Monarch, CO 03/03/08

After yesterday's whiteout, it went bluebird today. Lots of nice snow in and alongside the woods for me and soft groomers for wifey. While Monarch is lacking in big vertical, it's got plenty of variety, beautiful trees, enough bumps to keep joegm happy, already more than 400 inches of snowfall for the season, and most importantly, no Front Range BS.



Mostly a locals joint for people from Colorado Springs and Pueblo, I'd be more than happy to have it nearby as my home hill. If you're in the area for Crested Butte -- obviously the Big Show in these parts -- and would like to check out a cool non-resort, I'd recommend at least a day at Monarch.








On my first run of the day, I skied up to a patroller and asked how Mirkwood Basin was looking. He said he'd just gotten back from a run there and the 60 mph winds yesterday either scoured areas clean or left the powder there thick like concrete.

Looks like a cool place!! A Wolf-Creek lite, perhaps?

I remember my buddy who went to Colorado College talking about Monarch. I recall his telling me that, on a heavy snow day, they closed the pass after he had arrived - leaving a select few skiers to enjoy a pow day!

Not sure how it compares to WC, but there's enough short-but-sweet terrain to make it worth a visit. It sits right at the top of Monarch Pass so there's plenty of snow. Nice views over the backside too. Bummed that I didn't get to Mirkwood, but I found enough goods to keep me entertained.

I would give Wolf Creek a bit of an edge. More snowfall (like an extra 100" or so per year), a bit more vertical and a few cliff areas if you want that (I do).

But then Wolf Creek is quite a bit father from anywhere/everywhere else so that is a big minus on that count (though keeps the skier #'s down for sure). I could hit Monarch in 3.5, but it's 6hrs to WC from Denver metro... Too many other places I can hit in less time, so rather infrequent visits to WC for me.

Either way, both are good off the beaten path places.

Looks like a cool place!! A Wolf-Creek lite, perhaps?

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We hit both on a road trip to Crested Butte (Arizona Snowbowl also). I'd say Monarch and Wolf Creek are comparable terrain wise, but there was/is often a major difference in snow conditions. Wolf Creek is one of those amazing little microclimates. You dirve for a couple of hours seeing patches of snow here and there, and sudddenly you're looking at 8-foot snowbanks.