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gm
from EastTexas
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Jan 24, 2008 |
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Overall Rating: 3.8   |
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Good value. Crowds not too bad, especially for Christmas week. Terrain not the best, but not bad for variety and good for a 3-day trip. Runs cover all bases; beginner to very advanced. Low prices make it a good value. The people there rate a 5+ for helpfulness and friendliness.
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debbie
from Arvada, CO
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Oct 12, 2007 |
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| Overall Rating: 5.0 |
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Have you seen the season pass deal that monarch is offering for 2007-08? Their season pass is good at 10 different ski areas in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. For less than $300 you get unlimited days at Monarch, 3 days each at Crested Butte, Loveland, Sunlight, Purgatory, Powderhorn, Angel Fire, Pajarito a day at
Silverton and half price skiing at Alta.
The Monarch Mountain season pass has to be the best passin the west.
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J Bina
from Chicago, Il
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Feb 12, 2007 |
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| Overall Rating: 4.6 |
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Thanks you for the free ski passes! We went to Colorado Springs to visit service members from our family and all went skiiing. It was a great smaller location ski resort. We had no trouble finding each other and skiing together. We put the small children in the fun day care/ski school too. The kids were bragging about how they went skiing for their first time! Such a great couple days!
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Madeleine
from Denver
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Apr 11, 2006 |
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| Overall Rating: 5.0 |
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I went down for the final weekend of the season at Monarch and had a great time. Loved the first annual "Boatercross" event (kayaks racing on snow) and had an even better time partying in the lot. The snow was ideal spring conditions and the weather could not have been more perfect.
Note to Colorado Spring and Denver skiers and boarders: this place rocks and it is so easy to get to. As you know, the drive up I-70 is getting worse and worse each year, save yourself the hassle and take 285 down to Salida and Monarch. See you next season for sure!
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Ashley
from Lake Tahoe, California
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Mar 3, 2006 |
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| Overall Rating: 5.0 |
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I have just experienced Monarch for the first time and... IT WAS AMAZING! Not only was I ridding in powder up to my waist, but never once did I stand in a lift line. The staff is enthusiastic and very eager to help. This mountain has got to be the best kept secret in Colorado! I have been to about every resort out there and this tops the cake, by far. If you're into backcountry, check out their cat skiing. I have seen more write-ups for their backcountry adventures in skiing magazines then any resort in N. America. If you're tired of the "commercialized" resorts, go back to the basics with Monarch. Just don't tell too many people, I enjoy the no lines, no traffic, no stuffiness that Monarch embrasses. Enjoy!
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Kendra
from LA
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Dec 5, 2005 |
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| Overall Rating: 5.0 |
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My girlfriends and I flew to Colorado out for some mountain fun and we decided to take one day to ride somewhere different. We typically go to the big name places but this time we wanted to try somewhere that we had not been before and were we ever suprised.
Monarch is the biggest little ski area I have ever been to. The mountain rides very big with excellent terrain all over it. I was shocked at the amazing powder as well as the insanely wide open slopes, I had to be dragged off the mountain by my girls at the end of the day. I just did not want to call it a day, I was ready to ride for another 6 hours.
Being a bunch of girls from LA, we most certainly like to have good time and how suprised were we to find a great little bar right there in the lodge. If you are in need of a libation, the Sidewinder is the perfect place to wet your whistle and grab a bite.
Next trip, the gals and I will for sure be back to this special ski area. See you soon!
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Michel
from Colorado
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Dec 5, 2005 |
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| Overall Rating: 5.0 |
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Just arrived back from an epic weekend at Monarch and this place rocks. If you are tired of the typical Summit County fiasco, head just a little south and try out Monarch. The drive is short from Denver and there are no crowds at all.
The terrain is some of the best in the state, complete with long groomers as well as untouched steeps with everything in between. Get there on a powder day and you will find great, untracked snow all day long.
The service there could not have been better, took no time to get my pass and head off to the slopes. On the mountain, all the employees were friendly and always hit you with a hello or have a great day! Really nice to see the staff enjoying their jobs.
If you are looking for lots of crowded slopes and long lift lines, go somewhere else. Monarch never has any heavy crowds and lift lines are unheard of down there. You probably will find a longer line for hot chocolate in the lodge.
From the lift tickets to the cafeteria, the prices at Monarch are hard to beat. Nothing like the resorts to the north, here you can ski and feed yourself without having to take out a bank loan or sell your kidney. Perfect for those with families or those who want to ride without breaking the bank, Monarch is definitely one of the best values in Colorado.
Another cool thing about Monarch is the weather. The ski area seems to trap the clouds when they are around and suck all the snow out of them while down the mountain in Salida the weather is clear and nice. This makes for a great day of riding as well as hassle free driving and walking when in town. The locals affectionately call it the "Monarch Cloud" and it is a little weather quirk that is unique to this part of Colorado. Who know how it works but does it ever make for a great experience, powder on the slopes with warm sun down in town.
Bottom line, if you like great snow and good times then Monarch is the place for you.
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Jerry
from Minnesota
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Dec 5, 2005 |
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| Overall Rating: 5.0 |
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Wow, what a neat place. Monarch was totally different that what I expected, much larger than I thought. The crowds are virtually non-existent and the snow could not have been better.
I was very happy with the excellent customer service and overall good attitude from the staff. The ski school instructors were great with my children and they could not wait to get back for another lesson.
Overall, a great ski area and we can't wait to come back.
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daniela
from colorado springs co
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Oct 2, 2005 |
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| Overall Rating: 4.6 |
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I have been to many ski resorts in Colorado but enjoy Monarch the most. It is not as big as most others but the ease of getting on the slopes and lack of crowds make up for it. Plus the staff is great, everyone is very friendly.
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Greg
from San Diego, CA
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Sep 19, 2005 |
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| Overall Rating: 5.0 |
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I found a place that is still about the skiing/riding not about real estate and shopping in Colorado. Monarch Mountain is in the middle of the state and is still unspoiled. There is tons of natural snow and no lines. Monarch is smaller than most Colorado resorts but it makes up for it with fantastic terrain; 800 lift served and hikeable acres and another 770 acres of Snowcat accessible terrain atop the Continental Divide. The area is completely hassle free, you drive right up and get on the lifts. Right down the road is the cool town of Salida, CO; lots of hotels good restaurants and friendly bars. Monarch is a nice change of pace from the mega-resorts, you should check it out next visit to Colorado.
