Arizona Snow Play

When the snow starts to fall, Arizonans head out to Arizona snow play areas for sledding, tubing, snowball fights, making snowmen or just to wonder at the powdery white stuff.

An event like Phoenix snow is very rare. And, even if snow does fall in Phoenix, there won't be very much and it won’t last for very long.

So, if you want to see Arizona snow, you have to head up to Arizona's high country.

For Phoenix area residents, the Flagstaff area is one of the most popular regions for Arizona snow play.

Tucson residents and visitors don't have to travel very far during winter to reach Arizona snow.

All they have to do is drive an hour up to the pine-forested top of the Santa Catalina Mountains.

This rugged, dramatic mountain range rises up from the northern edge of town.

Most of the range is within the Coronado National Forest and offers great outdoor recreation any time of the year.

Regardless of where you go for Arizona snow play, be aware that you can't play just anywhere snow has fallen.

For instance, Flagstaff does not allow sledding on the city's hills because of liability issues.

Also, parking along the highway is not permitted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety and your car may be ticketed.

Arizona Ski Resorts also generally restrict or forbid snow play on their grounds.

So, where can you go to play in the snow?

We've compiled a list of some of the most popular Arizona snow play areas around Flagstaff and Tucson.

The Peak View Snow Play Area has easy access right next to Highway 180

In winter, Peak View has open fields of snow edged by pine forest and excellent views of the San Francisco Peaks on clear days.

The Peak View Winter Parking Area has a paved parking lot with picnic tables and restrooms.

Snow in the parking lot is plowed when the Arizona Department of Transportation has resources available. Parking is limited, so arrive early to get a space.

Location: About 6.5 miles north of Flagstaff on Highway 180. Peak View is on the east side of the highway about one mile south of the Snowbowl Road/Highway 180 intersection.

Cost: No fee.


Wing Mountain

The Wing Mountain Snow Play Area is the most popular sledding area near Flagstaff. There are many slide slopes as well as cross country ski and snowshoe trails.

Yo can only use soft snow play materials on the trails - no metal, wood or hard plastic.

Wing Mountain is managed by Recreation Resource Management, Inc., so the area has equipment sales, hot drinks, snacks, trash receptacles and portable restrooms on-site.

Note: it is very popular, so expect a long wait in your vehicle to get to the parking lot on busy weekends and holidays.

Location: About 10 miles north of Flagstaff on U.S. Highway 180. Turn west at milepost 226 to Forest Road 222B. from there, it's about 1 mile to the parking lot. Wing Mountain is about 3 miles north of the Snow Bowl Road/Highway 180 intersection.

Cost: There is a $10 parking fee per vehicle of up to five people; $2 for each additional person. Walk-ins and buses will be charged $2 per person.

A line of vehicles waiting to enter the Wing Mountain Snow Play Area parking lot

There are no restrictions on snow play materials and there are toilets on site.

The cross country ski and snowshoe trails are not marked. There is a short road into the parking area that is plowed by Coconino County as soon as possible after storms.

Location: About 16 miles north of Flagstaff on U.S. Highway 180. Turn west at milepost 233. The Crowley Pit parking area is about 10 miles north of the Snowbowl Road/Highway 180 intersection and 1 mile north of the Flagstaff Nordic Center.

Cost: No fee.


Walker Lake

The Walker Lake Winter Parking Area is also known as the Kendrick Watchable Wildlife Area. This is a good area for snow play, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

In winter, the meadows of the Kendrick Park Area are a popular Arizona snow play area

As its alternate name suggests, it's also a good spot to see wildlife like elk, mule deer and many species of birds.

Unlike most other U.S. Forest Service sites, this one has a paved parking lot and a restroom.

Snow in the parking lot is plowed when the Arizona Department of Transportation has resources available. The trails here are not managed in winter.

Location: About 20 miles north of Flagstaff on U.S. Highway 180. Turn west at milepost 235. The Walker Lake parking area is about 14 miles north of the Snowbowl Road/Highway 180 intersection and is right off of U.S. Highway 180.

