It’s a bluebird Christmas Day at Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area, and while the snowpack sits at 18 inches—roughly 34% below average—skiers are still carving out memorable turns on Monarch’s famously all-natural snow. Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area is a ski resort located in Colorado, United States.
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Overnight temps held steady at a mild 35°F, preserving the base but limiting fresh accumulation. The next 24 hours bring a modest 0.23 inches of snow, with a total of 1 inch anticipated over the next five days—just enough to refresh the runs and keep spirits high as the holiday energy pulses through the mountain.
Excitement is building beyond the slopes, too. Monarch’s highly anticipated expansion is transforming it into the second U.S. resort where you can ski both sides of the Continental Divide—set for completion soon. This terrain upgrade, combined with legendary SnowCat backcountry access, is turning heads across the Rockies. Despite the lean snowpack, Monarch’s commitment to natural snow continues to shine, earning praise from skiers calling current conditions the “best of the season.” As the resort plans for its closing and beyond, now’s the time to explore this uniquely intimate Colorado gem—before the word spreads too far.
Snow Water Equivalent (SWE) shows how much water the snow holds. This is ideal for year-to-year tracking of real snowfall and water resources. Measurements from Porphyry Creek.
Snowpack depth measures how much snow has accumulated in the area. This is a key indicator of powder quality, trail coverage, and how epic your runs are going to be this season at Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area.
Recent air temperature fluctuations at Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area impact snow quality and stability, from powder to slush.
The Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area in Colorado is located near the Sawatch Range in the Rocky Mountains. The resort offers a variety of terrain, including beginner slopes, intermediate runs, and advanced terrain. Some of the prominent peaks and mountains surrounding the resort include Monarch Mountain, Garfield Peak, and Grizzly Peak. The area is known for its breathtaking views and diverse skiing and snowboarding opportunities.
The resort offers a variety of trails for skiers and snowboarders of all levels, with the beginner-friendly Mirage being a popular choice for those new to the sport. The resort also boasts the longest run in Colorado, the Enduro, which spans two miles. An interesting fact about Monarch is that it was once a mining town in the late 1800s, and some of the historic buildings still remain on the property. For après ski, the Sidewinder Saloon is a great spot to grab a drink and enjoy live music.
Night Skiing | No |
Lift Count | 5 Lifts |
Hourly Lift Capacity | 6100 per hour |
Base Elevation | 3289 Meters |
Terrain Park | Yes |
Acreage | 800 Acres |
Established | 1936 |
Run Count | 63 Trails |
The ski area received 0" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, a 30 percent chance of snow showers, mainly after 8am. partly sunny, with a high near 32. breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area is expected to receive up to 1.98" of new snowfall in the next 5 days.
Colorado ski resorts can expect a mix of calm and accumulating snow over the next five days. The heaviest snow is projected in the southern San Juan Mountains and the northwest. Wolf Creek Ski Area, near the Wolf Creek Summit sensor, leads with 12 inches forecasted, along with nearby Upper San Juan and Cumbres Trestle. Telluride should also benefit from ... Read more