Sacred Ground vs Ski Expansion | How Monarch Mountain Protected Both

Monarch Mountain just completed the No Name Basin Expansion, the biggest ski terrain expansion in Colorado in two decades—adding nearly 400 acres and a brand-new Tomichi triple chairlift—without raising pre-bought season pass prices. But the story behind this project goes far beyond new ski runs. Mountain Manager Chris Haggerty walks us through the years-long Forest Service approval process, the discovery and protection of prehistoric Ute hunting grounds dating back 5,000 years, and how Monarch stayed true to its independent, family-friendly values while delivering one of the most significant terrain expansions in the ski industry. 00:00 - Intro and Meet Chris! 14:25 - How Forest Service Permits Work on Public Land 28:00 - The No Name Basin Expansion: Full Story 34:15 - 5,000-Year-Old Ute Hunting Grounds & Heritage Protection 37:45 - The New Tomichi Lift: Design & Philosophy 46:25 - Season Pass Pricing: Why No Increase After Significant Investment 50:30 - Keeping Skiing Affordable for Families WHAT WE COVER: • The No Name Basin expansion: 377 acres, 10 new runs, 1,000 vertical feet • How Monarch protected 5,000-year-old Ute game drives during construction • Forest Service Master Development Plans and heritage site studies • Why Monarch chose a fixed-grip lift over high-speed detachable • Season pass pricing strategy: no increase despite massive expansion • Staying independent in an era of corporate consolidation • Water Dog Divide archaeological sites and indigenous history • Grooming operations, winch cats, and mountain logistics • Why Monarch refuses to add snowmaking (and why that matters) • The difference between corporate resorts and independent mountains ABOUT MONARCH MOUNTAIN: Monarch Mountain (Salida, Colorado) is one of the last independently owned and operated ski resorts in Colorado. With 800 skiable acres (now 1,200+ with No Name), 100% natural snow, no base village, and no parking fees, Monarch represents an increasingly rare model in the ski industry: a family-friendly, affordable mountain committed to its local community. ABOUT CHRIS HAGGERTY: Chris Haggerty is the General Manager of Monarch Mountain, bringing over 20 years of ski industry experience from Mountain Creek Resort (New Jersey) and Vail Resorts. Under his leadership (along with an amazing tea, Monarch completed its No Name Basin expansion two days ahead of schedule while maintaining its commitment to affordability and accessibility. SCOTT'S BLOG: https://skimonarch.com/scotts-blog/ - KEYWORDS: Monarch Mountain, No Name Basin, Chris Haggerty, Tomichi lift, Ute game drive, 5000 year old sacred sites, Forest Service permits, ski expansion Colorado, independent ski resort, affordable skiing, Salida Colorado, Chaffee County, public land skiing, heritage site protection, ski resort development, Continental Divide skiing, fixed grip chairlift, season pass pricing, family ski resort, archaeological sites Colorado, indigenous history, ethical development, Colorado outdoor recreation