FLAGSTAFF, Ariz.
Arizona is known for being hot in the summer, mild in the winter, for cactus and the desert, and outdoor activities such as golf and hiking.
Here’s one that tends to go under the radar: Skiing.
That’s right, skiing. And not just a rope tow for kids to take a five-second ride down to the family land.
Massive mountains that appear to be plucked out of the Colorado Rockies. Multiple chair lifts, even a quad or two. Runs ranging from conveyor-belt beginners to tree skiing and hike-and-ski bowls above the tree line.
“People come to Arizona and they’re shocked; they’re surprised that we even have skiing,” Arizona Snowbowl general manager J.R. Murray said. “Then when they come and see the mountain and how great it is, they really are pleasantly surprised.”
The Arizona Snowbowl may become popular with Durango locals, as new Purgatory Resort owner James Coleman also operates the Snowbowl. Purgatory Power Pass holders get unlimited days at the ski area in Flagstaff.
What Arizona doesn’t have is a lot of choices. The Grand Canyon State has four downhill skiing areas: Snowbowl and Elk Ridge in northern Arizona, Sunrise Park near the New Mexico state line and Mount Lemmon above Tucson.
Snowbowl is the only ski area with snowmaking capabilities – it was added in 2012 – but snow hasn’t been a problem this season.
After years of drought and hit or miss snow on the mountains, Arizona ski areas have reaped the benefits of El Niño as one storm after another has moved across the state. Snowbowl was 100 percent open around the Christmas holiday and had 58 inches of snow from a series of storms the second week in January, creating some “rad” conditions across the mountain.
“We elevated to almost epic conditions with all that fresh snow,” Murray said. “The skiing in Arizona right now is as good as it gets.”
An added benefit is the deals that can be had.
High season in towns such as Flagstaff and Greer, where Sunrise Park is located, is in the summer, when people in the southern part of the state head north to cool off. So while hotel rates can be exorbenant down in the Valley of the Sun and Tucson, deals are there to be had in the mountains, leaving extra money to ski multiple days or dinner.
“You really can get some great deals,” Murray said.
The factsDownhill ski areas in Arizona
ARIZONA SNOWBOWL
Location: Flagstaff, about two hours north of Phoenix
Size: five lifts (a high-speed lift will be added for next season) and two conveyors, 32 trails
Terrain: 37 percent beginner, 42 intermediate, 21 advanced, including a hike-to-ski-bowl above the tree line
Base elevation: 9,200 feet
Vertical drop: 2,300 feet
Lift tickets: $69 adult, $59 teen, $39 child. Half day, $55/$45/$39
Season: November-April
Snowmaking: Yes
SUNRISE PARK RESORT
Location: Greer, near the Arizona/New Mexico state line; about four hours from Phoenix, just under four from Albuquerque.
Size: 10 lifts, 65 trails.
Terrain: 40 percent beginner, 40 intermediate, 20 advanced
Base elevation: 9,200 feet
Vertical drop: 1,800 feet
Lift tickets: $66 adult, $56 child. Half day $52/$44
Season: November-April
Snowmaking: No
MOUNT LEMMON SKI VALLEY
Location: Just east of Tucson
Size: Three lifts, 22 trails
Terrain: 23 percent beginner, 41 intermediate, 36 advanced
Base elevation: 8,200 feet
Vertical drop: 950 feet
Lift tickets: $40 adult, $20 child. Half day $35/$15
Season: December-April
Snowmaking: No
ELK RIDGE
Location: Williams, about 30 minutes west of Flagstaff.
Size: Two lifts, 12 trails
Terrain: 30 percent beginner, 50 intermediate, 20 advanced.
Base elevation: 7,500 feet
Vertical drop: 600 feet
Lift tickets: $30 adult, $25 kids. Half day $25/$20.
Season: December-March
Snowmaking: No
