Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area is an intimate, family-oriented ski area located in south central Colorado near Salida. Services include a ski and snowboarding school offering group and private lessons, a children's center, and a lodge with plenty of seating and a variety of food and drinks. Monarch relies on an annual average of 350" of snowfall to cover its 670 acres of terrain, with trails ranging in difficulty from beginner to expert. Monarch also offers guided snowcat tours on an additional 900 acres of backcountry. Lots to do here, including snowmobiling, ice fishing, and snowshoeing. A visit to Salida gives shop-a-holics a chance to do their worst. A new mountain village is in the works.

None at the Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area. Monarch Mountain Lodge is located three miles east of the ski area. There are a variety of lodging options, from budget hotels to B&B's, located in Salida, just 18 miles east of the ski area.

For the outdoor enthusiast, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, ice fishing, snowcat tours, year around hiking and mountain biking are available. For those looking for a break from the outdoors, there are hot springs and wide range of one-of-a-kind shops and galleries in the Salida, Buena Vista area.