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A snowboarder throws a powder slash in Monarch Cat Skiing terrain.
Explore / Monarch Mountain / Travel & Lodging

MONARCH MOUNTAIN

📍Salida, Colorado, USA

💎 Hidden Gem👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Cruiser❄️ Powder Haven🤙 Local's FavoriteIndependent☀️ Year-round destination

Photo: Grayskullduggery · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Photo details

⬇️
Vertical drop
1,225 ft
🗻
Skiable terrain
1,146 acres
❄️
Avg snowfall
350 in
🚡
Lifts
9
Hotels & direct contacts ↓

GETTING THERE

Nearest Airports

✈️
GUC
Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional
About 0.5–1.5 hours
drive time
✈️
COS
Colorado Springs Airport
About 2–3 hours
drive time
✈️
DEN
Denver International
About 3–4 hours
drive time

Approximate planning ranges; allow extra time for traffic and winter conditions.

Approach on US 50 near the top of Monarch Pass, west of Salida. Check Colorado road conditions and closures before leaving town. Staying at Monarch Mountain Lodge or in Salida still requires a trip to the ski area.

WHERE TO STAY

Use these picks to compare location, atmosphere and the kind of stay you want. Ask for a total quote for your dates and room, including fees and cancellation terms.

premium

High-quality stays with great features

Premium$$$ · earlier budget guide

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort

resort · Nathrop, a separate road trip to Monarch

Choose this base if the hot springs are part of the trip. Compare a lodge room with a cabin, allow time for the mountain drive, and request an eligible dog-friendly unit if needed.

hot springs tripscabin stayscouples
♨️Hot springs soaking pools🏊Hot springs pools💆Spa🐕Dogs in select rooms or cabins
Sources & planning details

Checked: mountain access, recommendation details, booking link, Hot springs soaking pools, Hot springs pools, spa, Dogs in select rooms or cabins.

Without current field-level confirmation: identity, property type, price guide.

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Contact sources cover contact details, independently of room amenities.

View hotel / booking page

mid-range

Quality stays at reasonable prices

Mid-range$$ · earlier budget guide

Monarch Mountain Lodge

lodge · On US 50, a drive or hotel shuttle to the ski area

Choose the lodge to stay near the mountain. Ask when the ski shuttle runs for your dates and where to meet it for the return trip.

ski shuttle accessfamiliespool and hot tubs
♨️Outdoor hot tubs🏊Indoor pool🐕Selected rooms only🚐Ski-area shuttle, check schedule
Features to ask about

Earlier listings mention Ask about ski storage. Current availability at this property or in your room is not confirmed.

Sources & planning details

Checked: mountain access, recommendation details, booking link, Outdoor hot tubs, Indoor pool, Selected rooms only, Ski-area shuttle, check schedule.

Without current field-level confirmation: identity, property type, price guide, Ask about ski storage.

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Contact sources cover contact details, independently of room amenities.

View hotel / booking page
Mid-range$$ · earlier budget guide

Salida Inn & Monarch Suites

hotel · On US 50 in Salida, a drive to Monarch

Compare the two-bedroom cottage with a regular room if your group wants living space. The highway location works well for drivers heading west to the ski area.

driversfamiliescottage stays
♨️Outdoor hot tub🏊Seasonal outdoor pool
Features to ask about

Earlier listings mention Ask about pet-friendly rooms, Ask about ski storage. Current availability at this property or in your room is not confirmed.

Sources & planning details

Checked: mountain access, recommendation details, booking link, Outdoor hot tub, Seasonal outdoor pool.

Without current field-level confirmation: identity, property type, price guide, Ask about pet-friendly rooms, Ask about ski storage.

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Contact sources cover contact details, independently of room amenities.

View hotel / booking page
Mid-range$$ · earlier budget guide

Ski Town Condos

condo · Garfield, a drive along US 50 to Monarch

A kitchen and laundry are practical for a family ski week. Reserve a single condo or ask about renting more than one for a group.

familiesgroupsself-catering
🍳Full condo kitchen♨️Shared outdoor hot tub
Sources & planning details

Checked: mountain access, recommendation details, booking link, Full condo kitchen, Shared outdoor hot tub.

Without current field-level confirmation: identity, property type, price guide.

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Contact sources cover contact details, independently of room amenities.

View hotel / booking page

budget

Affordable options that get the job done

Budget$ · earlier budget guide

Simple Lodge & Hostel

hostel · Downtown Salida, a drive to Monarch

Book a bunk if you are traveling solo, or choose a private room and still use the communal spaces. Arrange a ride to the ski area from town.

solo travelershostel staysdowntown Salida
🍳Shared guest kitchen
Features to ask about

Earlier listings mention Ask about ski storage. Current availability at this property or in your room is not confirmed.

Sources & planning details

Checked: mountain access, recommendation details, booking link, Shared guest kitchen.

Without current field-level confirmation: identity, property type, price guide, Ask about ski storage.

Supporting source ↗ · checked 2026-10-31

Contact sources cover contact details, independently of room amenities.

