Ski and Snowboard

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.