After extending its 2020-21 season by a week, Monarch Mountain closed its season Sunday, setting a record for visitor numbers despite the coronavirus pandemic. Randy Stroud, Monarch general manager, said in setting its season record, it broke the 200,000 mark for the first time. The pandemic-shortened 2019-20 season was Monarchâs next best year. âI sort of felt we were in position for a good year,â Stroud said, âjust by what we saw last summer, with the number of people getting into the outdoors, camping, hiking, etc.â Monarch opened on Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving, and operated 136 days for the season, which is the areaâs average days of operation. The 2019 season started Nov. 1.