monarch mountain colorado Archives - Have Sippy Will Travel

Ski Independent, Embrace Family Fun

See what real Colorado skiing and snowboarding is like outside of the resorts and take a trip up to Monarch Mountain.

Whether you are local or traveling in to get your share of winter fun, skiing/snowboarding is a great adventure for all ages and skill levels. There are a lot of things to consider when looking for the perfect destination and Monarch Mountain is a great match for the top items on my list. Plenty of varied levels of ski terrain, natural snow (Monarch receives more than 350” of natural snow each year), one lodge (makes it easy to keep track of all the members of your group), short wait times, affordable prices, and quality food make an ideal mix of family friendly fun.

For the newbie skier like myself there are great class options offered at Monarch’s Ski + Ride School, whether you want to separate or even take a family lesson. Parents might consider sending the little ones off to learn while they get some runs in or brush up on technique with expert help. The covered magic carpet and learning area was great, with plenty of room for classes while still being accessible for independent riders. This section was ideal for those working their way up to the lift.

Your littlest ones even have their own section to get the hang of things. Starting as young as 3 your munchkin can begin to get their ski or board legs under them. Monarch Mountain has group lessons that are kids only, grouped by age and experience or if you are looking to be hands on try the Mini & Me program that introduces children, ages 3-6, to skiing, while the grown up gets tips from an expert. There is also a children’s center with indoor activities to take breaks in.

Once you hit the mountain the action is non-stop. There are long runs at all levels from all over Monarch, but a highlight is getting to the top of the mountain and straddling the continental divide while looking out over the San Isabel National Forest. You can go up and visit the metal Monarch, or Peak Locator for a breathtaking destination. Turn this little butterfly and she will let you know exactly where you stand and the local landmarks you are looking out over. From there coming down the mountain is a choose your own adventure of green, blue, or black to get back to the base.

Since we have a big gap in ski proficiency in my family so having a good mix of advanced and beginner runs was one of the first items I looked for. The breakdown is 22% Green (easiest), 27% Blue (more difficult), 37% Black (most difficult), and 11% Double Black (extreme) at Monarch Mountain. As the most beginner in the group that made me happy. Traveling with a speedster I also wanted to keep everyone on the hill for a while so Monarch’s longest run is 1 mile and the mountain has a vertical drop of 1,162 ft. to keep my thrill seeker occupied. Keep in mind that your base elevation is 10,790 ft. so you might be short of breath if like me you are coming from sea level, but there is nothing like looking out at all of that natural beauty to inspire your soul and body.

For all you dare devils out there that want to go higher, meet the Cat. You can hop in one of these bad boys for a tour or take it up beyond the ski lifts for the really extreme stuff. You could hike up part of that way too into the part of Monarch Mountain known as Mirkwood, but trust me the Cat Skiing is where it is at for views and going outside the beaten path. With a longer Cat Skiing tour you get to eat lunch in an exclusive mountainside yurt and explore 1,635 acres of expert terrain.

When you are ready to eat there are a few options, the Sidewinder Saloon for a sit down meal, the Gunbarrel Cafeteria for grab and go quick eats, and the Java Stop for your caffeine kick. Early morning is great at the Java Stop. They serve Brown Dog Coffee, the freshest locally roasted coffee and espresso for those that are passionate about their morning joe. If a Bloody Mary is on the menu I have to mention the carnivore. It is a spicy meat lovers dream (yes, you do really see a slice of bacon, a piece of steak, and pepperoni in this spicy libation), that is breakfast and a cocktail all in one at Elmo’s Bar, a full service western style watering hole. There are options for all tastes and budgets at Monarch.

Monarch Mountain is a drive in ski and snowboarding destination, but parking is free and there are nearby spots to rest between trips to the slopes. Local towns like Salida, a super cute and fun town to visit when in the area, offer accommodations for your trip and other exciting activities. If you are coming in from Denver it is just under three hours, and about 2.5 hours from Colorado Springs. Picking the right location can go a long way to enhance everyone’s experience so think about what will make your trip. Monarch Mountain is a perfect place for great winter sports without resort fees and commercial mark-ups.