Monarch Pass, CO – Monarch ski area may have gotten Colorado’s deepest snow over the weekend, but that means nothing if you can’t get to it.nWith nearly three feet of snow falling in 48 hours, skiers and snowboarders were chomping at the bit to ride Monarch’s trails on Sunday morning. But in a late night mishap Saturday, a snowcat driver struck a transformer box obscured by the snowfall, knocking out all electrical power to the resort.

Ski area officials first put out the word that the resort would delay opening until 10 a.m. Power was restored by 9:30, and staffers began selling lift tickets before the power went out again. It would thereafter remain out for the day.

Without power, a ski area can’t run lifts, or sell tickets and food. Monarch skiers adverse to hiking left the mountain on Sunday disappointed, and those who purchased lift tickets or rented gear were issued refunds.