Adventure Passports Resort Challenge 19: Monarch Mountain

Mirkwood Basin: There is just something about the sense of accomplishment after a hike to nearly 12,000 feet. Outstanding terrain and majestic views!

Monarch Mountain

Summit Elevation 11,952 feet
Vertical Drop 1,162 feet
Average Annual Snowfall 350 inches

Date Skied/Logged: March 7, 2006
New Snow: 0
Weather: Warm and sunny
Snow Conditions: PP, Spring

Monarch Mountain Royal Panorama

The 19th leg of the Adventure Passports Resort Challenge took us to Monarch Mountain, where we planned a relaxing journey, amidst spring conditions, to answer the question: why is Monarch Mountain so beloved by its locals?

We began our day on the second oldest run in the state, Gunbarrel. The view it offered embraced both past and future. At the trail’s top we discovered the remains of an old, wooden rope-tow; and in the distance we could see the ridge of the Mirkwood Basin. Opened in March 2005, the expert-only Mirkwood expansion added 1,100 feet of vertical of bowls, chutes, cliffs and trees that used to only be accessible by CAT, or by a long hike.

We worked our way across the mountain, postponing our scheduled hike into the Mirkwood Basin until the snow warmed up. Runs like Turbo, Mirage, and High Anxiety provided wide and un-crowded trails, perfect for graceful carving. Each trail eventually delivers us back to base where we found easy access to lifts pointed in every direction.

Monarch will make you think you’re on a much larger mountain. Panorama lift lived up to both its name and description in the Passport: it literally deposits you on the Continental Divide providing amazing views to the west. We took Slo-Motion as the final warm-up for Mirkwood and the huge turns it provided got our quads prepared for the hike ahead.

Our host had predicted a 10-minute hike into Mirkwood Basin. (We say 20 minutes if you have an extra 10 on you?) The sky was deep blue and the sun was warm. We spied a CAT in the distance and watched as it dropped off a group of skiers, who disappeared into the bowl before the CAT exited. Our hearts began to race. We’d made it to the top and wasted no time dropping into a deliciously steep, open bowl—our kind of terrain; fast and steep, no crowds and well worth the hike.

It was a perfect day to finish with a ride through Monarch’s great terrain park. Monarch has a habit of hosting great events including the: Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge; Freeskier Magazine Big Air Contest; and the Kayaks On Snow Race to celebrate the transition to whitewater season.

That brings us to our research question?why do locals love Monarch so much? Did you know that over 80% of Monarch’s employees return each season? That’s an incredible statistic. In the Monarch Valley, life’s journey follows the journey of water, from whitewater summers to abundant snowy winters. That’s what brings folks here and that’s what keeps them here. What it means to we skiers and riders is that these folks are extremely comfortable and friendly at their home on Monarch, and they will make you feel that way too.

By the Book

• Green—Snowflake: this is a true beginner area near the base lodge. Parents can see how the tots are doing and get great photo ops. Or, as we witnessed, the kids can see how the parents are doing.
• Blue—Slo Motion: this huge run off Breeze Way lift delivers some fun, rolling terrain. When snow is good you can jump into Geno’s Meadow for a taste of some trees.
• Blue—Panorama lift: it feels like the top of the world. Bring your camera!
• Blue/Black—Monarch’s trees: we didn’t time it very well with snow conditions, so we look forward to more of this when we return.

• Black—Mirkwood Basin: We loved the hike and were able to find some decent snow on Orcs. The “extreme” rating is mainly due to the bowl’s steep pitch, but there are cliffs in the area too.

Local Favorites

• Snowboard Friendly, “No worries attitude”
• No crowds = no lift lines
• Mirkwood Basin

Our Favorites

• The Employees: friendly and comfortable, nice people.
• The layout: Monarch Mountain’s trail system is extremely user friendly.

For more information about the Passport to Ski Areas of Colorado, or to purchase your own copy please visit www.adventurepassports.com