024-07-15). "Hidden In Plain Sight - Colorado Ski Area Gets Approval To Expand". Local Freshies. Retrieved 2024-10-02.