Monarch Mountain is expanding for the 2025-2026 ski season. The resort will be adding a new chairlift and a warming hut along with 10 to 12 new ski runs that will double the amount of skiable terrain at Monarch Mountain for the upcoming season. The terrain is set to open before Christmas 2025. The expansion aims to spread out the riders across more runs and reduce crowding, and give frequent skiers and snowboarders some new terrain to enjoy.
Located just 30 minutes up Monarch Pass from Salida, Monarch ski resort has served local skiers and snowboarders since 1939. Known for its all natural snow, short lift lines, and laid back vibes, the resort is a favorite among many skiers and riders from around the state. The new expansion is going to be very financially beneficial for this mountain by adding important terrain and more.
There are a few different reasons for this new park being put in. The first being to spread out park skiers and to reduce crowding in the parks. The second main reason for the addition of the park and where it is placed is because the new location of this park gets a little bit more early season snow that can be used to open this park earlier than other parks at Monarch could.
The ‘No Name Basin’ expansion has been in planning stages since the year 2011 as part of a master development plan. Scott Pressly, the Director of Mountain Operations at Monarch Mountain, stated “Ski area operators that function on national first lands are required to put together a master development plan, which is kind of a 10 to 15 year roadmap for projects.” Monarch Mountain’s current terrain is located on San Isabel National Forest land. The new expansion is going to be located on the western side of the Continental Divide and on Gunnison National Forest. The idea for the expansion was officially proposed to the forest service in 2021. Monarch ski area was granted approval to continue on the project in 2024 and construction started shortly after in the summer of 2024.
“I think the major challenge was just being on two forests.” stated Pressly. During the construction of the new lift and trails, Monarch Mountain had to work on both San Isabel National Forest and Gunnison National Forest. This raised a challenge of communicating and dealing with two different forests that own the land. “The cultural resources that are on the ridge up on Monarch pass were definitely challenging,” Pressly explained. During construction for the new expansion, the work crew had to be mindful of Native artifacts and zones. One example of these artifacts are the ancient rocks stacked in wall-like shapes that were a method of Native American hunting.
In addition to the new opening of the No Name Basin, Monarch Mountain is going to open a new terrain park on the front side of the mountain. This park is going to be called Ricochet. This new expansion is a big upgrade for Monarch Mountain and the town of Salida.
With the new terrain parks and the amount of skiable terrain being doubled this new addition will be beneficial for both Monarch Mountain and the community.
