We have extended our season through April 16th!
We have extended our season through April 16th!
We have extended our season through April 16th! 

UPHILL TRAVEL

GET UP TO GET DOWN

Do you enjoy earning your turns and catching a beautiful sunrise? Even while our lifts are turning we allow uphill travel for those looking to boost their daily workout. So, for those of you who like to go against the grain, swim upstream, or simply get your heart rate up, skinning up takes skiing independent to a whole new level.

Monarch Mountain permits uphill traffic with limited restrictions. There are guidelines that all uphill users must follow to promote safety and to minimize conflicts with mountain operations. This includes, though is not limited to: grooming operations (including winch cat), plowing, parking, snowmobile traffic, other vehicles, downhill skiers/riders, and any other activities that might be taking place at any time on the mountain, day or night.

  • Guildelines
    Guildelines
    Uphill Travel
  • Pass Required
    Pass Required
    Uphill Travel
  • Travel Routes
    Travel Routes
    Uphill Travel
  • Closures & Mountain Operations
    Closures & Mountain Operations
    Uphill Travel
  • Parking
    Parking
    Uphill Travel
  • DOGS
    DOGS
    Uphill Travel
Guildelines
  • Be observant when ascending. The ski area conducts operations on the mountain 24 hours a day – before, during, and after the ski season. Users may encounter snowcats, winch cats, winch cables, snowmobiles, trucks, skiers/riders and other types of operations at any time.
  • Respect all closures, warning signs and ropes at all times.
  • Designated uphill routes are marked by a yellow diamond shaped marker with a black arrow.
  • Terrain parks are closed outside of operating hours. Other trails may be used for downhill during this time.
  • Be aware of others on the mountain and remain visible at all times.
  • Always keep your uphill access pass visible and be willing to stop and show it whenever asked by any resort personnel. This includes early season, late season, during and after hours.
  • At dusk, night, or early morning, wear reflective clothing visible from all directions, such as a vest, armband, belt, reflective clothing or pack, headlamp, flashing bike light, etc.
  • The following type of equipment is acceptable for uphill travel: AT gear, nordic, split-board, snowshoe, and (fat tire mountain bikes-outside of operating hours ONLY). Foot traffic is not allowed due to the post-holing and unsafe snow conditions it creates. Sledding devices are prohibited at all times.
  • Fat tire mountain bikes are allowed outside of operating hours only – not during operating hours.
Categories :
Uphill Travel
Pass Required
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 2022-23 season.
  • The Uphill Pass is valid outside of normal operating hours (4:00pm-9:00am) AND during normal operating hours (9:00am-4:00pm) at any time during the winter season with the following exception: Uphill access will be closed as we prepare for opening. Refer to the Monarch website and social media outlets for uphill access as the season approaches.
  • Uphill passes are also valid for pre-season (prior to our opening day) and post-season (after our closing day) uphill travel. Users that visit during these time frames outside of the season may visit any hour of the week prior to opening.
  • 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 our 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
Categories :
Uphill Travel
Travel Routes
Designated Uphill Routes are accessible during operating hours and are required for uphill travel between 9:00am and 4:00pm. These designated uphill routes are marked by a yellow diamond shaped marker with a black arrow. Outside of operating hours, from 4:00pm – 9:00am, no designated travel route is required. You are free to explore the mountain – just be sure to watch out for maintenance crews working through the night.
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.
Categories :
Uphill Travel
Closures & Mountain Operations
  • 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.
  • Terrain parks are closed outside of normal operating hours. Other trails may be used for downhill during this time.
  • 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.
  • Mirkwood and other avalanche terrain may be closed. 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.
  • 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.
Categories :
Uphill Travel
Parking
  • 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!)
Categories :
Uphill Travel
DOGS
  • Dogs are prohibited on the mountain during operating hours and are strongly discouraged at all other times.
  • The resort is not responsible for injury to dogs, service animals, or other pets.
  • User may be held responsible for any resulting damages or injuries to persons or property due to their animal, as well as loss of access/pass privileges.
  • If you do bring your dog on the mountain outside of operating hours, please clean up after your animal and maintain control of them at all times with a leash or verbal command
Categories :
Uphill Travel

Monarch Mountain is an equal opportunity provider and operates under a special use permit with the Pike San Isabel National Forest.
Anyone who needs assistance with accessing the content on this website please call 719.530.5000.