This Underrated Colorado Ski Area Sits on the Continental Divide and Gets 350 Inches of Snow a Year

"I pulled into the parking lot at Monarch Mountain on a cold, windy morning. Snow had arrived the night before, and another storm was on its way. "So this is what it's like to start your ski day at 10,727 feet," I thought. On average, Monarch's east-facing slopes and high elevation (it tops out at 11,952 feet) provide the ski area with 350 inches of all-natural snow a year. There's zero snowmaking-a rarity in Colorado."

"This is what I was really here for-a reminder of what skiing is all about. It's not the soda company-sponsored version so many resorts offer nowadays, with their heated, bubble-protected chairlifts and Champagne-and-caviar après, but the low-pressure "no friends on a powder day" mentality, ratty gear, and parking lot beers."

Monarch Mountain sits at elevations up to 11,952 feet and averages about 350 inches of natural snow annually, with no snowmaking. The resort frequently opens in late November and closes in early April, and season timing and coverage vary with natural snowfall. Parking-lot energy and a casual, throwback vibe characterize the visitor experience, with families, regulars, and informal social rituals. Staff efforts maintain an uncomplicated, personal atmosphere. The mountain features a strong kids' program and a hidden backside powder stash known for delivering elusive "hero lines."

Read at Travel + Leisure