Monarch
- September 19, 2005
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Thomas Gregory from San Diego, Colorado
I found a place that is still about the skiing/riding, not about real estate and shopping in Colorado. Monarch Mountain is in the middle of the state and is still unspoiled. There is tons of natural snow and no lines. Monarch is smaller than most Colorado resorts, but it makes up for it with fantastic terrain: 800 lift-served and hikeable acres and another 770 acres of Snowcat-accessible terrain atop the Continental Divide. The area is completely hassle-free; you drive right up and get on the lifts. Right down the road is the cool town of Salida, CO, with lots of hotels, good restaurants, and friendly bars. Monarch is a nice change of pace from the mega-resorts; you should check it out next visit west.
From journal Real Colorado