10- to 15-year roadmap outlines parking, lift, trail, and facility improvements while reaffirming the resort’s commitment to 100% natural snow
SALIDA, CO – Monarch Mountain today announced that its 2025 Master Development Plan (MDP) has been formally accepted by the National Forest Service, setting the stage for a new chapter of mountain improvements over the next 10 to 15 years.
The updated plan consolidates previously accepted projects and introduces new initiatives, including expanded parking, lift upgrades and new lift installations, trail grading, and some non-skiing centered offerings. Additional infrastructure improvements outlined in the plan include new buildings at Pano Flats, Paradise Lot, and the top of Pano, along with replacements of the Rental and Lesson Center, Patrol Headquarters, and the Lift Maintenance Shop.
Every ski area operating on National Forest land is required to maintain an MDP outlining its long-term construction plans. The document is conceptual in nature: it is “accepted,” not “approved,” and every individual project must still undergo a separate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review before moving forward. This distinction is significant: not every project outlined in the MDP will ultimately be built, and many will be adjusted to reflect the mountain’s needs at the time of implementation. The project-specific NEPA process accounts for details too granular to capture in a 15-year plan.
Monarch began work on the current MDP in fall 2023, engaging in internal discussions as well as consultations with SE Group and the Forest Service. The plan was formally submitted to the Forest Service on July 17, 2025, and underwent review through the fall, winter, and spring that followed.
The full 108-page Master Development Plan, along with the data behind the resort’s decision-making process, is available for public review at skimonarch.com/2025-monarch-mountain-master-development-plan-2.
Monarch Mountain also addressed a topic likely to draw attention within the document: snowmaking. While snowmaking has appeared in the resort’s MDPs for years as a contingency measure, Monarch remains committed to operating as a 100% natural-snow ski area. The resort has never implemented snowmaking and continues to believe natural snow delivers the best possible skiing experience. Its inclusion in the plan is intended solely to cover all long-term planning scenarios, and Monarch will not pursue it unless conditions leave no other option.
“We’re committed to keeping the soul of Monarch alive, we are excited about the new MDP plan, and are looking forward to getting it all done!” Zach Moore, Director Of Strategy and Safety, added.
About Monarch Mountain Monarch Mountain is a family-owned ski resort located atop the Continental Divide near Salida, Colorado, known for its abundant natural snowfall, wide-open bowls, and laid-back mountain culture.
The full 108-page Master Development Plan, along with the data behind the resort’s decision-making process, is available for public review at skimonarch.com/2025-monarch-mountain-master-development-plan-2.
Media Contact:
| EVA EGBERT, Ph.D.DIRECTOR OF BRAND EXPERIENCE_______________________ MONARCH MOUNTAINPHONE | 719.530.5104 EMAIL | WEB | WWW.SKIMONARCH.COM |
