Best Skiing In Arizona: Which Place is Best?

Arizona may be known for its scorching temperatures and desert climate. However, Arizona also has some world-class skiing. Skiing in Arizona’s top ski resorts is sure to provide you with a great skiing experience. The top two ski resorts in the state are Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park. These two ski resorts are in their own league due to their large skiable area and high vertical rise. They are both family-friendly and cater to all skiers regardless of level or age. So whether you want to go on a ski vacation with your friends and family or you want to increase your ski level, these two ski resorts will ensure you have the best time this winter!

Arizona Snowbowl

Arizona Snowbowl offers skiers everything they need! Located on Mount Humphreys on the western slope, the ski resort is on the tallest point in the state (12,633 feet). This means you get the views you dream of when you ski. This ski resort has 777 skiable acres – enough to keep you occupied for days! With 55 runs and 8 lifts to get you to where you want to be, you will not be disappointed.

The base elevation starts off at 9,200 feet – already incredibly high up! The lifts can get you up to 11,500 feet, and you can even hike up to 12,000 feet if you feel like it. The total vertical rise you get is 2,800 feet, making it excellent for downhill skiing.

Sunrise Park

Offering the most ski runs and the largest skiable area in the state, Sunrise Park ski resort is a perfect place for any skill level and age. The resort is set amongst the White Mountains of Arizona, which includes three mountains – Sunrise Peak, Cyclone Circle, and Apache Peak. The views and ski experience on these mountains ensure a unique skiing experience. Sunrise Park also offers a variety of winter activities like snowboarding and tubing.

The base camp sits at an elevation of 9,200 feet, with a top peak of 11,100 feet, giving a vertical drop of 1,900 feet. Because the entire resort is spread over 3 mountains, it covers an impressive 1,200 acres of skiable terrain. So you will definitely want to take advantage of the lodging options if you plan to see this entire park on a single trip.

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Skiing

Arizona Snowbowl

With a skiable area of 777 acres and 55 runs to keep everyone occupied, Arizona Snowbowl knows how to give you a great skiing adventure! With runs including beginner, intermediate, advanced, and expert levels, there is something for everyone here! The runs here are more catered towards intermediate and advanced skiers, which comprise about 65% of all runs. With a total vertical rise of 2,800 feet, Arizona Snowbowl has breathtaking views and exhilarating downhill skiing. Boasting an average annual snowfall of 175 inches, Arizona Snowbowl ensures a snowy experience for the best ski experience!

Sunrise Park

With 67 runs over 1,200 acres and an impressive 106 inches of snowfall annually, it is hard to beat Sunrise Park as the best skiing in Arizona. The 67 runs consist of a mix of difficulty levels, with 46% catering to beginners, 28% to intermediate-level skiers, and 25% to expert skiers. With a high percentage of runs being beginner-level and a good mix of the higher levels, this resort is perfect for a casual family trip or a competitive challenge. There are 8 lifts spread across the mountains, making it easier to get you from point to point without waiting too long in lines. With a vertical rise of 1,900 feet, the resort offers fantastic downhill skiing with a view!

Winner: Sunrise Park

Facilities

Arizona Snowbowl

Arizona Snowbowl offers multiple dining and takeaway options. The dining locations are set so they can accommodate everyone’s needs. So whether you are after open-air patios with live music or quick service windows, Arizona Snowbowl has something to help fix your food cravings. Not only are the options fantastic, but you can even order food online through the Arizona Snowbowl website! This resort takes convenience to the next level for its guests.

In addition to renting out skis and snowboards, the ski resort offers SNO-GO ski bikes to people with no prior skiing experience. This is a bike-like ski that makes skiing down the slopes extremely easy!

Sunrise Park

Sunrise Park offers seven dining options, including bars and pubs, day lodges, and food-to-go options so you can choose your perfect setting. The flavors on offer range from Southwestern, BBQ, and artisan styles. As there is something for every taste bud, you will love the dining experience here at Sunrise Park.

The general store on the road to the mountains is the go-to place to stock up on all your needs before you start your adventures. The full convenience store has drinks, snacks, and more. You can even purchase camping and fishing gear.

The resort also offers full gear rental and servicing, ensuring no one goes without the necessary gear. Skiing lessons (both group and private) are also provided for every age group from age 4 and up. No matter your skill level, you will be taken care of at Sunrise Park.

Winner: Arizona Snowbowl

Lodging

Arizona Snowbowl

To get the full experience at Arizona Snowbowl, lodging is a must! The ski resort provides basecamp lodging only 7 miles from the slopes. From cozy cabins to hotel-style rooms, there are plenty of options to choose from. As a plus, booking the lodging in the first place couldn’t be easier. You can simply book through the Snowbowl website by choosing the dates you plan to go!

Sunrise Park

A recent $4 million upgrade to the hotel has improved the facilities at Sunrise park immensely. The hotel features newly renovated rooms, an indoor pool and hot tubs, a restaurant, and a bar. All of this in a lodge only minutes away from the slopes! You don’t need to worry about traveling and transport taking up your valuable skiing time.

A sister hotel is also located just 30 minutes from the resort. It is a casino lodge for the traveling gambler, featuring over 800 slot machines and 128 luxury rooms. Alternatively, the small town of Pinetop offers a range of hotels and private cabins and is only a 45-minute drive away.

Winner: Sunrise Park

Annual Snowfall/Best Month For Skiing

Arizona Snowbowl

Arizona Snowbowl boasts an annual average snowfall of 175 inches. Snowfall is best between the months of December and March, with January being arguably the best month for skiing. The average snowfall reaches its peak in January at 51 inches.

Sunrise Park

Sunrise Park has an average annual snowfall of 106 inches. The best months of snowfall are between December and February. But as with Arizona Snowbowl, the best month for skiing at Sunrise Park is January, with the average snowfall at 35 inches.

Winner: Arizona Snowbowl

Best Skiing In Arizona

So, what’s the best skiing in Arizona? You can’t really go wrong when choosing between Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park. To help make a decision, we’ve looked at four criteria for choosing the best skiing in the state: skiing, facilities, lodging, and snowfall. Sunrise Park has the better skiing, although this is a very close call! Arizona Snowbowl has better facilities and more annual snow. However, Sunrise Park has better lodging options, thanks to its recent renovations. 

So, taking all of this into consideration, Sunrise Park is the best skiing in Arizona. However, with that said, Arizona Snowbowl is an incredibly close second. So, whichever ski resort you end up in, you will definitely have an amazing time!

Other Ski Areas in Arizona

Ski Valley

Ski Valley is located on Mount Lemmon and is spread across 200 acres. This resort offers 22 trails with a top elevation of 9,157 feet and a vertical drop of 957 feet. This resort has expected services like gear rental and lessons for beginners, dining, and a gift shop. They are known for their fudge shop, selling ten different flavors for over fifteen years!

Elk Ridge Ski Area

Elk Ridge Ski Area is a family-friendly ski resort located minutes away from Williams, Arizona. This ski resort is on the smaller side, with 37 skiable acres consisting of 12 ski trails. The base elevation sits at 7,500 feet while the summit is at 8,150, creating a vertical drop of 650 feet. Although small, this resort is the cheapest ski resort in Arizona, with a day pass costing only $30.

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