Snow Day
Sure, Arizona gets its share of visitors in search of 75-degree winters and January afternoons spent poolside in the shade of a palm tree, but that doesn’t mean the state doesn’t enjoy plenty of snow-play opportunities.
In fact, Arizona’s mountainous regions transform into winter wonderlands December through March. The White Mountains, for example, receive 60-100 inches of annual snowfall, while in Northern Arizona, Flagstaff sees more than 100 inches of snow a year.
All this to say — alpine recreation abounds in Arizona. From downhill skiing and snowboarding at two ski resorts, including ski schools and private lessons offered at both, to sledding and ice fishing, winter sports enthusiasts will find plenty to do.
A good one-stop shop for all things snow fun is Arizona Nordic Village in Flagstaff. The destination hosts cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and snow-bike riding on 25 miles of trails through an icicle-laden pine forest, with a cozy on-site lodge perfect for warming up by the fire. There’s also Hannagan Meadow Lodge, a backcountry hub popular with cross-country snow skiers and snowshoers near the town of Alpine.
If your heart is set on celebrating the winter season warm-weather style, plan your snow day as just that — a daytrip. Most of the state’s snowy spots are within an easy two-hour trip of sunny Phoenix, or in the case of Mount Lemmon Ski Valley, a 90-minute scenic drive north of Tucson.
