Skiing in Arizona? We didn’t think of the Grand Canyon State as a skiing and snowboarding destination, but it is! Its diverse landscape makes it the perfect place to have fun in the snow during wintertime. What’s more, Arizona’s ski resorts are uncomplicated, unpretentious, old-school, and pure fun, with a great skiing peer group thrown into the mix. Plus, we found skiing in Arizona quite affordable too. And we discovered the best skiing in Arizona at the City of Seven Wonders, Flagstaff. Every ski resort in Flagstaff was simply superb, with excellent deals available on season passes.
But the real reason was that the city is one of the snowiest cities in the entire country, seeing more than 90 inches of annual snowfall! So, it’s no surprise that winter sports enthusiasts constantly flock to Flagtsaff’s snow-frosted peaks for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, and more activities. So, what are you waiting for? Pick out your skiing gear while checking out this comprehensive guide to skiing in Flagstaff, Arizona.
Did you know that the Grand Canyon National Park, one of the world’s most amazing national parks, is just an hour north of Flagstaff? Yes!
Table of contents
Flagstaff Snow Park
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Most family-friendly. We enjoy the combination of skiing, tubing, and food trucks, which is why we absolutely loved Flagstaff Snow Park. Famed as “Arizona’s Winter Wonderland,” this ski park offered snow play activities that entertained our entire group of family and friends. Besides cross-country skiing, this place is particularly known for its multiple lanes for tubing. What impressed us was that the park makes its own snow for the tubing hill, so we didn’t have to worry about there being less fun in the snow. If that wasn’t enough, there was even a special kiddie hill that ensured a fun and safe experience for our tiny tots!
“The kids aboslutely loved the Nordic Village, as there was something for them to look forward to!”
WOW Travel
Besides XC skiing and tubing, the park has tons of space for everyone to enjoy timeless cold-weather fun. Playing in the snow is a rite of passage here, as there are dedicated spaces even to make your own snowmen! Furthermore, other amenities include fire pits, picnic tables, and food trucks for satiating the hunger pangs, roasting marshmallows, and generally keeping warm. From playing in the snow and sleigh rides to skiing, this snow park was everything we wanted – and then some!
Pro tip: Tickets can only be bought online and are available for a specific date 2-5 days in advance. Plus, they even sell all-day tubing passes.
The Terrain. Just like skiing routes, the snow park has green, blue, and black tube routes. However, the teal and red tubes are the most challenging. Additionally, the kiddie tubes are orange and rainbow ones and are unsupervised, so parents need to keep an eye out.
The Town. While there’s no base town as such, there are picnic tables, fire pits, and food trucks right next to the tube routes and snow play areas. So, we could make an entire day of it here.
At a glance
- Known for: Versatile skiing and tubing opportunities for the family, especially kids.
- Opening: Mid-December
- Closing: N/Mid-March
- Elevation: 7,000 ft (2,133 m)
- Summit: 11,500 ft (3,505 m)
- Lifts: None
- Airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport – 1.9 mi (3 km)
Pros
- Flagstaff Snow Park is fun for the whole family.
- It offers some of the most versatile tubing opportunities we’ve ever seen.
- It lies right across the highway from Flagstaff Airport.
Cons
- It doesn’t offer serious skiing opportunities for adults.
Where to Stay: Located just 4.3 mi (6.9 km) from Snow Park, Aiden By Best Western @ Flagstaff is one of the best places to stay for the family. Not only that, but it’s also close to some of the top things to see and do in Arizona. Groups will be thrilled with the choices of family rooms and suites, as well as by amenities such as free Wi-Fi, cable TVs and coffeemakers in the rooms, and free hot breakfasts. The best bit? There are rooms available even with mesmerizing forest views.
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Arizona Nordic Village
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Most versatile. Tucked in the Coconino National Forest around 15 mi (24 km) north of Flagstaff is the snowy oasis of Arizona Nordic Village. Even though there’s no traditional downhill skiing here, it does offer 25 mi (40 km) of well-groomed classic cross-country skiing and skating trails. In fact, they wind through some of the largest Ponderosa Pine stands in all of Arizona, making it thrilling for snow-starved skiers.
