* WHAT...West winds 35 to 45 mph with gusts up to 75 mph. * WHERE...Northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Teller County and the Rampart Range including Pikes Peak, Eastern Sawatch Mountains Above 11000 Feet, Western Chaffee County Between 9000 and 11000 Feet, Western Mosquito Range/East Chaffee County Above 9000 Feet, and Northwestern Fremont County Above 8500 Feet. * WHEN...Until 5 AM MST Saturday. * IMPACTS...Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Power outages are possible. Travel will be difficult, especially for high profile vehicles.
Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area wakes up under frosty skies this December 19, 2025, with an overnight low of 26°F and a snowpack depth of 18 inches—well below the seasonal average, down over 21%. Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area is a ski resort located in Colorado, United States.
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Humidity
Despite the lean conditions, Monarch remains open and welcoming holiday skiers with groomed trails and all-natural snow across its core terrain. While the 72-hour forecast is light, calling for only 0.04 inches of new snowfall, crisp temperatures are preserving the existing base, allowing operations to continue smoothly.
Excitement is building with Monarch extending its season to April 13 and planning terrain expansion on both sides of the Continental Divide. As some Colorado resorts delay openings due to dry weather, Monarch stands out for its commitment to quality skiing without snowmaking. With affordable lift access and free skiing for those 70 and older, it's a top pick for budget-conscious powder chasers. Keep an eye on the horizon—local forecasters hint at a stronger system possibly rolling in next week. For now, enjoy the calm before the storm with clear runs, short lift lines, and a mountain that thrives on natural beauty.
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 -1" of new snowfall since yesterday.
Weather today, patchy blowing snow. sunny, with a high near 31. windy, with a west wind 25 to 30 mph, with gusts as high as 50 mph.
Northern Colorado is set to receive the heaviest snowfall in the coming days, with the Tower SNOTEL site near Steamboat Springs forecasting 6 inches over five days and having the deepest snowpack in the state at 31". Nearby, Zirkel and Elk River are also forecasted for 6" with snow depths of 26" and 15", respectively. Steamboat Resort, the closest major ... Read more