CONDITIONS

Cat Confirmation

Please take the time to read and understand all of the information provided below. If you have reserved a full cat or multiple seats, please make sure all of your parties receive this information.

All group members will need to sign a liability waiver.

Itinerary: Don’t miss your cat!

8 am | Food and beverages are available in the Gunbarrel Café on weekends and Java Stop on weekdays
(mid-level of the Main Lodge).

8 – 8:30 am | Check-in at the Cat Skiing Yurt and let them know if you’d like to try out (optionally) demo powder equipment available in our Rental Shop.

8:30 – 9 am | Meet your guides in the Yurt to go over safety procedures and orientation for the day.

9 – 9:15 am | Board the Breezeway Lift to meet the cat. If there’s a lift line, use the Ski School entrance to board. Please use the BCA Beacon Checker at the top to double check that your avalanche transceiver is transmitting.

12:30 – 1:15 pm (or so)| Have lunch in the Cat Skiing Yurt. Please let us know ahead of arrival date if you have dietary restrictions.  We’re usually away from the slopes for about 45 minutes. After lunch, board the Breezeway Lift with your guides.  Again, check your beacon at the top.

4:00 – 4:30 pm | Return to the yurt for high fives and gather your belongings.

4:30 (or so)| Grab a complimentary beer, wine, well drink or non-alcoholic beverage at the Sidewinder Saloon (upper level of the Main Lodge).  Cheers!

Your responsibility

As a guest with Monarch Cat Skiing, you will be expected to listen and follow all instructions from the guides throughout the cat trip. Please also keep the following in mind:

  • The minimum age for guests is 14, and all minors (those between 14 and 17) must have a liability waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian. Exceptions to this age limit will be considered for individuals under 14 for full cat reservations, but must be disclosed before arriving for the trip.
  • Monarch Cat Skiing does our best to provide services for ADA participants. Adequate notification (72 hours in advance) and a full cat rental may be helpful to our staff in making a reasonable accommodation.
  • Monarch Cat Skiing discourages the use of head phones. If you must wear them, be sure they are off when the guides are explaining the details of each run.
  • Participants agree to abstain from the use of alcohol or drugs while on their cat skiing trip.
  • Participants agree to ski/ride within their ability level.
  • If the guides determine that the skill level or the lack of cooperation from a participant is impeding the ability for the group to achieve the maximum runs on their trip or is endangering themselves/others, those individuals will not be allowed to participate. However, they may finish their day skiing/riding at Monarch Mountain using the ski lifts.
  • Participants are asked to ski/ride with partners while in all of the gladed/treed zones and are responsible for keeping track of each other.
  • Participants are expected to arrive well rested and hydrated. You will be skiing near or at 12,000 feet in altitude. If you are feeling ill for any reason, let your guide know, especially if there are any underlying medical factors that might be exacerbated by physical activity in the alpine environment. Please understand that this activity will not make you better if you are not feeling well! All medical information provided to your guides is protected by HIPPA laws. We will not transfer information without the consent of the participant.
  • Commercial video or photography is not allowed unless permitted separately by the USFS through an approved still photo and/or commercial filming request with the San Isabel National Forest.

Payment, Cancellations, and Refund Policies

Payment

  • Full payment is due at the time of booking (whether online or by phone) for individual seats.
  • A full cat has a maximum of 12 seats. The booking party is responsible for the entire cost of the full cat. Unfilled seats on the day of the trip are non-refundable.
  • A deposit of 50% is required at the time of booking a full cat, and this deposit must be made by phone by calling 888.996.7669 ext. 5105 or 719.530.5105. Complete payment is due three weeks prior to trip date, and all funds are non-refundable at that time.
  • Discounted or complimentary certificates will apply only towards the price of individual seats.
  • In order to receive the full cat discount, the entire cat must be booked in the initial booking. We will not combine multiple reservations to create a full cat discount.

Cancellation

  • On any given day, Monarch Cat Skiing must have five paid seats to guarantee the trip will operate. If a trip is cancelled due to lack of this minimum, we will refund or reschedule the trip.
  • Monarch Cat Skiing reserves the right to cancel a trip at any time due to mechanical problems, avalanche danger or skiing conditions. A refund may be given, or the trip will be rescheduled.
  • Guest cancellations must be made at least 21 days prior to the scheduled trip by emailing ticketmanager@skimonarch.com or calling 719.530.5105.
  • Guest cancellations made within 21 days and earlier than seven days before the scheduled trip will not be refunded, however they may be rescheduled for a $25 per person fee.
  • Guest cancellations made within seven days of the scheduled trip cannot be refunded or rescheduled.

 

Refunds

  • Monarch Cat Skiing refund policy is based on guests receiving a minimum of five hours of skiing/riding time. This time will include lift rides, cat rides, orientation at the top of runs, re-grouping below, and, of course, skiing and riding! We do not guarantee a total number of runs or vertical, as this will be determined by snow conditions, group ability, and individual run logistics.
  • Any refund due to circumstances beyond our control will be based on time missed from the five hour minimum of skiing/riding time. The value of each hour is calculated on the cost of the individual seat or full cat divided by five. This number is multiplied by the amount of hours lost from the minimum and will constitute the amount of a refund.
  • Monarch Cat Skiing does not provide refunds for a guest’s failure to arrive on time, group or individual “no shows”, injury, the inability to ski/ride the terrain or conditions, lost skiers/riders, or for any other personal emergencies or issues

Disclaimer: All terms, conditions, and prices are subject to change.

What to Bring

We will provide complimentary use of a BCA Tracker 2 Avalanche Transceiver and BCA Float Pack with a probe and shovel. If you do not have a three antenna beacon, you will be required to use one of ours.

We do not provide any personal equipment. Please note the following as you determine what to bring:

  • You can rent high performance skis by calling our reservations department at 719.530.5196.
  • The cat only has enough room for one set of equipment per guest. If you would like, you can trade out equipment during lunch.
  • Lunch is included, but we do recommend bringing snacks and water. We have enough space on the cat for everyone to bring a small backpack.

Terrain and Conditions

Monarch Cat Skiing does not implement a slope rating system for our off-piste (no grooming) backcountry terrain. We provide skiing/riding in varying snow conditions and on a variety of slope types. We have no control of the weather, and make no promises as to snow conditions on any given day.

  • For a forecast, visit OpenSnow.
  • A minimum of two guides will accompany your trip and will use their knowledge of our terrain and conditions to provide the best experience possible on any given day.
  • Be prepared for variabilities in snow texture, as we have it all! The best is powder, but we have sweet, soft transport to breakable and hard wind slab or wind buff with a chalky topping; we have melt/freeze crust, wet and heavy on the sunny sides or perfect corn.
  • Also be prepared for a variety of slope types, including wide open avalanche ridges and bowls, steeps (some over 45 degrees), and sub-alpine gladed or tight trees.
  • Unmarked hazards, including rocks, stumps, fallen trees, and avalanche debris, may be encountered.
  • Be aware of tree wells and other snow immersion suffocations (S.I.S.) zones. This is especially important during large snow cycles, but possible anytime during the winter months.
  • Monarch Cat Skiing uses explosives, winch roller operations, and ski testing for avalanche mitigation.
  • More information on snow hazards can be obtained from the Colorado Avalanche Information Center and Deep Snow Safety.