| Ah, Arizona. Land of sun, scorching summer | | | | open from the first week of December through |
| days and winter skiing fun. That's right, | | | | the first weekend of April. Night skiing |
| skiing. Yes, Virginia, Arizona, known for | | | | begins January 2. Lodging is available at |
| tumbleweed snowmen, actually gets snow. | | | | the 100-room Sunrise Park Lodge located on |
| | | | Sunrise Lake. Winter rates begin at $124 per |
| There are four ski areas to choose from in | | | | night. Call (800) 772-7669 for more |
| Arizona, all within a few hours drive from | | | | information. |
| Phoenix, the capital of Arizona. | | | | |
| | | | Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is located on Mt. |
| The most well-known of the ski areas in | | | | Lemmon just outside Tucson, which is the |
| Arizona is located in northern Arizona, 7 | | | | largest city in Southern Arizona. Though |
| miles north of Flagstaff. The Arizona | | | | smaller than the Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise |
| Snowbowl offers 4 lifts and 32 trails for | | | | Park Resort, Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley offers 80 |
| skiers and snowboards of all levels, and | | | | skiable acres, 3 lifts, 18 trails and a |
| 2,300 feet of vertical drop. You can also | | | | 907-ft. vertical drop. The longest run is |
| test your freestyle skills at their Sunset | | | | 8,500 ft. Their trail ratings are: Easiest |
| Terrain Park which includes obstacles and | | | | at 20%; More Difficult at 38% and Most |
| spines. Lodging available in nearby | | | | Difficult at 42%. There is no cross-country |
| Flagstaff or you can choose to stay at the | | | | or heli skiing available. |
| ski resort at the Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins | | | | |
| located at the base of the San Francisco | | | | For those of you learning to ski, you might |
| Peaks. For reservations, call (928) | | | | want to head up to the Elk Ridge Ski Area, |
| 774-0729. | | | | formerly the Williams Ski Area located in |
| | | | Williams, Arizona, approximately 30 miles |
| The largest ski resort in Arizona is located | | | | west of Flagstaff. The Elk Ridge Ski Area |
| in McNary in Eastern Arizona. The Sunrise | | | | offers two lifts and seven trails. Elk Ridge |
| Park Resort is owned and operated by the | | | | is typically open Thursday through Monday, |
| White Mountain Apache Tribe, and is just a | | | | starting mid December. Thursdays is "skiing |
| 4-hour drive from Tucson and Phoenix. You | | | | only" day. For more information call (928) |
| have for your skiing and snowboarding | | | | 814-5038. |
| pleasure 800 acres on three interconnected | | | | |
| mountains. Base elevation is 9,200 feet | | | | If you're planning a visit to Arizona this |
| extending up to 11,000 feet. They offer 8 | | | | winter, or if you live in Arizona, it's nice |
| lifts and 65 runs for skiers of all levels, | | | | to know a day of skiing is within driving |
| as well as a separate snowboarding area, | | | | distance. Who needs to hop a plane to |
| cross country ski trails, and a Terrain Park | | | | Colorado or Utah when winter fun is right in |
| featuring a snow half pipe, implanted wood | | | | your own backyard? |
| and metal rails. The Sunrise Ski Resort is | | | | |