Arizona's biggest ski areas just got a lot of new snow: What to expect if you're going
A big winter storm system that blew through Arizona this week was a gift for everyone who likes to ski and snowboard. Both of the state's big ski areas got more than a foot of new snow and that's certain to draw crowds this weekend.
As of Feb. 24, Sunrise Park Resort in the White Mountains reported 14 inches of new snow and Arizona Snowbowl reported 15 inches in the past 24 hours.
Both ski areas have a variety of terrain to suit beginner to expert skiers and snowboarders. And both offer lessons, gear rentals, dining and drinking options as well as other winter and year-round activities to keep you busy.
Here's a complete guide to Arizona's two biggest ski resorts.
Hit the slopes: Arizona's 2 biggest ski resorts announce opening dates
Everything to know about Arizona Snowbowl
Where it is: 14 miles northwest of Flagstaff in the San Francisco Peaks. 9300 N. Snow Bowl Road, Flagstaff.
Lifts and runs: Snowbowl has more than 777 skiable acres. According to Snowbowl.ski, of the 55 runs, 22% are for beginners, 43% are intermediate, 22% are considered advanced and 13% are expert runs. The longest skiable run is 2 miles. There are eight lifts: one high-speed detachable combination lift, one high-speed six-person chairlift, four fixed-grip chairlifts and two surface conveyors. Seven of the lifts are open at this time.
Terrain parks: Want to practice your freestyle skills? Arizona Snowbowl has three terrain parks suitable for all levels.
Hart Prairie Start Park: Low-profile boxes and snow features for beginners. There is a slope with two chairlifts and two surface conveyors.
Roll Up Rail Garden: Take your skills to the next level with various small and medium rails. This terrain park can be accessed by the Grand Canyon Express lift.
Sunset Terrain Park: This one is for those with expert riding and freestyle skills. Features include technical jumps, rails and other difficult terrain. Competitions and other events are often held here.
Rental gear and lessons: Patrons can rent skis, boots, poles, snowboards, helmets and ski bikes. Prices range from $18 to $65 and equipment can be reserved online in advance or rented in person when you arrive.
The Arizona Snowbowl Ski & Ride School offers group and private lessons for ages 4-12 and 13 and over at any ability level. Group children's lessons cost $59-$99 per person; teen and adult group lessons are $69 per person. Want more personalized attention? A two-hour private lesson for age 4 and above costs $249; a six-hour private lesson for ages 8 and up costs $549. Gear rental is extra.
Lift tickets: Arizona Snowbowl ticket prices are based on date and demand. Daily lift tickets range from $39 to $95. Visit Arizona Snowbowl's website for your desired dates. Season passes are available. Tickets for the Feb. 25-26 weekend range from $129-$249.
Free shuttle from Flagstaff: Park in downtown Flagstaff and take the free Mountain Express bus to Arizona Snowbowl. The first bus leaves at 7:30 a.m. from the Downtown Connection Center. The last bus departs Snowbowl at 5:30 p.m. The shuttle runs on Saturdays and Sundays through Feb. 27.
Food and drink: There are plenty of dine-in and to-go options at Snowbowl. Guests also can order online and pick up their food.
Hart Prairie Lodge: 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily for grab-and-go or sit-down dining. Menu items include pizzas, burgers, salads, sandwiches and soups. There is also a full bar.
Agassiz Lodge Restaurant: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily in the historic lodge. Order online and pick up at the takeout window for dining on the deck.
9,500' Bar: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily for to-go orders and dining on the Agassiz Lodge deck. Options include signature tacos, craft beer and spirits.
Basecamp Restaurant: 3-9 p.m. Sundays-Thursdays and 3-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays at Basecamp at Snowbowl, the resort's lodge off the mountain at Snowbowl Road and U.S. 180.
Other attractions: For expansive views from atop the San Francisco Peaks, take a scenic gondola ride up to 11,500 feet. Rides cost $29 for all ages. Tickets must be purchased online. Rides are available daily from 2 to 4 p.m. daily in winter; check the website for hours in other seasons.
