Monarch Mountain, CO, Report: Huge Storm Cycle Brings Record Breaking Weekend

Report from January 24-25   ‘

Monarch Mountain, Colorado, scored 15 inches of new snow from this weekend’s storm.

Snow fell into the night Friday and all day Saturday, with conditions continuing to refill until the last chair. 

Saturday was Colorado’s first real powder day of the season, and people came to Monarch from all over the state. 

Lift lines existed, which is rare for an independent mountain, but I felt really lucky to be waiting just 5-10 minutes for the best skiing of the season. 

I got the seventh chair on Garfield, and then lapped Pioneer for almost the entire day Saturday.

Pioneer’s high-capacity allowed for shorter lift lines and more skiing.

It also provided direct access to the two best runs of the day.

Ajax skied incredible and the rocks under the lift were being jumped off all day. 

Curecanti was also a hit, with some of the deepest powder on the mountain.

Saturday was truly special, with a temperature inversion and stoke that created the best ski day of the season so far. 

The mountain had little to no wind and felt warmer than predicted elsewhere. 

Despite the likely record-breaking crowd, Monarch always has a way to disperse the crowd and allow advanced skiers to enjoy solitude on harder runs. 

Fresh tracks were had all day, and friends were made deep in the powder stashes. 

Many people took the trek up to Mirkwood on Saturday, where the deepest snow could be found.

Mirkwood Basin is Monarch’s hike-to expert-only terrain zone. 

Both times I took the trek on Friday, I was the only one up there.

Today, though, everyone knew about the secret stash provided by the short hike.

Many chose to take the Mirkwood Bowl, shown below, but I traversed further to enjoy the steep trees on Staircase.

Sunday was just as good, with clearer skies and lift lines. 

It had snowed through Saturday evening, and cold temperatures kept the powder just as good as the day before. 

With cold temperatures throughout this week, there should be fresh snow to be had at Monarch for days to come. 

Sunday was quieter than the day before.

I was able to take many runs on my half day, and I hiked up to Mirkwood again by myself, like Friday. 

Monarch was also hosting “Backcountry Days” with booths and vendors at the base area. 

It was a great weekend at Monarc,h and awesome things have been happening this month. 

It was announced today that the brand new “No Name Basin” will open on Thursday, January 29th. 

Mild temperatures continue throughout the week, with no new snow in the forecast. 

Check out the conditions report and weather forecast below.

CONDTIONS REPORT

WEATHER FORECAST