Arizona isn’t the first place people think of when it comes to good skiing and snowboarding. But that doesn’t mean local desert dwellers can’t get their fix! There are plenty of ski destinations in and around the four corners that offer fresh powder, vast terrain, and exciting thrills. Are you ready to hit the slopes? Grab your skis and head to one of these awesome nearby resorts.
You don’t have to leave the state for access to great skiing. Take a trip to Arizona Snowbowl instead. This local favorite is situated just 14 miles outside of Flagstaff and only two hours from the Valley of the Sun. Arizona Snowbowl is set on Mount Humphrey’s, part of the San Francisco Peaks, with a base of 9,200 feet. It offers 777 skiable acres, eight chair lifts, and an average snowfall of 240 inches. With a mix of beginner through expert runs, Arizona Snowbowl is fun for the whole family.
Snowbowl or Sunrise? Locals are used to hearing this question when talking about their skiing plans. The two parks are equally popular, with loyalists on both sides. It’s easy to see why Sunrise is so popular. Located in the White Mountains near Greer, Sunrise has no shortage of thrills. It has a 9,000-foot base elevation and 200 inches of snowfall per year. Found throughout the park is a healthy mix of green, blue, and black trails. Looking to mix it up? You can try cross-country skiing, sledding and tubing, or even take a sleigh ride at this resort.
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is actually the southernmost ski destination in the continental United States. Location in the Santa Catalina Mountains and part of the Coronado National Forest, this ski valley receives roughly 180 inches of snow annually. All-day lift tickets go at $45 for adults and children at $25. You’ll find rentals on site, as well as the Brian Ashby Ski School. Buy ski package lessons for your little one who is just learning how to ski! This is a wonderful place for families to ski and snowboard this winter.
Described as a family-oriented ski park, Elk Ridge is a wonderful place to go for skiing, snowboarding, and tubing. Another cool thing about this area? It’s not far from the glorious Grand Canyon. Full-day lift prices for adults and children are reasonable at $40 and $25, respectively. You can also purchase complete ski packages which includes skis, boots, poles, lift tickets, and a one-hour group lesson.
Don’t be fooled by the name. Purgatory is an inviting place for Arizona locals. This Colorado resort is located about 25 miles north of Durango, a brief hour and a half flight from Phoenix. It’s set in the majestic San Juan Mountains and offers stunning views, perfect conditions, and thrilling runs. This family-friendly resort has 12 lifts, 88 trails, and five terrain parks.
Arizonans are known to invade Southern California’s pristine beaches. You can find plenty of Arizona tourists from San Diego through Los Angeles. But in the winter, Arizonans are all about Big Bear. Big Bear Mountain Resort is located in the San Bernardino Mountains, which is less than an hour flight from Phoenix. This massive resort is also home to two properties—Snow Summit and Bear Mountain. Snow Summit is a family-friendly mountain with 14 lifts, 240 acres, and trails for skiers of all abilities. Thrill-seekers can head to the nearby Bear Mountain to get some air. Bear Mountain is an all-out terrain park where you can learn to do everything from hit the halfpipe to riding rails. Just don’t forget your helmet.
Telluride is one of those names that even casual skiers know. It regularly pops up on lists regarding the best ski resorts in the country (and the world). A flight from the Telluride area to Phoenix can be as short as an hour and a half. But this renowned resort is well worth the trek. It’s home to over 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, 18 lifts, and 127 runs. Don’t be intimidated by its size. There are plenty of ski schools and instructors that can your family hit the slopes.
How do you know Park City is a great resort? For one, it played host to many sporting events at the 2002 Winter Olympics in and around Salt Lake. This legendary resort has earned plenty of accolades. Fortunately, it lives up to the hype. It’s the largest ski area in the U.S. and boasts over 7,300 acres, 348 trails, 41 lifts, and even has eight terrain parks. It may be almost 700 miles from Phoenix, but Park City is only a 35-minute drive from the Salt Lake City Airport.
New Mexico is often forgotten in lists of great ski destinations. Arizonans typically head to busy mountains in Colorado or Utah. But New Mexico offers a high-quality (and affordable) skiing resort in Taos. Taos Ski Valley is located near and in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, about an hour and a half flight from Phoenix. The resort gets roughly 321 inches of snow per year to go with 285 day of sunshine. They also have 15 lifts and 110 trails, almost half of which are designed for beginners and intermediate skiers.
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There are a lot of reasons to like Squaw Valley Ski Resort. For one, it was the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics. It is also located just minutes away from the legendary vacation destination, Lake Tahoe (an hour and a half flight from Phoenix). This resort boasts over 6,000 skiable acres, 450 inches of annual snowfall, and 300 sunny days per year. Nearly two-thirds of all runs are targeted towards beginners and intermediate skiers. You can also enjoy some down time at the more than 50 bars and restaurants near the resort.
