Hotel Directory > United States Hotels > Colorado Hotels > Salida, CO Hotels

This is the current conditions weather report for Salida. The report was made 13 minutes ago, at 07:42 UTC. The temperature was 18°F / -8°C, with a dew-point at 18°F / -8°C. The atmospheric pressure was 30.18 inHg / 1023 hPa. The relative humidity was 86%. The skies were overcast with heavy snow.

Salida is a city in Chaffee County, Colorado, United States. The population was 5,504 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Chaffee County.

Founded in 1880, Salida was originally a railroad town and was a significant link in the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad. After World War II the railroad began pulling back its operations in Salida. Many residents in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s worked either in local ranching operations or commuted north to Leadville to work at the Climax Molybdenum Company. Today the most prominent business in Salida is tourism, consisting of skiing at Monarch ski area, whitewater rafting, kayaking and outfitting, particularly on the Arkansas River. Salida is home to the annual FIBArk kayak race, one of the oldest and most prestigious whitewater races in North America.

Monarch Ski Area:
Location: Colorado, USA
Nearest city: Salida, Colorado
Top elevation: 11961 ft (3646 m)
Base elevation: 10790 ft (3289 m)
Skiable area: 800 acres (3.24 km²)
Runs: 54 total
14% beginner
28% Intermediate
27% Advanced
31% Expert
Longest run: 1 mile (1.61 km)
Lift system: 5 total (1 quad chair, 4 double chairs
Terrain parks: 2
Snow fall: 350 in/year (889 cm/year)

Monarch Ski and Snowboard Area is located on U.S. Highway 50. It is twenty miles west of Salida, Colorado, on Monarch Pass and has 54 trails, two terrain parks, and a newly-opened Extreme-Terrain area. The Monarch Mountain Lodge is located three miles east of the ski area in the picturesque town of Garfield, Colorado. Many people call this ski area "Colorado's Best-Kept Secret", due to its great terrain and clandestineness that makes for short lift lines and less crowds.

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