A family mountain located 30 minutes from Salida in the Sawatch Range of the Colorado Central Rockies, Monarch Mountain is a great choice for a low-key ski destination away from the crowds. From groomed runs, to glades (both gentle and twisty), to hike-to backcountry and cat ski terrain, this mid-sized mountain definitely has enough variety to satisfy. The best part is that the snow stays pretty dry, so even on cold, sunny days (of which there are plenty!) it doesn’t ice up nearly as much as you’d think, making for excellent conditions with bluebird skies.
| Total Lifts | 7 |
| Trails | 67 total / 59 lift served / 8 hike-to (Mirkwood) |
| Total skiable acres | 800 |
| Base Elevation | 10,790 feet |
| Summit Elevation | 11,952 feet |
| Vertical Drop | 1,162 feet |
Vegan at Monarch Mountain
A smaller day-skiing mountain without on-site lodging, Monarch nevertheless offers a substantial lodge at the base of its mountain, complete with a sports shop, coffee shop, two bars, plenty of meeting spaces and seating areas, and a number of dining options.
The following information is up-to-date as of 3/24/2023.
Java Stop Coffee Shop
Open daily 7:30AM – 4:30PM
A full coffee shop with ample seating. Food-wise, there is nothing vegan here, though for your drinks, dairy-free milks are available – but at a $2 upcharge (boooooooooo).
Fly-By Burritos
Open 10:00am – 3:30pm, Fri-Sun and Holidays
This food truck on the back patio of the lodge makes for an easy lunch to take on the go and eat while sitting on the lift. (No time to waste, am I right?) The service is quick and friendly, and there are 2 vegetarian burritos on the menu: peppers & onions, and Impossible beef. Be sure to ask for no cheese to make it vegan. And beware — the habanero hot sauce is indeed very hot!
Elmo’s Bar
Open 9:00 – 3:00, Fri-Sun and Holidays
A good option for a bloody Mary, but if you’re looking for more solid vegan options, skip Elmo’s and head to Sidewinder Saloon instead.
Sidewinder Saloon
Open daily 10:30AM – 5:30PM
On the top floor of the base, this saloon offers lunch and happy hour specials ever day. The full menu is only available before happy hour, and includes several salads and an impossible burger (which should be specifically ordered vegan, as the default comes on a brioche bun). If you’re stopping in after the lifts close at 4pm, the limited happy hour menu includes vegan cauliflower wings, two type of Nachos (for which you can sub the cheese and sour cream for extra guac), and a multitude of fried things to keep you thirsty for another pitcher.
GunBarrel Cafeteria
Been here before? Share your experience with [email protected] and your input could help future Vegan Outside readers!
Open 11:00 – 2:00, Fri-Sun and Holidays
A dining hall style cafeteria, I believe there is a veggie burger and fries available here. Readers, let me know if you’ve had success eating vegan here!
Vegan in Salida
Only 30 minutes from Monarch and nestled between the Sawatch and San Juan Mountains, Salida is a charming base from which to ski, hike, mountain bike, raft, and more. Its popularity has exploded in recent years amongst adventure seekers of all disciplines, nature lovers, and music fiends. Vegan options are slim but growing in Salida. Here are some stand outs.
Bunny and Clyde’s
This cute cafe and coffee shop is a newer addition to Salida, and it’s such a welcome one! Vegan breakfast burritos stuffed with roasted broccoli, sweet potato, and other goodies are pre-made and kept hot, making for the most delightful and healthful grab-and-go burritos you may ever meet in your life. Also, vegan biscuits and gravy! Need I say more? (Let me say one more thing– vegan & gluten-free pastries too!)
For lunch, there are a variety of vegan Indian curries, as well as a great selection of deli salads in grab and go. The smoothies are also light, refreshing, and delicious. (Can you tell I love this place?)
Moonlight Pizza
This pizza shop has vegan cheese, an on-site brewery, and good environmentally- and socially-conscious vibes. On Mondays, 10% of proceeds go to a local organization benefiting the community. Small businesses with a conscious deserve all the support!
