Monarch is investing $1.2 million for 2010-2011 season

Monarch Mountain is investing $1.2 million in area improvements for the 2010-11 season, these enhancements are due to a record breaking 2009-10 winter season. Monarch Mountain will once again reinvest in the area. Keeping with Monarch Mountain’s mission to always improve the skiing/riding experience, families are at the top of the list.

Lift Improvements
A new base terminal for the Garfield Chair Lift leads the list of improvements. A new and improved loading station, drive units and hydraulics will create an entirely new base terminal at Monarch Mountain’s most popular chair. The new base terminal will allow Garfield to run more efficiently with less stops for skiers and riders getting on and off the lift. The Pioneer quad chair lift will see a new unloading ramp at the top, helping ease the unloading process. Both Garfield and Pioneer lift mazes will see new lane dividers to facilitate the flow of maze traffic.

Base Lodge
The “highest Starbuck’s in the free world” will get even higher. Starbuck’s will be relocated to the top floor of the main lodge so customers can easily enjoy a snack or beverage with family and friends. A new deli will inhabit Starbuck’s former location at the mid-level corridor. The deli will be ideal for guest looking to get a quick sandwich, salad, snack and a drink and get back on the slopes.

Last years installment of the “Hydration Station” on the top level of the main building was such a success, two additional ones will be installed for this winter. The Picnic Room on the lower level of the main lodge and the Rental/Lesson center building will now have Hydration Stations. “Drinking water to stay hydrated at high altitude is very important and we want to make it as convenient as possible for our guests” said Rich Moorhead, Monarch Mountain CEO.

Rental/Lesson Center
Rental and Lesson Center guests will appreciate the addition of 600 sets of new Head rental skis, boots and bindings. These will be complemented by new snowboard and demo skis. New boot dryers will be added to the rental shop and the reservation counter will be remodeled to speed up the delivery of reserved equipment.

Just for Kids
Kids are “king” at Monarch Mountain, so several improvements and upgrades are aimed at the younger generation. A new Yurt for the junior mountain program will be used for registration and as a warming hut for the older offspring. The Children’s Center will be remodeled to better serve the younger tikes.

On mountain improvements will be made for beginners and families. Beginners will find a new gentler access point paralleling Romp which will make it easier to ski or ride to the terrain on the west side of the mountain. Tilt, the popular kids’ terrain park, will acquire several new “features”, keeping it fresh and fun. The “Organic” K2 Terrain Park will also have several new “all natural” features and a new log entrance (all features and the entrance are made from downed trees at the area). The addition of a new Prinoth Bison Snowcat will let allow the cat drivers to groom more terrain and lay down Colorado’s only “all natural” corduroy for skiers and riders to enjoy.

Skiers and Riders of all ages will enjoy this year’s improvements at Monarch Mountain, all aimed at enhancing the family and guest experience.