Conditions Report
Report from Friday, November 22, 2024
Monarch Mountain, located 20 miles west of Salida, Colorado, opened on Friday, November 22. To kick off the season, it has 20 runs, three lifts, and incredible terrain.
Monarch is one of two ski areas in Colorado that relies on 100% natural snowfall and also sees one of the highest average annual snowfall totals in the state at 350 inches. Opening on a sunny Friday morning following over 30 inches of snow this month, Monarch’s opening day offered a great selection of beginner, intermediate, and advanced terrain, including hike-to terrain and an awesome time in the trees on “Tango.”
We hiked to “Gunbarrel” and “Tele Alley” early in the day, and although I enjoyed the runs, the best skiing of the day was definitely in the powder underneath Pioneer on “Tango” and in the bowl. There were fun hits and fresh tracks for most of the morning, a real treat on a beautiful opening day.
Not only does Monarch offer great skiing, but it also offers a great family-friendly and independently fresh scene. I got there early, but the parking lot filled up fast, and people started to head to the single lodge at the mountain base. A DJ played music from the sundeck with a live saxophonist as people lined up to get on the first lifts of the season. There was a good turnout for opening day, and although Monarch’s lifts are not modern high-speed lifts, they dispersed the traffic well and didn’t bother me. Many of the younger families on the mountain skied under the “Tumbelina” lift and on the green runs like “Sidewinder” and “Lower Tango” off of the Pioneer lift. After lapping the Pioneer and Garfield lifts over a dozen times, we went to the Sidewinder Saloon in the lodge to appreciate the character of Monarch. There were quite a few opening day “shotskis” at the bar as we thoroughly enjoyed our “San Luis Mac n’ Cheese.” Delicious, affordable, and good times all around.
This season’s opening day was the first before Thanksgiving since 2020. After wind scouring left the center of the mountain in sub-optimal conditions, Monarch opened the west-facing and southernmost part of the mountain. Monarch Mountain and the Central Mountains of Colorado are forecasted to receive over two feet of snow this week. These early-season storms have provided extraordinary pre-holiday conditions, and large portions of the mountains 800+ acres will be open for Thanksgiving weekend.
Monarch’s unique commitment to relying exclusively on natural snowfall sets it apart from larger resorts. Its pristine environment, combined with the summit’s high elevation of 11,960 feet and base elevation of 10,790 feet, ensures consistent snow quality throughout the season. The resort boasts 800 acres of skiable terrain, including tree skiing and advanced bowls that challenge even seasoned powder hounds.
Monarch’s opening weekend has set a high bar, leaving me eager for what’s to come. I am super stoked to have a season pass for Monarch Mountain this year, and the superb opening-day terrain has made me even more excited for the season ahead.
Weather Forecast
Snow Conditions
