This itinerary blends high-elevation adventure at Monarch Mountain with relaxed valley stops across Chaffee County. Spend your first day on the slopes of No Name Basin, then keep day two flexible with options that balance snow time and recovery. It’s a great way to experience winter in the region without overloading your schedule.

Get an early start and drive straight to Monarch Mountain to beat peak traffic. Morning arrivals improve parking access and maximize time on the hill, especially on powder days.

Spend the day hitting the slopes of the freshly unlocked, expansive terrain of No Name Basin, the mountain’s newest addition. No Name expands Monarch’s footprint by 377 acres, offering longer descents across a mix of groomed and ungroomed conditions. 

If you want an alternative to downhill skiing, give Monarch Mountain’s Tubing Park a whirl, open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and select dates during the winter. 

After a full day on the snow, make your way to Salida, where a winter evening downtown serves as a calm transition from the mountain’s adrenaline. Enjoy locally owned dining and swap stories about the day’s highlight-worthy runs.

Grab a quick breakfast, then decide how you’d like to spend the second day. Head back to Monarch for another unforgettable session on No Name Basin, or pop by Monarch Snowmobile Tours & Rentals for a guided snowmobile tour. (Make sure to call ahead to book the tour.)

From there, carry on to Buena Vista. Enjoy a walk down historic Main Street to explore all the creative shopping opportunities, followed by a peaceful stroll along the Arkansas River.

Wrap up the trip with a restorative soak at one of the four hot springs available in Salida and Buena Vista, where naturally heated pools provide an easy counterpoint to two days of high adventure.

Winter travel on Monarch Pass can vary throughout the season. Monitoring conditions, arriving at Monarch Mountain early, and building flexibility into your itinerary help keep the experience smooth. By pairing Monarch Mountain and No Name Basin with valley-based alternatives in Salida, Poncha Springs, and Buena Vista, you can enjoy Chaffee County’s winter landscape regardless of how the day unfolds.