When you think about ski resorts, Arizona isn’t usually the first state to come to mind. Sand, cactus, sun? Well, those things cover about half of the state, so that’s the usual assumption. There are actually three downhill ski resorts in Arizona. Arizona has mountains (with snow!) and rivers where you can go whitewater rafting in Arizona. Even in the southern part of the state, there are Arizona ski resorts. You can ski in the Arizona mountains for the day and enjoy a warm evening in the desert at night. Sure, Arizona is not a ski travel destination, but as long as you’re here, you may want to check out some of these ski areas in Arizona. (Psst…you can also go snowboarding in Arizona!)
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Find the best US ski resorts for beginners!
Arizona Snowbowl
Let’s start with what is likely the best skiing in Arizona. Flagstaff is actually one of the snowiest cities in the United States, so they get some really good powder each season. I once visited Flagstaff in mid-October and was shocked by a snowstorm that dropped a couple of inches of snow right in town. I took a ride up the ski lift and the snow machines were going full blast to ready for an early season opening. Snowbowl has 777 skiable acres and a base elevation of 9,200 feet above sea level. And, it’s just 14 miles from downtown Flagstaff, one of my favorite towns in Arizona. From the top of the mountain, you can see all the way to the Grand Canyon on a clear day! In 2020, they opened the Arizona Gondola, the first ski gondola in Arizona!
- Location: San Francisco Peaks, Flagstaff
- Annual Snowfall: 260 inches
- Elevation: 9,200 feet to 11,500 feet
- # of Runs: 55
- Skiable Acres: 777
- # of Ski Lifts: 8
- 2023 Lift Tickets: Demand-based pricing has lift tickets from $19 – $117 for adults, with discounts available for advance purchase. A Power Pass is good for the season, with no blackout dates, and includes ten resorts for $1249
Hotels near Arizona Snowbowl: There are lots of Flagstaff hotels, and there’s even a Ski Lift Lodge on the mountain where you can buy a combo ski & stay package.
Kidventurous has the perfect ski trip packing list to help you get ready!
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley
If you are visiting Tucson, you can’t miss Mount Lemmon and the Catalina Mountains which form the northern border of Tucson. In the summer, many of us escape the Tucson heat by driving an hour to the top of Mount Lemmon in the Coronado National Forest, where temperatures are often 30 degrees cooler, thanks to the elevation. Ski Valley claims to be the southernmost ski resort in North America, so even if the skiing isn’t Colorado pow, it’s kind of fun to say you’ve been skiing this far south. The one caveat about this spot is that the road often closes when it snows, so there’s usually a lot of back and forth between the ski resort and the county to get the road cleared so that people can enjoy the slopes. I have found that Facebook is the best place to get the most up-to-date information on road conditions and ski conditions.
- Location: Santa Catalina Mountains, Tucson
- Annual Snowfall: 180 inches
- Elevation: 8,200 feet to 9,257 feet
- # of Runs: 21
- Skiable Acres: 200 acres
- # of Ski Lifts: 3
- 2023 Lift Tickets: $69 for adults, tickets are sold in person only
Find more things to do in Tucson!
Hotels near Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley: You may be able to find an Airbnb in Summerhaven, otherwise, you want to look for hotels on the East side of Tucson to be near Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley.
Sunrise Park Resort
This spot in Eastern Arizona is Arizona’s largest ski resort and also has a popular summer outdoor adventure park. Sunrise Park Resort is a frequent weekend getaway destination for folks from Phoenix and Tucson. Located in the Apache White Mountains, the towns of Springerville, Show Low, Pinetop, and Alpine are also nearby.
- Location: White Mountains, Greer
- Elevation: 9,200 feet to 11,000 feet
- # of Runs: 65
- Skiable Acres: 800
- # of Ski Lifts: 10
- 2023 Lift Tickets: weekday pricing starts at $73 for adults; a season pass is $689
Hotels near Sunrise Park Resort: Sunrise Park Lodge has lodging and free shuttles to the ski run, or choose from several hotel options in Greer.
Elk Ridge Ski Area – closed indefinitely
Another of our northern Arizona skiing resorts is the Elk Ridge Ski Area in Williams. Located closest to the Grand Canyon, Elk Ridge is Arizona’s smallest ski resort, but a fun diversion to check out when you visit Grand Canyon National Park. As of the 2024/2025 season, the new ownership of Elk Ridge has still not indicated any plans to reopen, so keep an eye on Facebook for the latest updates.
- Location: Kaibab National Forest, Williams
- Elevation: 7,500 feet to 8,150 feet
- # of Runs: 10
- Skiable Acres: 40
- # of Ski Lifts: 2
Cross-Country Skiing in Arizona
Downhill not your style? There are also places where you can try cross-country skiing in Arizona. I can’t vouch for these personally because, for the life of me, I cannot pick up the skill of XC ski. I totally lack the rhythm needed to propel myself forward. I will stick to snowshoeing, thank you very much!
- Arizona Nordic Village, Flagstaff
- Greer Lodge, Arizona
- Grand Canyon National Park (the North Rim trails always have snow in the winter, but roads are closed, South Rim occasionally gets a snowstorm!)
Yes, Arizona is full of midwesterners who moved here to escape the snow, but we all love a little bit of snow every once in a while. Especially when we don’t have to drive in it, shovel it, or dress for it! It’s definitely a novelty, but if you ask me, there’s nothing prettier than snow-capped mountain peaks. Don’t forget to check the snow reports before you go, the weather can be finicky in the desert, so snow isn’t always a guarantee! (I don’t think Mt. Lemmon opened at all during my first winter in Tucson!)
Where is the most unique place you’ve ever been skiing?
Ohh great list! O didn’t even know you could go skiing in Arizona. I’ll have to check some of these places out!
Did not know that you can ski there…