ATTENTION SNOW ENTHUSIASTS!!! Conditions at both Monarch and Angel Fire are primo!!!
Angel Fire is 100% open and locals there state that they haven’t seen a winter like this since the 70’s. The website touts a 56 inch base (they need a visit by Penelope Shagnasty, Base Monitor) but they have good coverage and as usual, great grooming. This years daily rate is $52, with Seniors (70 yrs and better) and Children (6 and under) FREE! There are no weekday deals to be had anywhere. They are celebrating their 40th season and 40 year old people can ski free all winter. Additionally they offer a Sunday Only Season Pass, for just $129. I, however, refuse to ski with hoards of Texans on weekend. No offense intended…it’s just that when working Texans are on a 2-3 day weekend its balls to the walls and ya’all better not get in their way!!! We have had season’s passes there for 4 years and even after the abysmal season they had last year, 4 runs open TOTAL, they raised their early season rates from $199 to $299. They claimed to have offered $199 rates very early on but did not send out renewal notices as before and would not extend that offer to their faithful weekday pass holders after the alleged deadline. That kinda irked me so we bought season’s passes at Monarch this year.
Monarch is about twice as far away as Angel Fire but more friendly and has more intermediate runs. You can day ski here but it makes for a pretty long day but on dry roads very doable. We leave early and arrive around 9:30, ski all day and then stay over night. Then ski all the next day and drive back. Jerry Colaner has negotiated a rate for the “Trinidad Ski Club” at the Travelodge in Salida of $39 + tax per couple. They also allow well behaved dogs for an additional $5 per dog. As previously mentioned, we were able to purchase season’s passes for $249 if purchased in May, I believe. They also offered and early seasons pass for seniors (62-69) at a rate of $139!!! Seniors 70 or over ski free. The daily adult rate is $49. If a season’s pass holder brings a “buddy” the buddy can ski for $37. AND…the best kept secret…the Shell station on Hwy 50, around the corner from Poncha Springs, offers a 2 for 1 coupon with a purchase of $10 of gas. Monarch also offers “incentives” to buy a season pass including 3 free days at Angel Fire & Crested Butte as well as offers for reduced rentals at various places and discounted meals in Salida. So this makes Monarch the better deal for the 2006-2007 season.
We have many new skiers on the ranch this year and always welcome others to join us. Know that we NEVER ski on weekends and our trips are all weather dependent due to the distance traveled.
Stay tuned for photos of upcoming trips and watch for new faces!!!
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