SAM Magazine—Salida, Colo., July 10, 2024—Monarch Mountain has received United States Forest Service (USFS) approval for its No Name Basin terrain expansion project, as its Memorandum of Agreement has been finalized and the USFS has signed the Decision Notice. The project will add 377 acres, bringing Monarch's special use permit to 1,146 acres in all. Completion is expected in time for the 2025-26 season.

The expansion area, which has been accessed by Monarch's cat-skiing operation in the past, will include 10 cut trails totaling 62 acres plus an additional 75 gladed acres. A 2,700-foot-long fixed-grip triple chair will rise nearly 1,000 vertical feet and serve the mostly intermediate and advanced terrain, with a warming house and restrooms at the bottom terminal.

Monarch will begin work on the project this summer, as it plans to build an 8,600-foot access road, extend the power line for the lift, and start cutting the runs. That will enable the lift installation and warming hut construction to follow in summer 2025. No word yet as to who the lift manufacturer will be.

“We are so excited to actually get started on this project after years of planning and project review by multiple entities,” said Scott Pressly, vice president of mountain operations. 

The pod was included as part of the resort's 2011 master plan, and had been eyed for expansion long before then. In recent years Monarch has updated its lodge and expanded parking, moves that will enable the resort to absorb any growth in visits that the No Name project may inspire.