Monarch Mountain, a modest ski resort in central Colorado, is gearing up for a significant expansion. The ski area, located near Salida, announced this week that it has received approval from the U.S. Forest Service to extend its terrain into the No Name Basin, adding 377 skiable acres. This expansion will increase the ski area’s size by approximately 50%, enhancing the current 800-acre resort.
The expansion will transform No Name Basin, currently used for backcountry-style cat skiing, into a developed area with cleared trails and gladed terrain designed for intermediate and advanced skiers and snowboarders. Construction is set to begin later this month, focusing on building an access road, extending a powerline, and starting the process of cutting new runs through the forest.
Next summer, Monarch plans to install a 2,700-foot-long three-person lift, along with a restroom and a warming hut, to further support the new terrain.
Monarch Mountain has been planning this expansion for over a decade. The project’s approval follows a comprehensive three-year review by officials from the San Isabel and Gunnison National Forests, assessing the potential environmental impacts of the expansion.
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