Parking
You Made it! Now What?
Parking at Monarch is free and our Base Area Services (BAS) staff are on site daily starting at 7:00am to guide you through the parking lot. They will direct you to the next available spot, typically parking from the front to the back of a lot, and never spot saving. Please follow their directions as they are tasked with making the most of our limited parking capacity. They are there to help you, so if you have a question, don’t hesitate to ask! Just look for the orange vests and big smiles.
Upon arriving to Monarch, you’ll be greeted by our Base Area Services (BAS) staff waiving their orange flags to guide you to a parking space. They are tasked with making the most out of the limited parking available so please follow their directions. If you are in a large or long vehicle, they will direct you to an area of the lot better suited for the size of your vehicle.
The Paradise lot has ski in/ski out access and is open for you to park in on most days. Shuttles run from Paradise to the main stairs at the front of the lodge on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and any day when the main lot is full. If you have your gear and grill with you, this is a great place for tailgating. Please note that skiing back out to the lot can be tricky if the Breezeway lift is not open!
The Crest parking lot is located two miles from our main lot at the top of Monarch Pass. Shuttles run from the Crest lot to the main stairs at the front of the lodge on Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and any day when the Crest lot is required for overflow parking. You can save yourself some time on these busy days by just going up there to park, and get front door drop off / pick up as well!
Parking Zones
Winter or summer camping or overnight parking is NOT ALLOWED within the ski area boundaries as per our Special Use Permit, unless authorized by Monarch and/or the USFS. If you have a need to park your car overnight in any of our lots, (i.e…lost keys, broken down…etc.) please come to the Guest Services desk in the main lodge for assistance and to let us know your car is immobile in the lot.
If you have a need to drop off or pick up people near the building, there is a brief drop off/pick up zone near the doors of the south tunnel entrance of the main lodge. This is not a waiting zone; if your party is not ready to be dropped off or picked up, keep your vehicle moving, out of this area and do not block traffic.
Designated ADA parking is available near the south tunnel entrance of the main lodge. A Disabled Parking placard is required for vehicles using ADA parking. This parking allows accessible entry into the main lodge and an elevator or stair lift to move throughout the floors. Vehicles parked in ADA parking without a placard will be asked to move, and then towed if in non-compliance.”
During the ski season, Uphill Travel users arriving prior to 7:30am are required to park in the area next to the Water Treatment Plant in the lower lot and stay clear of snow plowing operations. Outside of the ski season, uphill users should be aware that parking lot gates are unlocked only during operating hours; these hours are posted on the entrance gate (don’t get locked inside!)
What if I’m locked out of my car?
Our BAS staff are onsite 7:00am – 4:30pm to help with vehicle issues. Visit our Guest Services desk to sign a Release Waiver and they can help from there.
What if my car dies and I can’t move it?
Visit our Guest Services desk and we will notify our BAS staff for assistance.
I lost my car keys – what do I do?
Go to Guest Services (lost & found) in the main lodge for assistance. Guest Services closes at 4:30.
Do you have charging stations for electric vehicles?
Yes, we have two. (We are currently remodeling around the base area; charging station locations TBD.)
Can I park or idle my car in a fire lane?
No, fire lanes must be kept clear at all times. See “Skier Drop Off + Accessibility Parking” for where drop off areas are located. If you need help finding a parking spot, look for our BAS staff in orange and they can direct you
Where is the best place to tailgate?
In Paradise, of course! Even if no shuttles are running for overflow parking, the upper Paradise lot is open for ski in/ski out access. Be aware, though, that if the Breezeway lift is closed, the ski out route can be tricky.
Can I leave my car overnight?
No overnight parking, including camping, is allowed in our lots except under emergency circumstances. If you have an emergency need to leave your car overnight, please notify Guest Services (719.530.5105) or Base Area Services (719.530.5150) so that we know not to have your vehicle towed.
Do you ever run out of parking?
Although very rare, it has happened once or twice on particularly busy days, especially when we’ve received a whole lot of snow AND it’s a weekend or holiday (powder hounds always arrive early!). This is why we ask that you heed the direction of the BAS parking attendants, carpool whenever possible, and arrive early when you have a reservation. When our main lots and upper, Paradise lot fills up, we will direct cars to the Crest lot at the top of Monarch Pass and shuttle folks. If ALL our lots fill up and there is absolutely no place to park, we will begin turning vehicles away until people start leaving and parking loosens up. There is NO parking on the highway!
Do you have a shuttle service from Salida or Buena Vista?
Monarch Mountain does not have public shuttles and encourages carpooling whenever possible. Here are some other options you might check out:
- Salida Hot Springs Aquatic Center: Fri/Sat bus service to/from Monarch (winter only)
- Bustang: am route Gunnison to Monarch; pm route Monarch to Gunnison (winter only)
- Rocky Mountain Taxi: serving Chaffee County
- Elevation Brewing: PARK N SKI carpool meeting/parking place, Poncha Springs (winter only) 719.539.5258