View hotel / booking page

OVERNIGHT STAYS & CAMPERVANS

For Monarch Mountain, compare a booked room or rental around Salida with a designated campsite that accepts your vehicle and winter dates. Choose your base around the daily mountain journey and the power, water and indoor facilities you need.

Compare lodging options ↗

Book a designated overnight place for your vehicle and dates. Day parking does not provide permission to camp.

Sources & planning context

Other names · Monarch, Monarch Ski Area

Compare the setting and type of stay. Room choice, availability and the total booking price are specific to your dates.

Typically late November to mid April

A broad planning range from the historical guide, conditions permitting. Use the operator’s schedule for your travel dates.

Official schedules & conditions ↗
Schedule source ↗Official resort ↗
Official website
https://skimonarch.com
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Reported average snowfall (in)
350
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Runs
80
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Skiable area (acres)
1146
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Base elevation (ft)
10727
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Summit elevation (ft)
11952
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Vertical drop (ft)
1225
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026
Published opening time
09:00
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
Published closing time
16:00
Source ↗ · Oct 21, 2026
Summer and winter destination
Yes
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Beyond winter
Ride the Monarch Crest tram for summer mountain sightseeing.
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Summer visit planning
At the operator’s Monarch Mountain at the Crest facility, separate from the winter ski-area base. Tram operation is weather dependent.
Source ↗ · Oct 25, 2026
Lifts
9
Source ↗ · Oct 27, 2026

Historical mountain figures awaiting field-level confirmation: Longest run (mi).

Individual listings retain their own sources and check dates. A source check covers only the named details; it does not confirm availability. Snowfall averages describe climate, not a forecast.

80 trails includes 72 lift-served plus 8 hike-to; acreage includes 1,017 lift access and 129 hiking access. The nine listed lifts include tubing and ski-school-only facilities, so a general ski-lift total is not verified.

Monarch No Name Basin ↗The mountain extends across both sides of the divide with intermediate and advanced lift-served and hike-to terrain. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Mirkwood Basin ↗The operator identifies expert hike-to terrain and access instructions. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Monarch Mountain directions ↗The ski area lies near the top of Monarch Pass on US 50 west of Salida. Check CDOT for current road conditions. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Monarch Mountain | Lodging ↗Monarch states there are no overnight accommodations on ski-area property and identifies Ski Town Condos as a Garfield stay. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Monarch Mountain Lodge | Stay ↗Hotel on US 50 with a ski-area shuttle, indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs and restaurant. Family rooms have a mini-fridge and microwave. Pets are permitted only in certain rooms. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort | Lodging ↗Nathrop hot springs resort with lodge rooms, cabins and creekside suites. Overnight guests get pool access, and treatments can be arranged. Dogs are accepted only in certain rooms or cabins. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Salida Inn & Monarch Suites ↗The Salida roadside property lists private hotel rooms, suites and cottages, including a two-bedroom family cottage. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Salida Inn & Monarch Suites | Operator FAQ ↗The motel is on US 50/West Rainbow Boulevard, with a seasonal outdoor pool and outdoor hot tub. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Simple Lodge & Hostel ↗The Salida hostel offers private rooms and shared dorms, a communal kitchen and shared facilities on East First Street. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Ski Town Condos | Garfield ↗The Garfield operator offers private-entry two-bedroom condos with furnished kitchens, laundry and access to a shared outdoor hot tub. Pets are not accepted. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Monarch Mountain Snowsports School ↗The school lists junior group lessons, private instruction and adult learning options. Its reservations line is 719-530-5196, including adaptive lesson enquiries. Inclusions depend on the lesson. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Monarch Mountain Rentals ↗Standard ski or snowboard rental packages include boots and a helmet, plus poles for skiers. The resort recommends advance reservations for busy days and gives 719-530-5196 for reservations. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Monarch beginner arrival guide ↗Guests with lessons or rentals check in at the Reservations windows in the large tent-like Rental and Lesson Center north of the main lodge. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Monarch Mountain | Dining ↗Gunbarrel Grill and Java Stop are on the main lodge’s middle level. Gunbarrel is cafeteria-style, Java Stop serves local coffee and hot chocolate, and Sidewinder serves sit-down meals, burgers, local beer and spirits. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Amicas Pizza & Microbrew ↗The Salida pizzeria and microbrew offers pizzas, beers, wine, dine-in and pickup. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

Shavano Restaurant | Food menus ↗At 113 E. Sackett Avenue, Shavano serves Colorado ingredients and offers a family-style dinner menu. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

JNB | Shavano renovation ↗The contractor reports that Shavano’s owners bought out The Fritz and renovated the former restaurant. · Checked Oct 31, 2026. This check covers these details only.

  • Monarch Mountain — Hours & Stats ↗

    The operator publishes a total-lift fact not already covered by a maintained adapter.

  • Monarch Mountain — official homepage ↗

    See the verified facts and dates listed above.

  • Official 2026–27 operating information ↗

    Publishes the season’s pass information. Use the separate mountain operating schedule to choose skiing dates.

  • Scenic Tramway – Monarch Mountain at the Crest ↗

    Ride the Monarch Crest tram for summer mountain sightseeing.

SEE YOU UP THERE.

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