Arizona SnowbowlPopular Flagstaff Ski Resort Offers Classic Skiing in a Scenic SettingAbout Arizona SnowbowlMost ski resorts have wonderful views, but only Arizona Snowbowl can make the following claim: on a clear day you can see the Grand Canyon, over 70 miles away. Stand at 11,500 feet, the summit elevation of this Flagstaff ski resort and you'll find yourself at one of Arizona's highest points and best views.
Arizona Snowbowl's scenic setting in the San Francisco Peaks - and its great terrain - are what makes it special and popular. The peaks are actually four summits that at one time were all part of one giant, but now extinct, volcano. Arizona Snowbowl is located on the side of one of the peaks – the 12,356 foot Mt. Agassiz. Another one of the summits, Humphrey's Peak, is the state's highest at 12,642 feet. Besides being scenic and popular for both winter and summer recreation, the San Francisco Peaks are considered sacred by thirteen Southwestern Native American tribes. Both the peaks and Snowbowl Resort are in the Coconino National Forest. It’s 1.8 million acres covers a broad swath of pine and aspen forest, verdant meadows, rugged canyons and an astonishing number of cinder cones and extinct volcanoes. Arizona Snowbowl first opened in 1938, making it one of the oldest continuously-run ski areas in the United States.
It's a casual, laid back and low key kind of resort. This is the kind of ski area where you'll find skiers and snowboarders who love the outdoors and are into snow. No need for high fashion, expensive ski gear here; come with whatever you have and you'll fit in just fine. Surrounded by the national forest and the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, the Arizona Snowbowl feels more remote than it is, giving a wonderful sense of isolation. Yet, it is only 7 miles north of Flagstaff; easy enough to hit the slopes during the day and still get to all of the pubs, restaurants and shops of this historic and funky mountain town in the evening. Winter Sports: Skiing and SnowboardingThe Arizona Snowbowl ski season usually begins by mid-December and ends sometime in April. The annual average snowfall is 260 inches.
For example, during the 2008-2009 Flagstaff ski season, Snowbowl was able to open on December 20, 2008 thanks to winter storms that created near-perfect snow conditions. However, snowfall can vary greatly, even within the same ski season. The 777-acre Arizona Snowbowl has 32 alpine ski trails, four lifts and a skiable area of 130 acres. The top elevation is 11,500 ft. and the base elevation is 9,200 feet, providing a vertical drop of 2,300 feet. Snowboarders will want to test their skills at Snowbowl's Sunset Terrain Park with its boxes, spines, and rails, which are available to skiers too. Located on the North Star Run, Sunset Terrain Park has been designed for intermediate and expert snowboarders. Beginning skiers will feel at home here too at the Hart Prairie Beginner Area, which has two chair lifts and over 50 acres of great learning terrain. For children, there’s the SKIwee (ages 4-7) and the Ridge Runner (ages 8-12) programs where kids have fun and learn to ski or snowboard. The most important thing for skiers and snowboarders to know is that snowfall can be highly variable at Snowbowl and at all of the ski areas in the Southwest. There can be great snow one month and no snow the next. It's important to call ahead and check on current conditions before you head out to the resort. Summer Activities at Arizona SnowbowlFrom the end of May to mid-October, the Arizona Snowbowl is open for summer fun. In addition to playing disc golf and hiking, visitors can take the Skyride.
Instead of skiers, the Agassiz Chairlift takes sightseers on a 25-minute ride up to the top of Mt. Agassiz, at 11,500 feet. Here, you can hike the alpine trails and see summer wildflowers in the meadows that are covered in snow in winter. Or, join a National Forest Service Ranger for an interpretive talk on the area's ecology. On clear days, you'll even be able to see all the way to the Grand Canyon. Autumn is a very popular time for the Skyride, when "leaf peepers" take to the ride to "ooh" and "aah" at the leaves on the aspen trees as they turn brilliant gold in fall. The Agassiz Day Lodge’s Peaks Café is also open for lunch. The café’s wood deck makes a great spot to have a good meal up in the summer mountain air or just hang out. Visitor Facilities at Arizona SnowbowlArizona Snowbowl has two full service day lodges: Agassiz and Hart Prairie.
Both have food service, a bar, retail shops and first aid stations. Hart Prairie Lodge is lower down on Snowbowl Road. This lodge also has the ski school, which offers instruction for adults and children, ski and snowboard rentals and a repair shop. You can also pick up a season pass in the Guest Service's office at the lower level of Hart Prairie Lodge. Hart Prairie is not open in summer. The Agassiz Lodge has a full-service restaurant, the Peaks Café, that offers a continental breakfast and serves dinner daily. On weekends, the lodge also serves a hot breakfast and lunch. There's a large wood deck outside Agassiz Lodge just opposite the Agassiz chair lift, making it a perfect spot to watch all of the action.
If you'd like to stay overnight at Snowbowl, book a room at the Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins. The Ski Lift Lodge and Cabins are at the base of Snowbowl Road and are open year round. The lodge has 25 rooms, some of which are in a cabin setting. The simple and rustic cabins feature front porches and some have gas fireplaces. The ski lift lodge also has a full service restaurant, offering continental breakfast and dinners on weekdays. They also serve lunch on the weekends. Lodging packages include continental breakfast and lift tickets. Fast Facts: Arizona Snowbowl, Flagstaff ArizonaWhat To Know Before You Go:
Location: Northern Arizona. Arizona Snowbowl is about 159 miles (2 hours and 40 minutes) from Phoenix. Directions: 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. Travel north approximately 7 miles, then turn right on Snowbowl Road. You will find the resort 7 miles up Snowbowl Road. Alternate Route: On days when Flagstaff and Snowbowl are very busy, you can take an alternate route to the ski resort 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 Snowbowl Road, where you will turn right and continue up to the ski area. Address: P.O. Box 40, Flagstaff, Arizona 86002 Arizona Snowbowl Phone: 928-779-1951 Ski Report Info: 928-779-4577 or 602-957-0404 Skiing Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (subject to change) Rental Shop Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am - 4:30 pmSaturday, Sunday and Holidays: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Summer Skyride Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day: open daily 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, weather permitting. After Labor Day to mid-October, the sky ride is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays only. Elevation: 9,200 feet to 11,500 feet. Skiable Terrain: 130 acres Winter Activities: Downhill skiing and snowboarding Number of Runs/Trails: 32 Number of Lifts: 4 Snowplay Area: No. Snowplay is not allowed within the Arizona Snowbowl area or along Snowbowl Road. Nearby, Wing Mountain and the Crowley Pit are designated areas for snowplay such as sledding, tubing and building snowmen. 2009 - 2010 Winter Season Passes Unlimited Pass after 10/11/09: *Dependent: age 8 - 18 with at least one parent purchasing an adult season pass. 2009-2010 Day Lift Ticket Prices: Afternoon (2:00 pm - 4:00 pm) *2009 -2010 Holiday Dates:
Important Tickets and Admission Note: Please remember that lift tickets purchased in advance do not guarantee vacancy at the Arizona Snowbowl. If their maximum occupancy has been reached on any given day, admission may be denied. An early arrival is recommended for those who purchased their lift tickets in advance. 2009 Summer Skyride Ticket Prices: Ski Lift Lodge Rates: Note: This information was accurate at the time of publication. All contact information, availability, access, directions and prices should be confirmed directly with the facility before making reservations and/or travel plans. Return to Arizona Ski Resorts page from Arizona Snowbowl
Legal Disclaimer: Arizona-Vacation-Planner.com accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information.
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