FLAGSTAFF, AZ — It is time to pull out the boots, jackets, goggles, gloves, hats, skiis, and snowboards because two of Arizona's ski hills -- Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park Resort -- will open this weekend.
Arizona Snowbowl in Flagstaff opens on Friday, Nov. 22.
Sunrise Park Resort in Greer opens on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Before you pack up and head up, here is everything you need to know before you go.
ARIZONA SNOWBOWL OPENING DAY
Coming off its "longest season ever" -- 158 days and 344 inches of snow, and only six months ago -- Arizona Snowbowl is set to open at 9 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 22.
Where is the ski hill located? Arizona Snowbowl is located near Flagstaff, Arizona and along the San Francisco Peaks. The address is 9300 N. Snow Bowl Road, Flagstaff AZ 86001.
What trails will be open? The ski resort said its Grand Canyon Express chairlift, a six-person high-speed lift, will be open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22. It will take skiers and snowboarders to four of its intermediate trails: Midway Catwalk, Logjam, Wild Turkey, and Round up.
Some of the beginner trails will also be open on Friday, but not all of them. More trails are expected to open over the weekend, the ski hill said.
How much are lift tickets? Lift tickets on opening day will be $59 per person. However, pricing does fluctuate throughout the season. It can range between $29 at the end of the season and go as high as $79 during peak periods (around the holiday). You can view current pricing and schedule on Arizona Snowbowl's website, https://www.snowbowl.ski. Equipment rentals and training classes are additional costs.
Free Power Kids Pass: Kids 10 and younger can receive a free season pass to Arizona Snowbowl with no blackout dates (or required purchases). You can register for a pass here, https://www.snowbowl.ski/free-kids-passes.It is also good for Purgatory Resort and Hesperus Ski Area in Durango, Colorado; Sipapu Ski Resort in Taos, New Mexico; and Pajarito Mountain in Los Alamos, New Mexico.
Season passes for everyone else vary between $189 - $849 a person, according to Arizona Snowbowl's website.
What is new this year? Season pass holders will be able to visit Brian Head Resort in Brian Head, Utah, which is roughly a 7-hour drive from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
What else should I know? While lifts typically open at 9 a.m. each day, Snowbowl recommends people get there 30-60 minutes earlier to handle buying tickets, rentals, etc. They also recommend people dress in layers.
If you're hungry, there are restaurants at both lodges, Hart Prairie Lodge and Agassiz Lodge. Hart Prairie is open everyday from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Agassiz is open on weekends.
Visit https://www.snowbowl.ski. for more information.
SUNRISE PARK RESORT OPENING DAY
With snow falling in the higher elevations, winter has begun -- unofficially, at least -- in Arizona. Sunrise Park Resort in Greer, Arizona, which is less than a four-hour drive east of Phoenix, reports that 20 inches of "fresh pow[der]" has fallen on the ski hill. It will open at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23.
Where is the ski hill located? Sunrise Park Resort is located at 200 Highway 273 Greer, Arizona 85927
What trails will be open? According to a Thursday morning "Snow Report" posted to the ski hill's website, it is not yet know how many runs or trails will be open this weekend. "There is much snow to be pushed around, obstacles to mark and safety checks to implement before that final assessment is made. Come back here soon for our daily snow stats and be in the know before you go," the post read. The ski resort will be open from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., however.
How much are lift tickets? Daily passes start at $30 and can go as high as $74, according to Sunrise Park Resort's website. Season passes start at $99 and go up to $699. They also have classes, rentals and lessons, which are additional costs.
This year, the resort is offering a re-loadable gift card, called Sunrise One Pass, which can be used for lift tickets, equipment rentals, classes or lessons, and food.
What else should I know? Sunrise Park Resort also offers snow tubing on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Tickets are $12+. Also, the Cyclone lift is closed and cannot be repaired, according to Sunrise's website. A new lift will cost more than $10 million. In the mean time, the resort bought a 9-seat snowcat (an enclosed cab) for pass holders to use, though it requires a $250 add-on fee. For everyone else, they can hike from Apache Peak to Cyclone Circle.
If you're hungry, they have the Day Lodge, which has breakfast burritos, Indian tacos, burgers, and sandwiches.
Visit www.sunriseskipark.com for more information.
