Monarch Report

[Jack Nixon]

Skied Monarch Pass in Colorado Saturday 11/29 in full sunshine. Monarch
is 100% real snow and they claimed 24"s at midway and 29" at the top.
The lifts are pokey fixed grip chairs, but all of'em were running. At
Monarch all = 5 so no need to be overly impressed. The snow cover was
good though there were thin spots and really high speed cruising was
inadvisable. Most all the green trails looked to be groomed as were many
blues and at least one black diamond. Monarchs idea of a black diamond
is not the same as many areas. Pretty steep and straight isn't
necessarily black diamond. We found a nice but short bump run near the
top, which is the Continental Divide. Views are exceptional, see the
trail map for details.

The liftees and other employees I had contact with were all friendly,
and the facilities in good shape. Even the parking lot is decent -- no
mud or flowing water. It's a fine little ski area. Too bad more people
don't get to experience it.

Saw a patrolman enjoying the powder under a lift find a large rock. He
was launched when one ski stopped dead, did a forward flip and then lit
head first in the snow. Since the snow wasn't all too deep, it looked
very painful.

Jack