Ski/cross-country/snowshoe Monarch/Salida Jan 11-16

In a repeat of a classic outing, let's head north over the Martin Luther King holiday weekend downhill/ crosscountry/ snowshoe around Monarch Pass. Although this might not be the greatest snow season in New Mexico, Monarch should offer something, and reports 22" on the ground as of Dec. 10 – more than one will find in New Mexico. We will head for Salida to establish a base in a comfortable house, and spend our days in winter sports in the Monarch Pass area. Some of the Pajarito season passes offer three free days at Monarch, Monarch is free for age 69 and up, and otherwise tickets are relatively inexpensive online. Monarch is a high Continental Divide ski area with wonderful views, and is skiing of the old fashioned kind, without the glitz and expense one finds farther north in Colorado. There are several snowshoe/XC options; a classic is the old Monarch Pass trail. More options can be seen at https://primary-chaffeeco.simpleviewcms.com/outdoors/winter-activities/s.... Salida is an interesting town with some nice restaurants. There are even hiking options along the Arkansas River if we have a warm day.

We will drive up in the afternoon on Wednesday, January 11, and stay in a house that I have reserved for five nights. We spend three full days doing winter sports, and will return on the holiday Monday, January 16, perhaps squeezing in a morning outing of some sort. Please let me know at bill@priedhorsky.net if you are interested. I would appreciate a $300 deposit per bedroom to make the house deposit. The 4 bedroom house will cost $1250, and we will divide up costs in some fair way. If we fill the house we will look for a second one. These have been wonderful weekends in the past, and I expect another.