Monarch Colorado Skiing, Snowboarding and Winter Sports

Skip the traffic and the crowds and make your way to Monarch Mountain for an authentic Rocky Mountain ski vacation. Monarch's terrain is varied enough to appeal to skiers and riders at any level. From fun learning opportunities and easy runs that keep the day fun and kid friendly, to the deep powder, challenging black runs and extreme skiing in the hike-to terrain of Mirkwood Basin. See you on the slopes!

Salida's central location puts it within an hour or two of most of the major Colorado Ski resorts. And Winter spells fun in Colorado, including the Upper Arkansas Valley. If downhill skiing or snowboarding is your bag—especially in deep powder—then Monarch Ski Resort is the place for you. Another site for skiers and snowboarders is Ski Cooper, just south of Leadville. This alpine ski resort has slopes that vary from 3,000 feet to 10,000 feet in length, with vertical drops up to 1,400 feet per run.

Not a downhill skier or snowboarder? Not to worry, the county has a myriad of awesome backcountry trails for the cross-country skier. And, if groomed trails are more to your liking, try the Nordic Ski Center at Fairplay, located only 40 miles east of Salida. Here you can rent gear, take lessons, and ski cross-country along 12 miles of groomed trails.

In addition to snow sports that require gravity and/or lots of effort, the Salida region has ample opportunities for motorized winter recreation. For those who are interested in snowmobiling, there are quite a few snowmobile runs in backcountry Chaffee County.

Ski Centers and Resorts

Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area
Monarch Ski Area
18 miles West of Salida, on US Hwy 50
(719) 539-3573
www.skimonarch.com

The Tennessess Pass Nordic Center (next to Ski Cooper, 9 miles NW of Leadville)
Leadville, CO
(719) 486-1750
www.tennesseepass.com
25 km of groomed Cross-country Skiing Trails, Rental and Lessons; Dining; Ski-in Sleep Yurts

Ski Cooper, Ski Cooper Chicago Ridge Snowcat Tours
1101 Poplar Street
Leadville, CO
(719) 486-3684
www.skicooper.com
Unique, fun, and affordable. Chicago Ridge Snowcat Skiing

Monarch Snow Cat Tours
Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area
(719) 539-3573  or (888) 996-SNOW (7669)
http://www.skimonarch.com
info@skimonarch.com  
Unmatched Backcountry Skiing adventure on 900 acres of pristine powder

Snowmobiling Rentals and Guided Tours

All Season Snowmobile and ATV Rentals
7330 Hwy 50 West
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 530-0651
http://www.allseasonrentals.com
Hourly, daily and weekly Rentals, scenic Guided Tours

Cottonwood Country Snowmobile Tours
30430 N Hwy 24
Buena Vista, CO 81211
(719) 395-6727 
http://www.colorado.com/cottonwood-country-snowmobile-tours

Leadville Ski Country
116 E 9th Street 
Leadville, CO 
(719) 486-3836
www.leadvilleskicountry.com
Ski, Snowboard, Snowshoe, Snowmobile Rentals. Twenty-mile ride around beautiful Turquoise Lake.

Monarch Snowmobile Tours & Rentals 
22763 Hwy 50
Garfield, CO
(719) 539-2572 
http://www.snowmobilemonarch.com 
Guided Snowmobile Tours and Unguided Daily Rentals

Timberline Motorsports
29770 N Hwy 24
Buena Vista, CO 81211
(719) 395-4272
http://www.timberlinemotorsports.net
Authorized Arctic Cat Dealership

Skiing and Snowboarding Gear

Monarch Ski & Snowboard Area
18 miles West of Salida
(719) 539-3573
http://www.skimonarch.com 
Rent on the Mountain

Mt. Shavano Ski and Snowboard Rental
10 miles West of Salida, on US Hwy 50
Salida, CO 81201
(719) 539-3240
http://www.mtshavanoskishop.com
Fast, friendly service

Mountain Sports Haus
Jct. Hwy 50 & Hwy 285
Poncha Springs, CO 81242
(719) 539-7618 or (877) 588-4287
http://www.mtnsportshaus.com 
Ski & Snowboard Rentals for the whole family

Salida Mountain Sports
110 North "F" Street
Salida, CO 81201-2106
(719) 539-4400
http://www.salidamountainsports.com

Wilderness Ski and Snowboard Shop
10015 W Hwy 50 (on the way to Monarch Mountain) 
Poncha Springs, CO 81242
and Monarch Mountain Lodge  2270 W Hwy 50 Monarch, CO 81227
(719) 539-3747 or (888) 639-3747
http://www.wildernessskishop.net
Ski and Snowboard Rentals -- two full service locations on Hwy 50