The trails have been cut. The chairlift is ready. And finally, the snow came.

It’s time for perhaps the most anticipated terrain expansion in Monarch Mountain’s 87 years.

An opening celebration is set for No Name Basin on Thursday — what the ski area described as “a historic milestone” in its announcement.

That morning, the Breezeway Lift will take skiers and riders toward the top of the Continental Divide, where they will drop nearly 1,000 feet into intermediate and advanced terrain consisting of “natural fall lines, wide-open descents and fun tree islands,” according to a news release. A dozen runs will be served by the new Tomichi Lift as part of a vision outlined in Monarch’s 2011 master plan.

But the dream of lift-served skiing on the other side of the Continental Divide dates back longer, Bob Nicolls said in a previous interview — predating his ownership starting in 2002.

“I won’t even put it in terms of years,” he said. “It’s going to be a tremendous addition to Monarch, while keeping Monarch in the same genre that it’s always been.”

Also: Colorado snowpack falls to record low with slim chance of recovery

From snowmaking to luxury development, the ski area has proudly rebelled against other industry trends. Though, one trend has carried over: Monarch has not been able to resist occasional crowding in recent years of reported record visitation.

That visitation has sent a clear message to Nicolls and his team: “The public likes what we’re offering,” he said, “and we want to offer a little bit more.”

Hence No Name Basin — 377 acres that the U.S. Forest Service approved in 2024, adding to the 769 acres under Monarch’s special use permit.

The idea is to spread out people in an experience billed as “distinctly Colorado.” Monarch is calling itself “one of the few ski areas in North America to offer skiing on both sides of the Continental Divide.”

“It’s beyond rewarding to see it come together,” General Manager Chris Haggerty added in the news release, “and we’re excited for everyone to experience this new terrain for the first time.”

The release said the first chairs on the Tomichi Lift would be for the first visitors in line at the Breezeway Lift, which will open at 9 a.m. A ribbon-cutting celebration is set atop the Tomichi Lift, complete with live music and giveaways.

Monarch reported adding 15 inches of snow over the past week, helping a snowpack that has struggled here and all across Colorado. Statewide levels have hovered around record lows for this time of year.

Toward the bottom of No Name Basin, “conditions may be variable,” according to the news release, “and guests are advised to use caution, particularly near road cuts while enjoying the terrain.”