Monarch Mountain Previews No Name Basin Expansion
Photo and editorial contribution by Scott Clarkson from SnoCountry.com
Monarch Mountain is a place where the snow comes deep and dry, the crowds stay refreshingly light, and the terrain offers something for everyone. The much-anticipated No Name Basin Expansion is a powder-filled paradise straddling the Continental Divide that retains the raw, untouched character Monarch is known for—only now, there’s more of it.
Scott Clarkson, visiting on behalf of SnoCountry.com, had the chance to enjoy a sneak peek of the sneaky peak. Stepping out of the snowcat for the preview was a profound experience, "As a lifelong skier who has carved turns across the Green, White, Sierra and Rocky Mountains, Monarch Mountain has come to hold a special place in my heart."
A New Frontier in Familiar Territory
The No Name Expansion, Monarch’s largest terrain addition in decades, increases the skiable acreage by a whopping 377 acres, about a 50% increase to the 670 lift-served acres enjoyed today. Located on the mountain’s northeast side and within the Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison (GMUG) National Forest, the expansion brings skiers and snowboarders into what was once backcountry-only terrain. Unlike many resort expansions that smooth out the natural features, No Name keeps its rugged soul intact, delivering groomers, glades, and powder stashes that make you feel like you’ve earned every turn. Riding the Breezeway lift up, the anticipation builds—trees dotting the basin opening into groomed cruisers with steady pitch, sweeping northern and western vistas, and snow so deep it swallows your skis whole.
The Terrain: A Dream for Intermediate and Advanced Skiers
Once you reach the top, take a moment to soak it in. The San Juan and Sawatch ranges stretch endlessly on the horizon, a reminder of how wild this area truly is. From here, the options are vast.
Clarkson shared his approach to exploring No Name Basin at a media event last month:
“I started with the west-most unnamed trail in No Name Basin… a gentle easterly bend that had been catching wind-blown snow all morning. It rode like a dream—edge sinking corduroy turns with plenty of room to let loose. Later, I followed my powder-seeking senses and ducked into the glades off the eastern side of the east-most cut trail. There I found perfectly spaced glades with pillow lines and pockets of untouched powder. It was the kind of skiing that feels effortless, like the mountain is working with you instead of against you.”
Why No Name is a Game Changer for Monarch
Monarch has always been a locals’ mountain, a place where powder lasts for days and corporate resort vibes don’t exist. The No Name Expansion is the kind of skiing that Monarch purists have been craving—a place where you can momentarily escape, finding your inner peace without the pressure of high-speed lifts and big crowds. For those willing to explore, No Name Basin offers a natural playground of blue steeps, glades, and deep snow, but it doesn’t feel developed. The new fixed-grip triple chairlift - scheduled to drop this summer and yet to be named - will serve the No Name terrain efficiently. There’s a new element of discovery brewing at Monarch— stashes to be found, secret lines to explore, and that sense of adventure that makes skiing and riding feel pure. The expansion also makes Monarch competitive with larger resorts. While it lacks the mega-resort infrastructure of Summit County, that’s exactly the appeal. No Name gives Monarch skiers access to bigger, more challenging terrain while maintaining their commitment to short lift lines and reasonable ticket prices (as low as $69).
Final Verdict: No Name Delivers
After a full-but-chilly morning exploring No Name, Scott’s legs were burning and his face was frozen in a permanent grin. “This expansion isn’t just more terrain—it’s more Monarch. If you love steeper, deeper, bluer cruisers, No Name is calling your name. And trust me, you’ll want to answer.”
Named for the No Name Creek that runs below, rumor has it that each of the trails in the basin will, in fact, get a name. The new terrain is scheduled to open for the '25/26 ski season.
