Uphill Travel

The Uphill access pass is available at the Guest Services desk and the Monarch Outpost during normal business operating hours.

• Current Monarch season pass holders may obtain a complimentary Uphill Pass.
• Individuals who do not have a current Monarch season pass but still want to enjoy uphill travel during the winter season may purchase an Uphill Pass for $59 for the 2024-25 season.
• Uphill access will be closed the week before Opening Day for mountain preparation. Refer to the Monarch website and social media outlets for uphill access as the season approaches.
• Uphill passes are also valid for pre-season and post-season uphill travel.
• Monarch Mountain reserves the right to prohibit uphill access at any time due to special events, mountain operations, weather, or for any other reason deemed necessary by Monarch Mountain Administration.
• Users wanting to travel uphill exclusively after the ski area closes may obtain an Uphill Pass at no charge after the official Monarch Mountain closing day (TBD).
• All uphill users will be required to sign the general liability waiver which includes uphill travel. Users will be given a hard copy and/or emailed a copy of the Monarch Mountain Uphill Access Policy.
• Always keep your uphill access pass visible and be willing to stop and show it whenever asked by any resort personnel. ​ Attach it to your ski pants or backpack. This includes early season, late season, during and after hours
• It is unlawful to board any of the lifts without a valid lift ticket or season pass. Anyone utilizing uphill access privileges to access lifts without a valid lift ticket or pass will be subject to the loss of all pass privileges at the resort for an extended period and may be prosecuted for theft under Colorado law.

Designated Uphill Route(s) are required for uphill travel between 6:00am and 4:00pm. These designated routes are marked by a yellow diamond shaped marker with a black arrow:

• 06:00am-09:00am – Morning/Pre-operational hours
  • LITTLE MO ROUTE – (climber’s left of Little Mo to the top of Little Mo). ALL Pre-Operational skiers/riders MUST descend Little Mo ONLY. All other terrain is CLOSED during Morning/Pre-operational hours (6:00am-9am).
• 09:00am-04:00pm – Operational hours
  • BARREL LOOP
    Start at the center of lower Tango. Stay on climbers right of North Forty, then head left to the top of Gunbarrel.
  • PANO ROUTE
    Start at the center of lower Tango. Stay on climbers right of North Forty. Continue on climbers left of Roundabout and finish on climbers left of Skywalker.
  • MIRK ROUTE
    Start on climbers left of Little Mo and stay on this run until at the top of the Breezeway lift. If open, continue to the top of Mirkwood. If closed, you must stay out of the area. (Mirkwood opens at 10:00 and closes at 2:30.)
• 4pm-10pm – Post-operational hours. Other trails not marked as closed may be used during this time for uphill and downhill use. There may be snowcats working the swing shift for mountain grooming from 4pm-10pm. This work will primarily be conducted in the terrain parks and nearby trails but could be occurring anywhere on the mountain. Stay away from machines, wear reflective clothing and use a headlamp during this time. Terrain Parks and Mirkwood are CLOSED during this timeframe.
• 10pm-6:00am – Nighttime hours. All trails are CLOSED to uphill and downhill use during this timeframe.

• Monarch Mountain reserves the right to prohibit uphill access at any time due to special events, mountain operations, weather, or for any other reason deemed necessary by Monarch Mountain administration.
• Uphill users must obey all signs, warnings, and closures. Winch cat operations are identified by an orange sign near the anchor point and a blue or orange flashing warning light on the winch-cat. Other snowcats use an orange light. Do not ski/ride near any snowcats or grooming operations. Just because you can easily see a snowcat, does not mean that the operator can see you.
• Avalanche mitigation may be in progress at any time during the early morning, daytime, or dusk. It is your responsibility to avoid areas where these activities may be in progress. Please check in with ski patrol dispatch if in question. If in doubt, avoid traveling in or under any steep terrain.
• It is unlawful to board any of the lifts without a valid lift ticket or season pass. Anyone utilizing uphill access privileges to access upper mountain lifts without a valid lift ticket or pass will be subject to the loss of all pass privileges at the resort for an extended period and may be prosecuted for theft under Colorado law.
• If user decides to leave the ski area boundary, user is responsible for understanding risks. User may not enter, leave or re-enter the ski area by using a closed area, including marked USFS boundary closures. User must exit the area through USFS managed exit points.
• No Name Basin will not be open directly to the general skiing public at Monarch Mountain for the 2024-25 winter season and the boundary along the top of the Breezeway terrain will have no direct access points to this area. The SUP terrain within NN Basin will continue to be used for Monarch Cat Skiing during the 2024-25 winter season.  There may be opportunities  for UPHILL/backcountry type experiences using established backcountry exit points along the 2024-25 operational boundary for ingress and egress into this partially developed area.  There may also be other times during the season where winching, on-snow timber work, or other operational activities where this portion of the permitted area will need to be closed entirely to public use.  Users should check in with Administration or Ski Patrol for more information.
• Ski patrol services are not available outside of operating hours. Call 911 in case of emergency. Cell service may be spotty or unavailable and rescue may be lengthy. Travel with a partner and let others know of your plan.

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 specific hours; these hours are posted on the entrance gate (don’t get locked inside!)

Dogs are prohibited on the mountain at all times.