An Underrated Mountain In Colorado Awaits With 350 Inches Of All-Natural Snow

The biggest, glitziest ski resorts in Colorado can be found off Interstate 70, which cuts through the Rocky Mountains from Denver to Grand Junction. Colorado is widely considered to be the best skiing destination in the country, and this thoroughfare is notoriously busy during the winter season. However, if you take the smaller Highway 285 southwest into the mountains from Denver, you'll come upon a ski area that's less developed — but just as exhilarating — as those well-known ski destinations. 

The spot is Monarch Mountain, a summit of nearly 12,000 feet that offers 800 skiable acres and receives an average annual snowfall of 350 inches. Puzzlingly, you won't find it listed among the most popular ski resorts in America. Instead, skiers and snowboarders who frequent Monarch Mountain regard it as a hidden gem — a mountain where the lavish lodges and party-filled après ski culture are stripped from the experience, and only the sport and the unspoiled beauty of the Rockies remain. The owners revel in its status as an undiscovered treasure, stating on their website that the mountain is "perfect for people looking to get away from the hustle-bustle."

Visitors agree. "We've all tired of the big 'industrial' resorts ... and their crowds, high prices, long lift lines and high percentages of spoiled rich tourists," one visitor to Monarch Mountain wrote on the website On the Snow, which provides information on ski areas. "We tried Monarch last year, and it was a huge relief."

Monarch Mountain's 350 inches of snowfall per year is all-natural. Unlike many ski areas, it doesn't rely on artificial (or "technical" snow)  to supplement its powder and extend its ski season. Even without this aid, skiers and snowboarders can rely on Monarch Mountain to be open five months of the year, from November through early April. 

Those 350 inches — or nearly 30 feet — rank it in the top 30 ski areas in North America for natural snowfall, a list that includes nine other locations in Colorado. However, one thing that differentiates Monarch Mountain from other popular ski resorts in the West is its prices. One-day lift tickets will cost you $69 on a weekday and up to $134 on holidays, making it one of the most affordable ski resorts in Colorado. By comparison, Aspen Snowmass charges $199 for one-day lift tickets on weekdays, and Vail charges $295.

While this regional ski mountain doesn't offer the champagne-popping, nightclub-esque glamour of some of its neighboring mountain towns, you'll still get a chance for some well-earned après ski at Monarch. Its main lodge includes a coffee shop called Java Stop, as well as Elmo's Bar, which serves up house-made bloody marys. Sidewinder Saloon — a restaurant and bar at the lodge — is a popular gathering spot for skiers and snowboarders that offers live music every Saturday.