A mix of just enough snow and an abundance of sunshine have been luring people up the road from Flagstaff to ski in the thin air on the flanks of the San Francisco Peaks since 1938. That makes the Arizona Snowbowl not only one of the oldest continually operated ski areas in the country but also one of the more elevated-the lower of Snowbowl’s two lodges has a lofty elevation of 9,300 feet. The tallest point in this small range is close by at Humphries Peak (elev. 12,637 feet). So don’t be surprised if you feel a twinge of headache as you dismount the ski area’s highest chair lift, the Agassiz.
Opened in 1938, the Arizona Snowbowl, located near Flagstaff, is one of the longest running resorts in the West, having been open for more than 80 years. Located right outside of downtown Flagstaff, it is about a 30-minute drive to the resort. Some companies offer shuttle service to the mountain. The nearest airport is the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, which is serviced by American Airlines and United Airlines. The largest nearest airport is Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which is 123 miles from Flagstaff.
Recent Improvements and Terrain Expansion
This old resort is in the midst of a promising transition. It started in 2012, when the Snowbowl won the right to begin supplementing its natural snowfall with the manmade stuff made from reclaimed runoff. The resort can now begin its early-season sessions around Thanksgiving, expanding to nearly a full open by late December and, with a little help from Mother Nature, stay open until early April.
Then in 2015 came new ownership eager to modernize. James Coleman has installed two high-capacity chairlifts, including a high-speed six-person lift called the Grand Canyon Express. He has also significantly expanded the ski terrain.
Exploring the Terrain
For now, Coleman hasn't opened up the ski area’s sexiest feature, its massive upper bowl. It remains the area's least accessible. This open expanse is infrequently covered with sufficient snow to accommodate skiers. Even when the snow is deep enough, the upper bowl is not served directly by a chairlift, which is, as always, good and bad. You’ll need to yank your skis off and walk 10 or 20 minutes upwards from the top of the Agassiz lift. But if the snow conditions are right-it happens every few years-the area can produce ski runs that are the stuff of dreams. And the fact that it’s hike-to terrain means it doesn’t get skied out too quickly.
Read also: Historical Snowfall Data for Arizona Snowbowl
In more ordinary times, solid skiing can be found on the Snowbowl’s workaday runs, safely tucked into the forested acres below 11,500 feet. If you grew up skiing in the green hills of the chilly northeast, you’ll feel at home on the Snowbowl’s relatively narrow, groomed runs lined by tall evergreens. Most of the 40 runs here are set up to take maximum advantage of the tree shade.
Beginner skiers should head for the area’s Heart Prairie and Aspen lifts. These are sluggish but kid-friendly two-person chairs that deposit skiers onto a broad, gentle slopes. There are also conveyors here for the little tykes. Most intermediate and expert skiers should head for the new high-speed Grand Canyon Express or to Humphries, a four-person chairlift. Experts can also head for the mountain's plodding Agassiz lift, which rises to 11,500 feet and serves the trickiest terrain. Some of the runs here are surprisingly long.
Skiers fond of fast, giant-slalom style carving turns should head for Logjam, the broad, gently sloped groomer east of the Agassiz lift. Prefer a steeper groomer? Try skiing Lava. Mogul expert? White Lightning is your run. Fancy a terrain park?
Again, it takes an above-average snowfall, but the Snowbowl has some of the best tree skiing in the west. If conditions are right, head for the glades to either side of White Lightning.
Snowbowl among America's best value ski resorts
Read also: Vail Time Zone Details
Current Snow Conditions and Weather
The forecast for today is calling for sunny skies with a high temperature near 30 degrees. Unfortunately, over the past several days, rain combined with marginal temperatures has significantly affected the snow base in our lower-elevation beginner terrain.
Here's a summary of the current conditions:
- Area Open: 36%
- Trails Open: 22 of 61
- Lifts Open: 4 of 8
- Mid Mountain Depth: 25"
- Machine Groomed Intermediate Runs Open: 9/24
Arizona Snowbowl averages 204 inches of mid-mountain snowfall but with very high volatility ranging from less than 50 inches to more than 400 inches. Snow is medium in density and rain is rare with the 9,000 foot base elevation.
Snow Accumulation and Preservation
With its boom and bust snowfall there have been several seasons where Arizona Snowbowl has barely opened or opened well past Christmas. Snowbowl now has snowmaking to open some beginner and intermediate terrain in the early season. Primary exposure is west though 1/3 of the area faces north. Widespread melt/freeze conditions are likely in March with strong low latitude sun.
Below is a table summarizing the recent snowfall data:
Read also: Your Guide to Snowbowl Board Rentals
| Period | Snowfall |
|---|---|
| From Oct 1 2025 to Dec 28 2025 | 65" |
The Charm of a Less Developed Resort
Despite the improvements, a trip to the Snowbowl still feels a bit like a throwback to earlier times. Forest Service land, is still severely constrained. This is partly due to vigorous objections of local Native American tribes who consider these hills sacred. And it’s partly fact that most Phoenicians either don’t realize there’s some reasonably good skiing just two and a half hours north of their city or don’t care. The result, if you are a fan of slightly less developed mid-grade resorts like Maine’s Sugarloaf, is charming.
Slopes here are only crowded on major holidays. The hillsides next to the runs are not dotted with condominiums. The beer and food prices are almost reasonable. Of course, lack of development isn’t all good. The Snowbowl’s three primary lifts are underpowered, low-speed affairs. Local apologists say that’s a good thing, since the lifts deposit skiers on the slopes sparingly, giving each skier a chance to tear into his or her run without having to battle with a crowd.
Accommodations Near Arizona Snowbowl
If you’re skiing at Arizona Snowbowl for more than a day, you’ll almost certainly be getting to know Flagstaff, since there are no hotel rooms to be had at the ski area. If you’re determined to sleep as close to the mountain as possible, the Snowbowl owns and operates a forgettable motel-and-cabins type affair about 15 minutes away from the lodges. (You can frequently stay there for free with the purchase of a lift ticket. Most skiers would do well to drive the additional 10 minutes to downtown Flagstaff, a charming mountain town stuffed with good brewery pubs, college bars and affordable hotels running up to three stars. If you’ve got a few extra bucks and are looking for a comfortable, well-managed three-star hotel, try Little America, which is just a few minutes’ drive from downtown.