In October 2022, Monarch Mountain purchased the Monarch Crest and Scenic Tramway at the top of Monarch Pass. The 10,800 sq. ft. space has been remodeled with an entirely new look to include a Visitor Center, a retail store and a restaurant (Freshies). Opening is scheduled for Friday, May 19, 2023, with the tramway opening sometime mid-summer. Whether you’re driving by, hiking through, mountain biking or just coming up to enjoy the views, Monarch Mountain at the Crest is a destination worth stopping for.
The original giftshop and restaurant known as the Monarch Crest was opened in 1954 by Elmo Bevington, along with George Cope, a former Colorado state highway patrolman and Gunnison County Sheriff who often patrolled Monarch Pass. Cope had gotten wind that the USFS was offering up some land at the top of the pass for someone to open a hamburger stand. He contacted Bevington, and the two leased five acres from the Forest Service with an agreement to pay a small percentage of the profits to them. The original business was also a rest stop for Greyhound buses making the journey over the pass, allowing the overworked engines to cool down while passengers disembarked for some high-altitude grub.
After the rebuild, the Fortune’s sold the business to their parents, Tal and Doris Ruttham, in 1989. The restaurant never reopened. Instead, a snack bar in the gift shop offered ice cream, homemade fudge and other food items.
In 1994, the operation was sold to Jim and Deanne Littrell, and then to their daughter, Edie, and her husband, Jerry Schoenfeld.
The tramway’s drive system was renovated in 2015 when it was outfitted with an electric motor similar to other ski lifts, says Schoenfeld.
In early 2022, Monarch Mountain’s (the skiing/snowboarding/tubing area a couple miles down the east side of the pass) General Manager Randy Stroud contacted Edie Schoenfeld about parking Shredder’s, one of ski area’s food trucks, up at the Crest for the summer months. Edie informed Randy that the Crest and Tramway were up for sale and under contract. That contract fell through and in October of 2022, Monarch Mountain purchased the Crest primarily for much needed parking space during the winter months. A new vision of the Crest was born from the mind of Monarch’s GM, Randy Stroud, to include a full remodel of the interior, a sit-down restaurant, outside deck, tramway upgrade, new retail space, and an informative and educational Visitor Center. The remodel began immediately after the purchase and the new Monarch Mountain at the Crest is targeted for reopening in May of 2023.
Monarch Mountain at the Crest is an equal opportunity provider and operates under a special use permit with the Pike San Isabel National forest.
(719) 539-5091
Crest@SkiMonarch.com
24500 US50, Salida CO, 81201