Cost: No fee.


Fort Tuthill County Park

During summer, this 411-acre park is busy with many events, camping and picnics. During winter, the park is open for snow play, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Note that sledding is not permitted.

There is plenty of parking, picnic tables and picnic ramadas. Fort Tuthill County Park is open from dawn until dusk.

Location: About 2 miles south of Flagstaff on I-17, take exit 337. Travel west and cross over State Route 89A to reach the park.

Cost: No fee.

If these Flagstaff snow play areas are full, consider heading west to the Elk Ridge Ski and Recreation Area in the town of Williams. Set amid the dense stands of pines in the Kaibab National Forest, this ski resort has a designated tubing hill for Arizona snow play.

Another alternate is the Oak Hill Snowplay Area off Interstate 40 on Old Route 66 near Williams. Only soft flexible materials may be used here. There is no fee for use.

Directions: In Williams, drive Interstate 40 east to the Pitman Valley Exit (No. 171). Turn north, then head east on Historic Route 66 for about two miles.

Tubing is a popular activity at the Elk Ridge Ski Area and at many Arizona snow play areas

• Flagstaff Arizona snow play areas are popular with Valley residents. Because Highway 180 is only a two-lane road, traffic backs up to the interstates quickly on busy weekends and holidays during peak snow season. Two- to three-hour waits in traffic upon departure are possible.

  The Flagstaff Visitor Center suggests the following Flagstaff areas as alternatives to the Flagstaff snow play areas on Highway 180: Mormon Lake Lodge, Happy Jack Lodge and Fort Tuthill County Park.

• Directions for Highway 180 Main Route and Alternate Route:
  Primary Route: Take I-17 north to Flagstaff. In Flagstaff I-17 ends and becomes Milton Road. Keep going north on Milton Road for 3 miles and go under the railroad tracks. The road will bend to the right. At the first stop light, turn left on Humphreys Street. At the third stoplight, turn left on Arizona Highway 180 to the snow play areas.

  Alternate Route: On days when Flagstaff and Snowbowl are very busy, you can take an alternate route to the snow play areas from northbound Interstate 17, which bypasses downtown Flagstaff. From Interstate 17, take Interstate 40 east. Exit at Butler Avenue, turning left at the bottom of the off ramp. Continue until you reach Enterprise Road and turn right here. Then turn left on Route 66. Take this to Switzer Canyon Drive and turn right. When you get to Highway 180, turn right. Continue on Highway 180 until you reach the desired snow play area.

• A map for winter recreation sites in the Coconino National Forest is available from their web site or at a local Forest Service office.
• Before heading out to Arizona snow play areas, call ahead for current snow conditions. Call either the Flagstaff Visitors Center at 1-800-842-7293 or the Coconino National Forest at 928-527-3600.
• Weather and road conditions can change rapidly. Check current conditions at www.az511.gov or call 511 in Arizona for an update on conditions before you travel. Heed all hazardous weather warnings and road closures.
• Please respect these areas. Follow all safety rules, pick up your trash and pack it out, do not damage or vandalize the sites and do not harass wildlife.
• Note: the Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort, just north of Flagstaff, does not allow snow play within the resort or along Snowbowl Road.

Even dogs like this Welsh corgi enjoy a day of Arizona snow play

Just north of Tucson, the Catalina Highway winds its way about one vertical mile up near the summit of Mt. Lemmon, the highest peak in the Santa Catalina range.

It takes about one hour to drive the 27 miles to the top.

However, you don't have to go all the way up to experience Tucson snow.

The U.S. Forest Service, which manages the Santa Catalinas, has not officially designated sledding slopes or snow play areas in the Santa Catalina Mountains.

So, you can pretty much play wherever there is snow, provided that your activities and your parked car are safely far from any road.

The most popular spots for Arizona snow play not far off the Catalina Highway...

