With this most recent storm, we’re making plans to open Monarch Mountain soon! We are closing uphill access effective at 4pm today (Tuesday-November 19th) until the mountain is open.

With the large increase in uphill traffic (skinners) that we have hosted the last few seasons, we have recognized that there is a public safety issue as we prep the slopes while working to get the ski area open. We have had daily groups of people (many with dogs) consistently passing thorough areas where we are actively piling and hauling snow with heavy equipment. Several others have skied up next to (or even worse…behind) working snowcats. Some in the past have even skied over winch cables under tension as we compact our steeper slopes.

Due to these safety concerns and our need to keep crews focused on opening tasks, all permitted slopes at the ski area are now closed to uphill use until opening. Our goal this week is to work as hard as we can to get the mountain open as soon and safely as possible.

“But it’s my National Forest.” Yes, Monarch operates entirely on National Forest lands. However, we are allowed to manage uphill travel (and other policies) through our USFS permit and its annual operating plan for our permitted area. This includes closing the mountain to uphill access. Please refer to our policies tab on the safety page and the closures + mountain operations section on our uphill policy page on our website for more information.

We strongly support uphill travel and have a very positive uphill policy. Please support us in our effort to get the mountain open by avoiding the area until we do.

We will reopen uphill access on opening day for the ski area at 9am. Once we open, there will only be uphill access during and after operating hours.  The uphill route during operating hours will be Lower Tango/North Forty/to Gunbarrel or the top of Roundabout. Pano and Breezeway access will be CLOSED until that terrain opens for the season. After hours access will only be on trails marked as open on the website with the exception of any avalanche terrain or terrain parks (as open).  Users must also observe any on-mountain rope closures and closed signs marking terrain as CLOSED.  There will be NO EARLY MORNING UPHILL ACCESS between 6am and 9am until the Little Mo ski trail adjacent to Breezeway opens for the season.

Please remember that ALL UPHILL USERS MUST HAVE AN UPHILL PASS. This includes ALL season pass holders. This is a separate product from the season pass and is updated each year.  Please wear your pass on a backpack or on your pants so that it is visible.

For any questions on this policy, stop at our Guest Service Desk or email info@skimonarch.com