One of the best perks to living in Phoenix is that cooler weather is only a short drive away. January is a great time to hit the slopes in Arizona and there are many options just a couple of hours away from the Valley.
Arizona Snowbowl
Arizona Snowbowl is one of the most popular Arizona ski resorts. Snowbowl ski resort opened in 1938 and is located on the San Francisco Peaks, just 14 miles outside Flagstaff. The Arizona Snowbowl is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily and offers 32 trails serviced by 4 lifts for skiers and snowboarders of all ability levels. The ski lift passes at Snowbowl range from $27 to $57 based on age and day of the week. Group pricing is also available.
When planning your trip to Snowbowl, you can book a room at a hotel in Flagstaff or at Snowbowl’s Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins that are located at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins offer stay and ski packages, which include a room, breakfast and two adult all day lift tickets to Snowbowl. The stay and ski package prices range from $129 to $179 per night.
For more information about Arizona Snowbowl visit arizonasnowbowl.com.
Sunrise Park Resort
Sunrise Park Resort is located about 5 hours from Phoenix in the White Mountains and is the largest ski resort in Arizona with 65 runs. In addition to standard ski slopes, Sunrise Park Resort also offers a separate snowboarding area, cross country ski trails and a special childrens’s “ski-wee” area. Sunrise Park Resort is open 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily, with ski lift passes ranging from $28 to $49 depending on age and the day of the week.
With Sunrise Park Resort almost 5 hours from Phoenix, lodging is a necessity if you are going to make the trip. The Sunrise Park Lodge, located near Sunrise Lake, has 100 rooms, two restaurants and an indoor pool. They offer ski and stay packages that start at $120 per person for two nights.
For more information on Sunrise Park Resort and Sunrise Park Lodging visit sunrisepark.com.
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley
Most people think they need to head north to ski in Arizona, but Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is actually located in the Catalina Mountains. Situated just a little more than 40 miles outside Tucson, Mt. Lemmon is the southernmost ski resort in the United States. Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley has one main ski lift and 18 runs that vary in difficulty. It is open Thursday through Monday (closed Tuesday and Wedesday) from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., with rates ranging from $27 to $37.
Overnight accommodations for Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley are available in the nearby village of Summerhaven.
For more information about Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley visit skithelemmon.com.
Elk Ridge Ski and Outdoor Recreation Area
Elk Ridge Ski and Outdoor Recreation Area is located near the historic town of Williams, famous as a stop along Route 66 and gateway to the Grand Canyon. Situated about 30 miles west of Flagstaff, Elk Ridge is considered a family ski area, oriented toward beginners and intermediate skiers. There are two lifts and seven trails for skiing, snowboarding and tubing. They are open Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and lift passes range in price from $15 to $35.
There is no lodging at Elk Ridge, so the closest overnight accommodations would be in Williams.
For more information about Elk Ridge Ski and Outdoor Recreation Area visit elkridgeski.com.