Mountain Safety

• Always stay in control, and be able to stop or avoid other people or objects.
• People ahead of you have the right of way. It is your responsibility to avoid them.
• You must not stop where you obstruct a trail, or are not visible from above.
• Whenever starting downhill or merging into a trail, look uphill and yield to others.
• Always use devices to help prevent runaway equipment.
• Observe all posted signs and warnings. Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
• Prior to using any lift, you must have the knowledge and ability to load, ride and unload safely.
• Keep off closed trails and out of closed areas.
• Do not use lifts or terrain when impaired by alcohol or drugs.
• If you are involved in a collision or incident, share your contact information with each other and a ski area employee.

Under Colorado law, you cannot board a lift unless you have sufficient physical dexterity, ability and knowledge to negotiate or to use such lift safely, or until you have asked for and received information sufficient to enable you to use the lift safely. You may not use a lift or any ski trail when under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If you are unfamiliar with a lift, ask an attendant for assistance. If your lift stops for a prolonged period, remain seated; you will be assisted by the ski patrol. Those skiers found misusing lift tickets/passes, transferring lift tickets/passes, or attempting to gain lift access without a lift ticket/pass, may be subject to arrest and criminal prosecution.

If you feel it necessary to wear a backpack, remove it from one arm when loading/unloading the lift and hold it in your lap while riding the lift. Your hips and back should be all the way in the chair and in contact with the back of the chair. Baby packs are not allowed on the lifts.

Certain areas (indicated on the trail map in yellow) are designated as Slow Skiing Zones. Please observe the posted slow areas by maintaining a speed no faster than the general flow of traffic and allow sufficient space between yourself and others around you. Remember, those below you have the right of way. Fast and out of control skiing in these areas will not be tolerated.

Monarch highly encourages the use of appropriate helmets while skiing, riding or tubing. Please educate yourself regarding the benefits and limitations of helmets, and that no helmet can prevent all injuries. If you do not own a helmet and would like one, helmet rentals are available in our Rental + Lesson Center.

Learning about safety on the slopes is a good idea for any level of skier or rider. We recommend checking out the following resources:

• National Ski Area Association Safety Programs – http://www.nsaa.org/safety-programs
• National Ski Patrol – http://www.nsp.org
• Lift Safety for Kids & Families – http://www.kidsonlifts.org
• Helmet Safety for Kids & Families – http://www.lidsonkids.org
• Avalanche Awareness – https://kbyg.org
• Avalanche Hazard Rating & Education – https://avalanche.org
• Tree Well and Snow Immersion Safety – http://deepsnowsafety.org
• Terrain Park Safety – http://www.terrainparksafety.org/

While snow safety and avalanche mitigation efforts help reduce the risk of avalanches, avalanches and snow slides may occur at the ski area, both inside and outside of the posted boundaries. Avalanches are an inherent risk of the sport due to the nature of the snow and its application on steep mountainous terrain. Become educated on how to reduce the risk of injury or death from avalanches through your own actions and awareness. Ski or ride with a partner and keep each other in sight. Carry and know how to use the basic avalanche equipment (Avalanche transceiver, rescue shovel, probe). Visit https://avalanche.org or contact the Monarch Ski Patrol for further information on the risks and prevention of avalanche-related injuries or death.

Tree wells can be dangerous. The voids that exist around the bases of trees can trap skiers and riders who fall into them. Please ski/ride with a buddy and treat tree wells with extreme caution. Learn more at http://www.deepsnowsafety.org.

Beacon Basin Training Park is located near the base of the Panorama Lift. The park was established by the Monarch Ski Patrol for guests and staff to practice with their avalanche rescue beacons (“transceivers”). The park features up to eight buried transceivers that are wired to a central control panel. The park scenario and signals are changed daily. Probes are available to use. Please do not dig up the transceivers as they are only designed to transmit and work within the park system. Monarch Ski Patrol is available to answer any questions you may have about the park.

A non-profit organization that assists in the professional development of Ski Patrollers and the Avalanche Dog Program at Monarch Mountain. Check us out on Facebook.

As a permittee on the San Isabel National Forest, Monarch works with the USFS to establish rules and guidelines for our permitted area based on a combination of operational, safety, and environmental concerns. Our operating plan defines these rules and guidelines. The plan also authorizes Monarch to conduct activities and provide public services on National Forest System lands within the SUP boundary in accordance with federal law, regulation, and USFS policy. Monarch Mountain operates under a special use permit from the US Forest Service and is an Equal Opportunity Service Provider.

The personal use of private snowmobiles or vehicles is PROHIBITED within the Monarch SUP. All vehicles (INCLUDING SNOWMOBILES) must have prior approval from Monarch Mountain and the USFS.

The personal use of drones is PROHIBITED within the Monarch Mountain SUP. Monarch Mountain may use Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) in a limited capacity for Marketing and special events purposes.

Winter or summer camping is NOT ALLOWED within the ski area’s Special Use Permitted area unless authorized by the permittee and/or the USFS. There are several camping options nearby including paid sites with hook-ups and free dispersed camping on BLM and USFS lands.

• During operating hours, dogs are only allowed in the parking lot. They must be leashed and attended. They are not allowed on the mountain or in the base facilities.
• Service animals trained to perform a task for a person with a disability are allowed in the lot or in the base facilities. (Accessibility Policy)
• Outside of operating hours, dogs are allowed on the mountain. They must be on a leash or under verbal command.
• No dogs other than on duty Monarch Avalanche rescue dogs specifically trained to load and unload a lift are allowed on the chairlifts.
• Please clean up after your pet.
• Owners of dogs that are aggressive or cause a problem to other guests or staff will be asked to leave the premises.

Monarch Mountain has established a NO SMOKING POLICY IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS: The area between the Rental & Lesson Center and the Main Lodge/Ticket Windows; The west deck of the Main Lodge; All ski lift mazes; All ski lifts (while riding in the chair, carpet, tow).

Guests are asked to smoke away from others on the trails, in the parking lot, or in their cars.

Although Colorado voters approved Amendment 64 in Colorado in 2012 legalizing recreational marijuana, this substance is still considered a Schedule I Controlled Substance under Federal Law. One Hundred percent of Monarch Mountain’s permitted operations are located on Federal lands. This includes the ski lifts, trails base area, lodges, and parking lot. USFS Federal law enforcement officers frequently visit the ski area to enforce violations.

Monarch Mountain can be enjoyed using alpine, snowboard, telemark or specialized ski equipment. Regardless of how you enjoy the slopes, it is important to know what equipment we allow and don’t allow. Basically, all equipment needs to have metal edges, bindings and a brake or retention device.​ Pedestrian traffic is not allowed on aerial lifts. Keep yourself in check by reviewing the lists below.

• Skis (with metal edges) + Poles
• Snowboards (with metal edges)
• Ski Blades/Ski Boards
• Monoskis
• Equipment specifically designed for persons with a disability
• Snowshoes are allowed outside of normal operating hours and on designated uphill routes during operating hours with a valid uphill access ticket.
• Fat Tire Bikes are only allowed outside of normal operating hours with a valid uphill access ticket.

• Ski Snowskates
• Snowskates
• Snowdecks
• Airboards
• Toboggans
• Ghosky
• Snowbikes of any kind
• Body Sleds
• Sleds/Discs
• Snowscooters
• Inner Tubes
• Snowmobiles
• Baby Backpacks/Child Carriers