Monarch Mountain – Whats New for the 2011-12 Season

I came over Monarch Pass the other day after a weekend spent in the Elk Mountain Wilderness outside of Gunnison. It really got me thinking about the winter season as Monarch Mountain’s roadsigns were reminding us all that season passes are on sale. Thinking snow and all things white I was suprised when I saw the smooth field of black in their parking lot. A freshly paved parking lot, roped off and waiting for the first of Monarch’s skiers and riders.

So whats new at Monarch for the 2011-12 season you ask? Lots! The mountain is once again reinvesting in the area by spending $1.3 million in area improvements. These improvements carry on with Monarch Mountain’s mission to always improve the skiing and riding experience, and new skiers and riders are at the top of the list.

New Lift on Snowflake

A new 450 foot covered conveyor lift is being installed at the base of the mountain serving the Snowflake beginner terrain. The new lift will be named “Caterpillar” complementing Monarch Mountain’s butterfly brand. Conveyor lifts run along the surface of the snow making it very easy for beginner skiers and snowboarders to load and unload the lift. The clear Plexiglas cover will protect riders from the elements as they go up the mountain.

The Tumbelina lift’s mid-way unloading station that provided access to Snowflake will be removed so skiers and riders will not have the confusing option of where to unload; Tumbelina will still continue to access Freeway, Beeline, Little Jo and Rookie. Beginner lift tickets, rental equipment and lesson packages will not only be affordable but more comfortable for the beginner skiers and riders with Caterpillar as the new surface lift. Snowflake will continue as a great beginner area for lessons and those needing a gentle slope to get their “ski legs” back under them.

New rental equipment

Monarch Mountain is adding 200 new sets of HEAD skis, boots and bindings this year to the fleet of 600 sets that were purchased for the 2010-11 season. New high end demo equipment from K2, Volkl, Dynastar and Salomon is also being brought in this season.

Never Summer snowboards is providing new 2011-12 boards for the new Never Summer Demo Center that will be located in the Rental/Lesson Center.

Faster Registration gets you on the mountain quicker

Monarch Mountain has invested $50,000 in computer network upgrades to speed transactions at the area. Registration time for Lessons and Rentals will be easier for the guest; the process will be simpler with less paperwork getting you on the snow faster. Monarch Mountain’s online reservation system for season passes, lift tickets and gift cards will also be streamlined creating easier and quicker transactions.

An improvement everyone will all appreciate

Continuing with simple pleasures, the restrooms in the Main Lodge have been remodeled from top to bottom; new entrances, new flooring, new fixtures, new tile, new partitions and new paint. The restroom remodel will help improve the experience for everyone.

New Cat for Monarch Snowcat Tours

A new Prinoth 350 Snowcat, with a custom cabin has been ordered for Monarch Snowcat Tours. This new cat will be more efficient and faster insuring that Monarch Snowcat Tours will continue as the premier Snowcat operation in the US.

Odds and Ends

Other improvements that will affect the guest experience are; an additional Brita Hydration Station has been added in the Main Lodge, a new communications center next to the Season Pass Desk, which houses a weather station and flat screen that will display the snow report, event information, road reports and any other announcements.

Freshie’s Deli, the popular addition to Monarch Mountain’s food and beverage venues last season, has acquired a new toasting oven. Toasted sandwiches will be added to the already fresh, quick and delicious menu.

New maze direction and dividers on Panorama. This upper mountain lift will now have lift lines coming in from the west side with new vinyl panel maze dividers to keep lines organized and orderly.

As I came down the pass there were plenty of billboards saying thank you from Monarch Mountain, I was kind of thinking the same – Thank you Monarch Mountain, can’t wait to see you wrapped in a coat of white fluff!

~Summit Sojourner

Photo Credits: Monarch Mountain