If you’re looking for a cross-country skiing adventure with unmatched views and beautiful terrain, Arizona is your spot. Northern Arizona is home to endless cross-country skiing trails, Nordic villages, ski resorts, and much more. Top off your adventure with a cozy overnight stay in a lakeside lodge and how about a hearty barbecue dinner? Sounds perfect to us. Here’s how to have the best cross-country skiing adventure in Arizona.
Lodging, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing. Yes, Arizona Nordic Village has it all. Arizona Nordic Village was previously known as the Flagstaff Nordic Center, home to a number of cross-country and snowshoeing trails. Since rebranding, Arizona Nordic Village has expanded to include a number of lodging options for weary travelers. You can book one of their many yurts and cabins located on the premises, mere feet away from freshly-groomed trails. Today, Arizona Nordic Village is home to 26 trails featuring classic ski tracks and multi-use skiing.
No winter trip to Flagstaff is complete without a trip to Arizona Snowbowl. This popular mountain has a base of 9,200 feet to go with eight chair lifts and over 750 skiable acres. Adrenaline junkies can get their fix with a stop to one of their three terrain parks. Snowbowl also allows for backcountry access for those who obtain a free backcountry permit.
You don’t have to go outside to enjoy some fun on the ice. Make a trip to Jay Lively Activity Center instead. The Jay Lively Activity Center is a one-stop shop for skating activities. It hosts hockey games, adult-only skating sessions, and public skate sessions year-round. You can also cheer on the local Northern Arizona University Ice Jacks, who play their home hockey games at this venue.
There’s nothing better than a big meal after a long day of skiing. You can load up on some yummy comfort food by making a trip to downtown Flagstaff. That’s where you’ll find Bigfoot Bar-B-Q. This local favorite dishes up some of the best ribs, brisket, and pulled pork sandwiches in Flagstaff. This hidden gem is located in the basement of a popular downtown shopping center. It’s well worth the find to try their many smoked delicacies and truck stop creations.
You can really unwind from your ski adventure at Lumberyard Brewing Company. This locally-run brewery and restaurant is located in central Flagstaff, right on the busy San Francisco Street downtown. Lumberyard is famous for their landmark Flagstaff IPA, which has won several awards and is widely known around Arizona. They also have seven in-house beers on tap to drink and enjoy.
Are you an astronomy fan? You won’t want to miss the Lowell Observatory. This Flagstaff observatory features a number of telescopes and stargazing opportunities. This famous spot rose to prominence after it was the site of Pluto’s discovery. You can put your astronomy skills to use by participating in an evening telescope viewing. You can view stars, planets, and the moon through the site’s flagship telescope, the Clark 24-inch Refractor.
Looking to unwind after skiing? Make a trip to the Mormon Lake Lodge. This iconic lodge is located about 30 miles from Flagstaff deep in the thick of the Coconino National Forest. They offer cabin rentals that come with their own kitchen, fireplace and private deck. You can also enjoy a meal (or two) at the Mormon Lake Lodge Steakhouse or the Mormon Lake Pizzeria, both located on the premises.
There’s no shortage of outdoor adventures in Mormon Lake. You can explore the area by gearing up for a day of cross-country skiing at the Mormon Lake Lodge. The lodge offers daily ski equipment rentals and local trail access. The surrounding trails will take you deep into isolated and snow drenched areas of the Coconino National Forest. Looking to go for a ride? Mormon Lake Lodge offers guided snowmobile tours through nearby forest trails.
You can get wild at Bearizona Wildlife Park. This drive-through wildlife experience lets you get up close and personal to black bears, arctic wolves, and American bison. Located in the Kaibab National Forest, this attraction showcases animals in their natural habitat. You can drive through the park or walk through a 20-acre zoo for animal encounters. Want to know the best part? Bearizona is located about 30 minutes from Flagstaff.