Rose Canyon Lake

This 7-acre lake is located at the far end of a popular summer campground with 74 camp sites. It's also a popular fishing spot in the summer for stocked trout. During the winter season, the campground shuts down and the gates are closed and locked. However, you are still allowed to walk in for day use.

This area is good for sledding, snowball fights and just playing in the snow. There is no water available and no garbage service, so you'll have to pack everything out that you pack in.

Location: Rose Canyon Lake is between Mileposts 17 and 18 on the Catalina Highway.

Cost: No specific fee for area. Visitors must pay the U.S. Forest Service $5 Day Pass fee.

The Rose Canyon Lake area is a nice spot for Arizona snow play

Mount Bigelow Road

Mount Bigelow is the second highest named summit in the Santa Catalina Mountains. You can't miss it because it’s the peak topped with a fire-lookout tower and communications towers.

During the winter season, the road is closed. However, you are still allowed to walk in for day use. It's a popular area for sledding.

Location: Areas around Mount Bigelow Road between Mileposts 20 and 21 on the Catalina Highway.

Cost: No specific fee for area. Visitors must pay the U.S. Forest Service $5 Day Pass fee.


Bear Wallow

The Bear Wallow area is the location of a popular sledding hill. At almost 8,000 feet in elevation, this area is thick with pines and fir trees. You can reach it by taking the Bear Wallow Road, a dirt road that leaves the Catalina Highway and makes a loop to Mount Bigelow Road.

Location: Take the Catalina Highway to Milepost 22, which is the turnoff for Bear Wallow Road. Note that Bear Wallow Road is closed to vehicles in winter, so you will need to walk in from the highway.

Cost: No specific fee for area. Visitors must pay the U.S. Forest Service $5 Day Pass fee.


What to Know Before You Go:

• Before heading out to Tucson Arizona snow play areas, call ahead to the Coronado National Forest at 520-388-8300 for current snow conditions.
• It is important that your activities and your parked car are away from the highway for safety.

Building a snowman at an Arizona snow play area is possible even when there isn’t enough snow for skiing

• While most recreation sites do not have individual fees, you will need to pay a U.S. Forest Service $5 Day Pass fee if you stop at recreation sites along the Catalina Highway during your drive up to the top. The Day Pass can be purchased at the Molino Fee Station at milepost 4.5 or at the Palisades Visitor Center at Milepost 19.5.
• Traffic can be congested on busy winter weekends due to a large number of people all driving up the Catalina Highway at the same time. There may be road closures in extreme cases when traffic is gridlocked. Therefore, it is best to visit during a weekday.
• Please respect these areas. Follow all safety rules, pick up your trash and pack it out, do not damage or vandalize the sites and do not harass wildlife.
• Starting in 2008, the U.S. Forest Service will close Mt. Lemmon seasonal roads and day use sites to vehicles annually on the same date, December 15, and reopen on March 1. The roads remain open to snow activities and other non-motorized users.
• There is no gas available on Mt. Lemmon so make sure you have a full tank of gas before you go.
• To check on road conditions year round, call the Pima County Sheriff's 24 hour Road Condition Hotline at 520-547-7510.
• The Tucson Mt. Lemmon Ski Resort at the top of Mt. Lemmon does not allow snow play.

• Remember to be prepared for winter weather conditions. Unlike ski resorts, there is no staff and limited services at most snow play areas.
• Make sure you have appropriate layered winter clothing and shoes including gloves, hats and scarves. Also wear sunscreen as it's possible to get a bad sunburn from sunlight reflected off of the snow's surface.
• Also, make sure your vehicle is prepared for winter driving including having tire chains or snow tires.
• Always carry extra food, water, blankets and a first aid kit or winter survival kit.
• Monitor local weather conditions and have maps of the local area.
• As with any outdoor activity, there is safety in numbers. It is best not go out by yourself.
• Always let someone know back home when and where you will be going and when you plan to return.

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