We especially loved the spectacular backcountry experiences it offered for skiers of all skill levels. Also, we recommend trying the private/group lessons for learning classic cross-country skiing for those who are starting out. Eco-conscious travelers will appreciate that this facility is off-grid and “green,” producing their own power using backup and solar generators. Moreover, they’ve even replaced all grooming snowmobiles with more efficient and less polluting 4-stroke snowmobiles.
The Terrain. Are you a seasoned skier? We’d recommend heading out on the trails that are almost 5 mi (8 km) long. If that wasn’t enough, they even host more than 9.3 mi (15 km) of mapped and well-marked snowshoe trails and 3.7 mi (6 km) of dog-friendly trails too!
The Town. Since it lies close to Flagstaff, it’s the base town for the Nordic Village.
At a glance
- Known for: Versatile XC skiing and snowshoeing, including skiing with your dogs.
- Opening: Mid-December
- Closing: March
- Elevation: 8,000 ft (2,438 m)
- Summit: N/A
- Lifts: None
- Airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport – 22 mi (35.4 km)
Pros
- The Nordic Village offers excellent XC skiing opportunities and skiing with your dogs.
- It also has extensive, groomed snowshoeing trails.
- The skiing region is green and eco-friendly.
Cons
- There’s no traditional downhill skiing here.
Where to Stay: Just 20 minutes away from the Nordic Village is 303 BnB Inn Flagstaff, which we loved for its location. Aside from being close to the Nordic Village, it lies away from downtown Flagstaff’s bustle and yet is a 5-minute drive. Add to that the quiet street views, and this B&B is the very epitome of rustic-chic charm. What’s more, it also has modern conveniences and creature comforts such as free Wi-Fi, contemporary rooms with flatscreen TVs, and well-equipped kitchenettes. We especially loved the garden views from our room’s balcony and the delicious breakfast they served every morning.
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Sunrise Park Resort
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Largest ski resort. We finally come to what is Arizona’s largest ski resort, Sunrise Park Resort. This ski destination lies around three southeast of Flagstaff in far eastern Arizona, not far from the New Mexico border. Tucked high up in the state’s famed White Mountains, these mountains catch some serious powder during storms. Combined with the vertical drop of 1,800 ft (548 m), that ensured us some serious thrills during our skiing sojourn. Variety is the name of the game here, with 69 runs spread across three mountains with their own feels: Cycline Circle, Sunrise Peak, and Apache Peak, Sunrise Peak. If that wasn’t enough, a special “ski-wee” area kept our kids occupied and safe as they learned to ski. The best bit? Both private and group lessons are available for the kids, too!
Besides amazing skiing, the resort also has separate areas for XC skiing, snowboarding, and skibobbing (or ski biking), a new rental shop, and 10 huge, entirely automated snow guns to dump the routes with powder whenever required.
The Terrain. With a skiable area of a whopping 1,200 acres, Sunrise Park skews toward beginner and intermediate skiers with long, groomed runs. Experts will find worthy black diamond challenges awaiting them on Cyclone Circle Peak. Additionally, there’s also a terrain park here with jumps, a half pipe, and rails for all skill levels.
The Town. The cozy and quaint town of Greer, 20 mi (32 km) away, is the closest establishment for food and lodging near Sunrise Park. This hidden gem of a town is a veritable mecca of outdoor recreation and is very charming, with lots of restaurants serving delicious local fare. Lodging options are mostly limited to mountain cabins and motels.
At a glance
- Known for: Versatile skiing opportunities, including skiing with your dogs.
- Opening: Beginning of December
- Closing: Mid-March
- Elevation: 9,200 feet (2,800 m)
- Summit: 11,100 feet (3,400 m)
- Lifts: 9 (7 chairlifts, 2 magic carpets)
- Airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport – 183 mi (294 km)
Pros
- This skiing region has excellent childcare skiing programs.
- There’s onsite rental available for all ages.
- Sunrise even has a tubing Hill with a lift.
Cons
- The base town is quite out of the way.
