Monarch Ski Area facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monarch Ski Area |
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 Monarch Ski Area
Location in Colorado
Monarch Ski Area
Location in the United States
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| Location | Chaffee County, Colorado, United States |
| Nearest city | Salida, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 38°30′45″N 106°19′57″W / 38.51250°N 106.33250°W |
| Top elevation | 11,960 feet (3,650 m) |
| Base elevation | 10,790 feet (3,290 m) |
| Skiable area | 800 acres (3.2 km2) |
| Runs | 63 total 14% beginner 28% Intermediate 27% Advanced 31% Expert |
| Longest run | 1 mile (1.6 km) |
| Lift system | 5 total (1 quad chair, 4 double chairs |
| Terrain parks | 2 |
| Snowfall | 400 in/year (1016 cm/year) |
| Snowmaking | no |
| Night skiing | no |
| Website | http://www.skimonarch.com |
Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area is a fun ski resort in Colorado, United States. It's about 20 miles (32 km) west of Salida, Colorado, right on U.S. Highway 50. This resort sits high up on Monarch Pass, which is part of the continental divide. This means it's on the line where rivers flow either to the Atlantic or Pacific Ocean!
Monarch Ski Area has 63 ski trails for all skill levels. It also has two special areas called terrain parks, and an exciting expert area known as Mirkwood. If you're looking for a place to stay, the Monarch Mountain Lodge is just 3 miles (5 km) east of the ski area in a town called Garfield, Colorado.
Monarch is usually open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The ski season typically runs from mid-November until early April. Many people think of Monarch as a "locals' mountain" because its lift ticket prices are often lower than other big ski resorts in Colorado.
The ski area gets its name from Monarch Pass and Monarch Mountain. These places were named after a town from the 1800s called Monarch. That old town was later removed to make way for U.S. Route 50.
Contents
Discovering Monarch Mountain
Monarch Ski Area is a great place to learn and have fun on the snow. It's known for its natural snow and friendly atmosphere.
Skiing and Snowboarding Fun
Monarch offers a variety of slopes for everyone. Whether you're just starting out or you're an expert, there's a trail for you.
- Beginner Trails: These are gentle slopes, perfect for learning how to ski or snowboard.
- Intermediate Trails: These trails are a bit steeper and more challenging, great for improving your skills.
- Advanced Trails: These are steeper and might have bumps (moguls) or other challenges.
- Expert Trails: These are the toughest runs, often very steep or with natural obstacles.
The longest run at Monarch is about 1 mile (1.6 km) long, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the ride down!
Lifts and Getting Around
To get up the mountain, Monarch has five ski lifts. There's one quad chairlift, which can carry four people at a time. There are also four double chairs, which carry two people. These lifts help you reach all the different trails and terrain parks.
Snow and Weather
Monarch Ski Area gets a lot of natural snow, about 400 inches (1016 cm) each year! This means you'll often find fresh, powdery snow to ski or snowboard on. Unlike some other resorts, Monarch does not use snowmaking machines. This means all the snow you see is from nature! There is also no night skiing at Monarch.
A Look Back: Monarch's History
Monarch Ski Area first opened its doors in 1939. Back then, it had just one rope tow. This rope tow would pull skiers up a long, steep run called Gunbarrel. When it first started, the rope tow was even powered by a Chevy engine!
Over the years, Monarch has been owned by different groups. Today, it's owned by several separate parties, with no single owner having more than 25%.
Learning to Ski or Snowboard
Monarch has a great Ski School for everyone. In 2007, a special building was built just for the ski school and rental shop.
Lessons for All Ages
The ski school offers lessons for all ages and skill levels. You can learn to ski, snowboard, or even try telemark skiing.
- Skiing: Glide down the mountain on two skis.
- Snowboarding: Ride down on a single board.
- Telemark Skiing: A unique style where your heel lifts off the ski.
Equipment Rentals and More
If you don't have your own gear, don't worry! You can rent all the equipment you need right at Monarch. The rental shop also offers services like tune-ups and waxing for your skis or snowboard. This helps keep your equipment in top shape for the best ride.
Exciting Terrain Parks
Monarch Ski Area has two fun terrain parks where you can practice tricks and jumps.
Never Summer Terrain Park
The run that used to be called Slo-Motion was turned into the K2 terrain park in 2008. Now, it's known as the Never Summer terrain park. This park uses natural features like logs, stumps, and jumps. You can ride through this park even if you don't want to use the features.
Panorama Park
There's also a smaller terrain park located at the bottom of the Panorama double chairlift. This is a great spot for practicing some basic moves.
Images for kids
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Snow rafting on Monarch Mountain
