June 1, 2024 was a historic day in Arizona. It was the first time that Arizona Snowbowl, the state’s highest ski resort, continued its skiing operations into the month of June. Only a few other ski areas in the United States continued operations this late into the season (in 2024).
I was one of the lucky ones to experience the occasion and grabbed a few pics of the moment.
Highlights of my experience at Arizona Snowbowl for closing day on June 1, 2024:
- Arrived at 7:30 a.m. to discover the lifts weren’t scheduled to open until 10
- My place in line for the first ride up was only about 20 behind the first rider.
- Skied four laps down the two open trails before the snow conditions deteriorated beyond my comfort at around noon
- Enjoyed a perfectly cooked burger and washed it down with a Joy Bus brew by Four Peaks on the sun-drenched patio, while listening to a local band.
True story
Until recently, Arizona Snowbowl earned brownie points with snow riders for providing a free lift ticket if you skied or boarded on your birthday. A few years back, I allowed my daughter to play hooky from high school so we could ski on her special day. One of the perks of being a January baby.
On June 1, I rode the lift with John from Phoenix, who reluctantly found out the ski free on your birthday offer was no longer valid.
“Today’s my birthday,” he proclaimed. “I’ve skied here 45 years and have always dreamt of skiing free on my birthday. I found out when I went to the lift ticket window that they don’t do that anymore.”
Poor John. They did cut him a discount though.
About Arizona Snowbowl Ski Resort
Founded in 1938 and known for offering the largest beginner terrain in the Southwest, Arizona Snowbowl is one of the oldest continually operating ski areas in the country.
Located 14 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona, on the San Francisco Peaks and on the highest mountain in Arizona (Humphreys Peak at 12,367 feet), Arizona Snowbowl offers 55 trails, 2,300 lift-served vertical feet and over 3,000 hike-to vertical feet on 777 acres with eight lifts, four terrain parks and three mountain lodges.
- Location: 14 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona
- Elevation: 9,950 feet above sea level
- Acreage: 777
- Lifts: 8
- Trails: 55
- Average annual snowfall: 207 inches (525 cm)
- Most recorded snowfall: 363 inches (2018-2019 season)
- First opened: 1938
Given its southern location and reputation for warm temperatures, Arizona does not generally come to mind as a destination for skiing for many people who live outside of the state. Thanks to improvements in the resort’s infrastructure in recent years, along with blessings from the snow gods, Arizona Snowbowl is helping to improve the reputation of Arizona as a skiing destination.
It never gets old that a mere two hour drive up the road and temps are 20+degrees cooler than the valley and there’s snow. How fun that you were able to enjoy the last of the ski season.