Jason Blevins speaks to Monarch’s goodness. Full Denver Post article here.
MONARCH — The grins are wide and the laughter loud as the Sno-Cat releases a swarm of skiers eager for yet another powdery descent. This is not a typical shareholder meeting.
The ski-shod owners of Monarch ski area — four principals who own 75 percent and 10 locals who share the other quarter — have little to discuss and lots to celebrate
Since they took over the 800-acre hill in 2002, Monarch has thrived. Thanks to about $6 million in cash-flowed investment, visitation has climbed 32 percent — from nearly 140,000 in 2002 to a record 185,000 skier visits last year — and revenue has doubled, delivering the ownership team handsome and unexpected dividends during an economic downturn that has pinched most other resorts. Plans for another $8.5 million in expansion and upgrades are set for the next five years. ...read the full article
Perhaps one of the Monarch’s owners can speak in more detail to Citizen readers about expansion plans? (comment below)
The mountain is in great shape right now! Get up there!
I am very fortunate to have found Monarch Mountain. When I applied for the marketing director position I came in with a plan and knowing that my experience could help the area achieve its goals and become financially sustainable. The ownership group that Monarch has is completely committed to improving the skiing experience to the point that we will incur significant debt to fulfill our growth plan.
The investments that are being made in Salida businesses have also benefited Monarch. As more and new; restaurants, hotels, vacation rentals, retailers and galleries have opened Salida has become a viable multi-day destination. The increasing winter visitors to Monarch and Salida benefit all of Chaffee County.
Jason’s words are amazing! Thanks!
Regarding Greg’s post. We are even more fortunate to have someone with his professionalism, talent and experience as part of our team. It has been exciting watching the fruits of his innovation pay off.
When I first came to this valley what seems like too many years ago there was an interesting winter sport… Monarch bashing! It seemed everyone had worked there at least once, some more than once. It also seemed that much of the bashing was well deserved. However that did not change the fact that an advanced degree was not required to see how important Monarch was to the health and well being of the community especially during the winter months. I was so surprised to see how untapped and under appreciated each entity was: the mountain and the community. Much goes into creating a biography and there is always enough responsibility to share. But in reality we need each other to reach our maximum potential. In my view that is one of our highest priorities: to approach maximum potential.
Enough said. Greg is a great member of our team, Rich Morehead has time and again through his leadership and his experience benefited our ownership group greatly. Bob Nicolls deserves a great deal of credit for discovering such an opportunity with untapped potential and we are all excited about what lies ahead.
We should each work towards a win-win scenario. What benefits the mountain and the community should be our focus.
Howard Zinn and others have appropriately warned us that history is written by the victors. In retrospect it is hard to even recollect what the Monarch Bashing was about. What is exciting is what lies ahead. It will take the combining of the energies of the mountain and the community to realize our maximum potential.
I for one am happy to be a part of it!
Don Jackson
Innkeeper, Salida Super 8
Proud Monarch Partner