Monarch Ski Area

Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area is located on U.S. Highway 50. It is twenty miles (32 km) west of Salida, Colorado, on Monarch Pass and 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. Monarch is open daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM from mid-November to early April. One of the most famous runs is at the top of the mountain called Skywalker, which follows the ridgeline. Ten minutes away from the mountain is the Monarch Mountain Hotel.

History

Monarch first opened in 1939 with one rope tow running up the infamous Gunbarrel run, a long, steep, heavily moguled run. The tow rope was powered by a Chevy engine when it was first opened. Monarch has been owned and sold many times and is currently owned by many separate parties, none owning more than 25%.

Ski School

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). You can sign up for group lessons or private(one on one or two on one)lessons. All equipment needed for the three disciplines are available for rent from the rental shop. The rental shop also offers tune ups and waxing.

Ski resort

A ski resort is a resort developed for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports. In Europe a ski resort is a town or village in a ski area – a mountainous area, where there are ski trails and other supporting services such as hotels, restaurants, equipment rentals, and a ski lift system. In North America it is more common for ski areas to exist well away from towns, and the term ski resort is used for a destination resort, often purpose-built and self-contained, where skiing is the main activity.

Types

The ski industry has identified advancing generations of ski resorts:

The term ski station is also used, particularly in Europe, for a skiing facility which is not located in or near a town or village. A ski resort which is also open for summer activities is often referred to as a mountain resort.

Facilities and amenities

Ski areas have marked paths for skiing known as runs, trails or pistes. Ski areas typically have one or more chairlifts for moving skiers rapidly to the top of hills, and to interconnect the various trails. Rope tows can also be used on short slopes (usually beginner hills or bunny slopes). Larger ski areas may use gondolas or aerial trams for transportation across longer distances within the ski area.