Lodging: Basecamp at Snowbowl is at U.S. 180 and Snowbowl Road at the foot of the mountain. Options include 18 cabins, six hotel-style rooms, one suite and one studio. Flagstaff also has numerous hotels and vacation rentals.
COVID-19 policies: Physical distancing and mask-wearing are encouraged in dining areas and lines. Passengers on the Mountain Line shuttle from Flagstaff are required to wear masks. Guests riding in gondola cabins may be asked to wear a mask if the gondolas are operating at full capacity. Find out more at https://www.snowbowl.ski/the-mountain/safety-guidelines.
Details: 928-779-1951, https://www.snowbowl.ski.
Everything to know about Sunrise Park Resort
Where it is: 200 State Route 273, on the Fort Apache Reservation between Hon-Dah and Greer.
Lifts and runs: There are over 1,200 skiable acres at Sunrise Park Resort. There are 65 trails and six lifts on three mountains. Of the terrain, 45% of runs are for beginners, 28% are intermediate and 27% are advanced runs. There are currently four lifts open.
Terrain parks: Sunrise Park has rails and jumps.
Rental gear and lessons: Ski and snowboard rental packages are available. Prices vary by age. Rentals are $5 more in person than online in advance. Find all prices at at https://www.sunrise.ski/winter/rentals.
Adult ski package (age 13 and up): Skis, boots and poles starting at $45 per day.
Adult snowboard package: Snowboard and boots starting at $50 per day.
Junior ski package (12 and younger): Skis, boots and poles starting at $30 per day.
Junior snowboard package: Snowboard and boots starting at $35 per day.
Helmets, snow pants and jackets each cost $10 per day.
Half-day group lessons for ages 7-12 and 13 and older cost $124-$159, depending on whether you need equipment rental and a lift ticket with your lesson.
Full-day group lessons for ages 7-12 and 13 and older cost $245-$279 depending on whether you need equipment rental and a lift ticket.
Want more personalized attention? Private lessons are $139 for one hour and $249 for two hours.
Four-hour ski bike lessons cost $299.
All lesson packages cost $10 more if booked in person instead of in advance online.
Lift tickets: Day pass prices vary depending on age and range from $18 to $70 for full-day passes and $13 to $60 for half-day passes. Weekend and holiday prices also vary. Season passes cost are available. See all the options at https://www.sunrise.ski/winter/day-passes.
Food and drink: Sunrise Park Resort has seven dining options.
Sunrise Day Lodge: Cafeteria-style dining.
Sunrise Day Lodge Pub: Beers, ciders and seltzers, with tables and a fireplace.
Midway Cafe: Casual dining and snacks with indoor and outdoor seating and views of several runs.
Eagle Feather Lodge: At the top of Sunrise Peak. All seating is outdoors with views of Greens Peak and Escudilla Mountain.
Apache Peak Lodge: Dine atop Apache Peak at an elevation of 11,100 feet.
Crown Dancer Cafe: This grab-and-go shop offers specialty coffees, hot chocolate, smoothies, energy drinks and snacks. There's a limited amount of seating.
Burrito Barn: Next to the ticket booth at the base of Sunrise Mountain, it offers burritos to go.
Other attractions: Sunrise Park Resort offers night skiing from Christmas through New Year's and on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend and Presidents Day weekend. You can also go tubing and cross-country skiing or rent a ski bike. See all the options at https://www.sunrise.ski/winter/winter-activities.
Lodging: Lodging is available in Greer, Hon-Dah and Pinetop-Lakeside, all 20-35 minutes away. Sunrise Park Lodge is expected to reopen in January.
COVID-19 policies: Guests and employees are required to wear a face covering while indoors. Guests who are unvaccinated must maintain 6 feet of distance from other people at all times.
Details: 855-735-7669, https://www.sunrise.ski.
You can connect with Arizona Republic Culture and Outdoors Reporter Shanti Lerner through email at shanti.lerner@gannett.com or you can also follow her on Twitter.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona ski resorts 2021: Arizona Snowbowl, Sunrise Park Resort
