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