A comparatively small ski area in Colorado has big hopes for the future.

That’s clear from Monarch Mountain’s proposed master development plan, which was recently filed by the U.S. Forest Service. The land-owning agency will now review projects outlined in the 108-page document, including upgrades to lifts and facilities, expanded parking and trails and new summer attractions. 

The ultimate aim remains the same: “keeping the soul of Monarch alive,” the ski area’s director of strategy and safety, Zach Moore, said in a news release. 

Monarch is one of the state’s last ski areas to rely on all-natural snow. The release indicated it would continue to do so as it “continues to believe natural snow delivers the best possible skiing experience.” 

But the master plan outlines the possibility for snowmaking ー “intended solely to cover all long-term planning scenarios,” according to the news release. “Monarch will not pursue it unless conditions leave no other option.”

Conditions were historically dry this past winter as operators nonetheless sounded firmly against snowmaking. Asked about it at the end of the season that was late to start and early to finish, owner Bob Nicolls added a curse word in front of “no.” 

Still, the master plan identifies water rights and infrastructure to achieve snowmaking. It’s listed among potential “phase three” projects of the three-phase plan described as a “10-to-15-year road map.” 

Phase one projects include adding a rope tow at the top of the Breezeway lift as another way to get visitors into No Name Basin, the backside terrain that debuted this past season. Other top priorities listed are expanding the day lodge and constructing a 381-seat building at Pano Flats to increase dining space and spread out guests. 

Except for the new Tomichi lift, Monarch seeks to replace all other chairlifts said to range between 30 and 60 years old. And the plan envisions a new detachable quad: the Divide Express, granting visitors a bottom-to-top ride without connecting stops. 

Along with the Pano Flats building, the plan envisions a 71-seat Summit Hut “taking advantage of stunning views.” The plan also details “small terrain improvements” for better circulation, mostly focused around beginner areas. 

A bigger emphasis regards parking. The plan tallies 244 spots needed and, to make room for more, requests an expansion of its boundary currently permitted by the Forest Service. 

Monarch projects the upgrades and new facilities would bump its “comfortable carrying capacity” of 3,530 guests to 5,780. This would continue a growing trend the ski area has reported over the years. 

Between 2013 and 2019, Monarch tracked average visitation per season around 175,000. Over the past five years, that number has been closer to 213,000. 

“To meet increasing demand and continue to provide a quality ski experience, Monarch has identified the need to continue expanding and enhancing both on-mountain and base area facilities,” the plan states. 

Another goal: “non-ski winter recreation offerings to diversify the resort business year-round.” Mountain biking trails, zip lines, an aerial adventure course, a via ferrata and a mountain coaster are mentioned as possibilities. 

They along with all other proposals would be possibilities only with the Forest Service’s approval, Monarch’s recent news release emphasized. 

The plan is “conceptual,” the release stated, “and every individual project must still undergo a separate National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review before moving forward.”