Conditions Report
Report from Thursday, January 23, 2025
Monarch Mountain, Colorado, is set to expand its lift-served terrain acreage by over 50% for the 2025-26 ski season.
The expansion into “No Name Basin” will provide intermediate and advanced trails on the west side of the Continental Divide.
This makes Monarch only the second ski area in the U.S. where you can ski both sides of the divide after Loveland Ski Area in Colorado.
This is an absolutely thrilling project for the independent mountain, which received approval for the project this past summer.
I was so stoked and grateful to be able to get a first look at the new terrain under blue, sunny skies.
No Name Basin will be served by a fixed-grip, three-person chairlift manufactured by Skytrac.
The lift will serve a ~1,000-foot fall line, not quite increasing the area’s vertical statistic but vastly increasing its capacity.
The project also includes plans for a small warming hut and restroom facility at the bottom terminal.
The new zone will be accessible from the front side via the Panorama or Breezeway lift.
We entered the basin through a gate near the existing Shagnasty trail, which will be the location of the new lift’s top terminal.
10 named trails are planned for the new zone, with additional gladed sections as well.
We skied three of these new runs on Thursday, starting on the southernmost, and easiest, groomed run down.
This run will likely be an easy blue and is planned to always be groomed.
Our second run was slightly more difficult but still a beautifully groomed blue trail.
Conditions have been cold and dry in Colorado this week, but some leftover powder could be found in the basin.
Our final run was further north, below the summit of the Mirkwood Basin zone.
The run was still being prepared for its public opening, so we skied the right side and in the trees.
The slope becomes much steeper past what is pictured, and the ride through pockets of powder was very enjoyable.
This trail and the one under the liftline are the only runs expected to be rated as advanced.
Not only does the expansion increase the capacity and wow factor of the mountain, but it will provide a dedicated terrain pod for intermediate skiers and riders.
Monarch has an awesome cat skiing service, and I was impressed by the comfort of the vehicle.
They also, as always, have an incredible staff who provided a great trip for our group.
Staff are visibly passionate about the expansion and will be working extra hard over the next ten months to complete this long-awaited project.
Everyone is stoked about the skiing, but the economic and social implications of this project are also a huge benefit for the mountain and Chaffee County.
Not only will Monarch hire more staff to serve more guests, but more guest traffic will be driven to local businesses.
In an industry landscape of monopolies and unsustainable development, Monarch is truly standing out as a successful independent ski area serving its community and beyond.
With another upcoming week of dry forecasts, I can’t help but think about the incredible season we are in for next year!
- Related: Monarch Mountain, CO Report: Powder, Cliff Hucks, and Flips with a Bunch of Wild Men from New Mexico
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