Monarch's No Name Expansion Is Finally Underway

Monarch Mountain, Colorado, recently announced the U.S. Forest Service's approval of an expansion that has been in the making for over a decade.

More specifically, the resort received approval to expand their special use permit boundary into the No Name Basin. Check out the expansion from above, below.

According to a press release sent to POWDER, this expansion will add 377 acres of skiable terrain on the west side of the Continental Divide. This terrain is currently used by Monarch Cat Skiing operations and will offer access to traditionally cleared trails and intermediate to advanced-level, gladed terrain.

The effects this development would have on the natural resources were under examination for three years by the San Isabel and Gunnison National Forests. The findings resulted in the project being okayed, given that there were "no significant impact with special consideration given to sensitive cultural resources and wetlands in the area."

In other positive news, the project is actually expected to improve forest health and hazardous fuels reduction through removing timber that has been affected by the spruce beetle epidemic.

According to the Colorado State Forest Service , the spruce beetle has affected 1.84 million cumulative acres in Colorado from 1996 through 2018. Approximately 40 percent of the state's spruce-fir forest ecosystems have been affected since 2000.

Monarch Mountain, COO and General Manager, Randy Stroud said, "this has truly been a labor of love. We learned a lot during the process and have an in-depth appreciation of the State Historical Preservation group and the Federal Advisory Council on Historical Preservation."

"We plan to work together along with the Forest Service on continuing education with regard to the importance of preservation of all cultural aspects of the area and beyond. That process has been rewarding.  So, now on with the crux of the matter... more room for skiing and riding. Time to get to work."

Monarch plans to begin the expansion in July, 2024. Their construction goals are to build the access road, extend the power line, and begin cutting runs.

Additionally, next summer, Monarch plans to install a 3-person 2,700-feet-long fixed grip lift with a warming hut and restroom facility. There is a lot in the works at Monarch, but none of this came about overnight. It has been a long and careful process, and things will continue to develop over the coming years.

Related: Mt. Baldy Spared from Vista Fire

Be the first to read breaking ski news with POWDER. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected with the latest happenings in the world of skiing. From ski resort news to profiles of the world’s best skiers, we are committed to keeping you informed.

Submit your best clips for a chance to be featured on POWDER. Tune in and watch handpicked, high-quality ski videos streaming all day long on POWDER TV , and subscribe to our YouTube channel .