Power outage at Monarch kept frustrated skiers from the heaviest snow in the state Sunday
- Details
- Created on Monday, 28 February 2011 15:36
- Written by R. Scott Rappold
By R. Scott Rappold, The Gazette
Central Colorado's Monarch Mountain had the heaviest snow in Colorado this weekend, powder measured in the feet, which drew skiers from around the state.
But Sunday, thousands left disappointed, as a power outage kept the lifts from running, on a day when the resort's parking lot was full.
"It was really hard, not my best day at Monarch," said marketing director Greg Ralph.
While many ski resorts got a few inches of snow Friday and Saturday, Monarch reported 23 inches Saturday morning, with many spots on the mountain much deeper. Ralph said at least 2,500 skiers showed up, and by 10:30 a.m. the parking lot was full and officials turned people away.
With snow continuing to fall - another 12 inches by Sunday morning - word spread among the skiing community, and throngs again packed the parking lot.
But the night before, a snowcat hit a transformer while grooming the mountain, cutting power. Ralph said the operator did not see the transformer in the heavy snow.
Mountain officials initially expected the problem to be fixed, and put out word through social media the lifts would open by 10 a.m. Power was restored to the area by 9:30, and they were selling lift tickets.
But after utility crews left, the power went down again - and stayed off. Ralph said there was only power to a few areas, excluding the lifts. They couldn't even serve hot food, though the bar was opened for the skiers milling about and waiting.
Some chose to hike up to ski. Others hit the bar. And many went on the Internet to voice their displeasure.
Lamented one skier on the website skireport.com:
"Utterly disappointing. 4 feet of powder in the last three days, and none of the lifts were running by 2:00. The lift tickets weren't printing until 10:00, the lifts weren't on until about 10:10, and they shut off at 10:30 or so and didn't come back on the rest of the morning. An epic powder day totally wasted."
Posted on Monarch's Facebook page:
"why didn't you tweet or FB when the power went out again? you were so quick to let us know it was fixed after the first time...you might have saved some of us a wasted trip and some money as well ... very JV."
The resort gave refunds to people who bought tickets and rented gear, and by 12:30 p.m. they made the announcement the power would not be restored. The lifts were running as usual Monday.
Raph said resort officials are considering ways to make it up to the skiing community.
"It was a tough weekend," Ralph said. "Today obviously is still great conditions because nobody was on it yesterday."
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