Arizona Snowbowl: The Desert’s Best Kept Ski Secret
Yes, there is a ski resort in Arizona. Three, actually. Arizona Snowbowl sits above Flagstaff and delivers the kind of alpine surprise that most people don’t expect from Arizona. At 11,500 feet, you're skiing real terrain, breathing thin air, and looking out over the Grand Canyon. It’s raw, high-altitude skiing without the pretense.
Snowbowl earned its place on our Top 50 Ski Resorts in the USA because it delivers an authentic mountain experience where the desert meets the sky. Plus they have one of the longest seasons in the country with 185+ skiable days.
Resort Specs
- Location: Flagstaff, Arizona
- Skiable Terrain: 777 acres
- Runs: 55
- Lifts: 8 total, including the high-speed Arizona Gondola
- Average Annual Snowfall: 260 inches
- Elevation: 9,200 feet at the base, 11,500 feet at the summit
This is one of the highest base elevations in the country, sitting on the side of the San Francisco Peaks, a massive extinct volcano.
Famous Skiers from the Mountain
Snowbowl isn’t about Olympic pedigrees. It’s where NAU students lap the park between classes, where weekend warriors from Phoenix come to escape the heat, and where you learn to ride every kind of condition. It shapes scrappy, creative riders who can handle a little bit of everything.
Favorite Runs
- Ridge has the views and the flow. Great pitch, wide-open feel.
- Agassiz is the mountain’s signature run. Long, fast, and consistent from top to bottom.
- Wild Turkey offers softer snow, some trees, and a more playful line.
- Upper Bowl is the spot when storms roll in. Open, steep, and often untouched.
If you’re looking for park features, Sunset Terrain Park has a clean layout with room to progress.
Getting There
- From Phoenix, it's a two-and-a-half-hour drive north on I-17. You’ll climb quickly from saguaros to snow.
- From Flagstaff, you’re 35 minutes from the lifts. Snowbowl Road can be slick, so check conditions.
- Flying in? Phoenix Sky Harbor has a variety of affordable options. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport is closer, with fewer flights.
- Rent a car or check out Desert Snow Connection or Alpine Express shuttle services from Phoenix.
If you’re heading up on a weekend, the Mountain Express Shuttle from downtown Flagstaff is the move. Parking fills early.
Where to Stay
- High Country Motor Lodge has a modern, laid-back vibe.
- Little America Hotel is spacious and easy, good for families.
- Hotel Monte Vista sits downtown with a little local character and plenty of stories.
Where to Eat
On the mountain, grab something quick at Agassiz Lodge or ramen at Fremont.
In town, don't miss these spots:
🍽️ Food:
- Sosta for a great vibe, delicious pastries, and pasta for lunch.
- MartAnne’s for massive breakfast burritos and the home of chilaquiles.
- Pizzicletta for wood-fired pizza, quality legit ingredients, and... supreme gelato.
- Bigfoot BBQ for a hidden gem, literally and figuratively. You'll go to the basement of Old Town Shops and find this authentic BBQ restaurant at the back of the store. Great for large groups & kids.
- Shift for a special night out with bold flavors, a locally driven menu, and artfully composed plates.
🍻 Drinks:
- Mother Road for iconic Route 66 vibes and Flagstaff's signature IPA, TowerStation
- Dark Sky Brewing for a local beer and good energy after a long day
- Oeno (ee-no): for an e xtensive selection of wine, tap and bottled beer, cider & more.
Why It’s on our McSenderson Top 50 List
Snowbowl earns its spot because it surprises people. The terrain is better than expected. The views are unreal. And you get the rare chance to ski above the desert. It’s not trying to be Aspen or Park City. It’s its own thing, and that’s the point.
This mountain rewards people who show up early, who ride every inch of snow they can get, and who know that high-altitude turns in the Arizona sun are something special.
Track your turns. Scratch it off. Keep chasing winter.
Get the Top 50 Ski Resorts scratch-off map at www.mcsenderson.com.