Where to Stay: We stayed at the Cozy Cabin by Colorado River, and it couldn’t have been a better stay. The well-designed log cabin looked like it was straight out of a mountain magazine. Despite being so out of the way, we enjoyed free Wi-Fi and even a fully equipped kitchen with modern appliances to whip up meals. Two bedrooms with plush beds easily and comfortably accommodated the four of us, while the patio with alfresco seating was a great way to begin our mornings and end our day.
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Arizona Snowbowl
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Longest ski season. Have you ever skied down the side of a volcano? Then, you should definitely head to the Arizona Snowbowl. Often referred to as just Snowbowl, this ski area offers the ultimate skiing experience in the entire state. The stunning Snowbowl sits atop Arizona’s highest mountain, Humprey’s Peak, and lies just outside Flagstaff, around 20 minutes north. At the top, we spied many smaller volcanoes in the distance as well as spectacularly sweeping views, especially on sunny days. However, don’t be fooled by the sun-kissed days, as storm systems dump legendary amounts of snow. That’s why you’ll always be discovering fresh powder on its 52 well-groomed ski trails.
If you’re a hardcore skier in excellent physical condition, then try the rough and ready hike-to-skiable terrain, which is higher than the lift-serviced runs. For non-skiers and families, the outdoor patio area at the Hart Prairie Lodge is one of Snowbowl’s best features. This year, it even has new fire pits, ensuring the perfect lounging spot for soaking up the Arizonian sun.
The Terrain. Arizona Snowbowl has 777 acres of skiable area and 23 mi (37 km) of slopes, of which a whopping 32% and 38% are dedicated to blue and red runs. In fact, this Snowbowl has the largest beginner and intermediate terrain in all of the Southwest United States. The Sunset Terrain and DayDreamer Progression are excellent terrain parks for newbies to practice their freestyle skills. The best bit? Lessons are available for skiers of all abilities, including kiddos aged four years and above.
The Town. Since Flagstaff is just 20 minutes away, it itself serves as a base for Snowbowl.
At a glance
- Known for: Versatile skiing opportunities and Arizona’s longest ski season.
- Opening: Late November-Late December
- Closing: N/A
- Elevation: 9,200 ft (2,805 m)
- Summit: 11,500 ft (3,505 m)
- Lifts: 7 (1 gondola, 5 chairlifts, 1 magic carpet)
- Airport: Flagstaff Pulliam Airport – 20 mi (32 km)
Pros
- The ski area has onsite rentals that are available for all ages.
- There’s a free shuttle to and from Flagstaff.
- It’s one of the most versatile skiing areas and the longest skiing season in all of Arizona.
Cons
- None!
Where to Stay: Basecamp at Snowbowl is the lodging that’s nearest to Snowbowl, halfway between the ski area and Flagstaff. They feature a host of cozy cabins nestled amidst the ponderosa pines. What’s more, these standard, pet-friendly wooden cabins all have plush beds, TVs, ensuite bathrooms with showers, and gas stove heaters.
If you want to stay in Flagstaff instead, the historic boutique Bespoke Inn is one of the hotels closest to Snowbowl, on the city’s northern fringes. The 1894-built inn is now a modern masterpiece with cozy yet contemporary rooms with “Heavenly” beds, cable TV and Wi-Fi, ensuite bathrooms, gas fireplaces, and even special roast pour-over coffee services!
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Our Verdict!
Here’s a specialized list of the best skiing resorts in Flagstaff to help you choose and plan your itinerary.
- Longest ski season: Arizona Snowbowl
- Largest ski resort: Sunrise Park Resort
- Most versatile: Arizona Nordic Village
- Most family-friendly: Flagstaff Snow Park
What is the largest ski resort in Arizona?
With a total slope length of 23 mi (37 km), Arizona Snowbowl is the largest skiing resort in Arizona.
What months can you ski in Arizona?
Arizona’s snow season usually runs between mid-December and mid-April, depending on snowfall.
What mountain do you ski in Flagstaff?
That would be the Arizona Snowbowl, one of the two best skiing resorts in all of Arizona.
Flagstaff is also one of the best day trips from Phoenix, but given what you just read, we think your Flagstaff trip is going to be much longer!
