Flagstaff Ski Resort - Arizona Snowbowl Info & Tips

skiing and snowboarding at AZ Snowbowl

If you didn't already know, Flagstaff's ski resort, Arizona Snowbowl, is one of the best-kept ski resort secrets in the country. For real! Where else can you still get an unlimited weekday lift pass for under $200 for the entire season? The resort is admittedly a bit small, but the vertical relief, backcountry access, and tree play are really quite remarkable. Arizona Snowbowl is one of two (arguably three) ski resorts in Arizona. The ski resort is located on the San Francisco Peaks with an elevation of 11,500 ft. at the top of the highest chair lift. The lifts do not go all the way up the mountain, but there is an avid backcountry ski culture in Flagstaff that enjoys skinning up to higher elevations and exploring the rest of the range with proper backcountry knowledge, experience and gear. If you need to brush up on your avalanche knowledge and skills, Kachina Peak Avalanche Center is a great place to do so. The average snowfall in the past has been 260 inches with some years being much better than others. But Arizona Snowbowl has been permitted to make snow in hopes of providing a more consistent and enjoyable snow season. Snowmaking is a controversial topic for Flagstaff locals, environmentalists, and indigenous people of northern Arizona. The San Francisco Peaks are sacred to Natives and manmade snow is created with reclaimed water. Over the years, there have been efforts made to stop the making of snow, but as of now, snowmaking is actively being done to ensure a better, more consistent snowpack at the resort all winter long.

Ski Resort Lift Tickets & Season Passes

So here's the deal. Arizona Snowbowl is actually quite affordable if you purchase a lift ticket in advance. Early Bird Season Passes, Weekday Passes, and even full Powder Passes are heavily discounted if you buy them during the summer. A Weekday Seaspm Pass (Monday-Friday) costs only $199 if you buy it early. If you're not sure if you will be around for the season, buy insurance for your pass ranging from $7-$13 and have your season pass refunded (make sure to read the insurance limitations before purchasing). If you're looking to buy a day pass, try to purchase it about two weeks before the date you want to go. If you wait until there is an epic snowstorm to buy your lift ticket, expect to pay anywhere from $100-$200+. The resort ticketing system seems to follow a supply and demand model - the more demand, the higher the ticket price. Buying in advance allows everyone to ski/ride affordably, and the expensive pricing on powder days limits the number of people on the mountain. In addition, kids 12 and under get a FREE season pass!

Directions to Arizona Snowbowl

Snowbowl is located 7 miles northwest of Flagstaff on Highway 180. Turn right on Snowbowl Road and continue another 7 miles. The Ski Lift Lodge & Cabins are located on Highway 180, at the base of Snowbowl Road.

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GPS Coordinates
Latitude: 35° 19.51'N
Longitude: 111° 42.339 W

Directions to Arizona Snowbowl from I-17

Continue on 1-17 North through Flagstaff to Milton Road and take it for 3 miles. Milton will go under the railroad tracks and the road will bear to the right. Take a left at Humphreys Street, which is the first stop light. At the third stop light (Hwy 180), turn left. Continue 7 miles to Snowbowl Road and then turn right. The resort is 7 miles up Snowbowl Road.

Parking, Hitchhiking or Shuttling Up from Flagstaff

If Flagstaff recently or is currently experiencing a snowstorm, then you can safely bet that not only will the ski resort be packed, but that Snowbowl Road will be prohibited to vehicles without chains, AWD or 4WD. There will be a traffic coordinator at the base of the mountain directing people into a lower parking lot or letting capable vehicles through. If you must park at the lower lot, there is a Snowbowl shuttle that will bring you up to the resort. It quite convenient and free. They come about every 20-30 minutes, depending on the conditions and traffic. Hitchhiking is also a common way to get up to the resort. If you see a vehicle that has room for you and your gear on its way up, you wouldn't be the first powder-hungry skiier/snowboarder to ask for a ride up. But please remember to be kind, respectful, and thankful if you get a ride up. It's good karma, which is key in keeping hitchhiking up to the mountain alive and well in Flagstaff.

YOU WILL BE TURNED AWAY IF YOU ARE ONLY COMING TO SLED OR PLAY IN THE SNOW. SLEDDING AND SNOW PLAY IS NOT PERMITTED AT ANY TIME AT SNOWBOWL.

** Also, be aware that if you are coming on a 3-day weekend or day right after a powder dumping, Snowbowl could reach maximum capacity and start turning people away. So plan on being at the base of the mountain turning onto Snowbowl Rd. by 8am to guarantee getting a parking spot on holiday weekends or other peak days.

Free Shuttle to Snowbowl from Downtown Flagstaff

Mountain Express bus The Mountain Express Shuttle provides FREE shuttle service between Downtown Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl with FREE Park-n-Ride at Flagstaff High School!

Mountain Express Stops & Schedule

Pick-Up: FREE Park-n-Ride at Flagstaff High School! (services Downtown Flagstaff to Arizona Snowbowl) Every 30 minutes from 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM on scheduled days

2024/2025 Mountain Express Shuttle Schedule:
Operating daily, December 26, 2024 – January 5, 2025 – 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM. Operating Saturdays & Sundays in January & February through February 23, 2025, excluding Saturday, February 1, 2025.

Mountain Express Stops

Downtown Connection Center (The first bus departs at 7:30 am)
Flagstaff High School Park-n-Ride *Flagstaff High School pick-up area is on Kendrick St. on the east side of the school.*
Hart Prairie Lodge (Last bus departs at 5:30 pm).

Tobacco use of all forms is strictly prohibited on all Flagstaff Unified School District property.

Snowbowl Discounts on Lift Tickets, Lessons, Gear Rental and More

Keep an eye out for Snowbowl's kind of amazing discounts and packages. If you don’t already have a pass, try to purchase your lift ticket online as far in advance as possible. There’s a good chance it could be up to 70% less than buying it the day of. Snowbowl has this ridiculously good deal in March where lift tickets start at $19, and often it includes a FREE $15 gift card and $15 rentals and lessons. The $15 can be used for food and retail. If you’ve gotten this far on this page and you missed it, then you should also know that kids age 12 and under get a FREE season pass. No adult pass purchase is necessary or anything like that. Kids can just show up, sign up, and get a season pass with guardian consent.

Ski and Snowboard Rental

Unless you’re buying a ski/snowboard package that includes a lesson and gear at Snowbowl, we recommend renting your gear in town before heading up to the resort. There are several snow gear rental shops in the town that have a variety of higher-quality gear at cheaper daily rates. Plus, the people who work at the ski shops tend to have a little more gear knowledge than those up at the mountain. The ski and snowboard rental shops in town also have a wide selection of demo gear if you’re feeling adventurous and want to try something different.

Hotels Near Snowbowl

Do you need a place to stay? Making a day trip is possible, but incredibly exhausting if you’re traveling from the metro Phoenix area. Not to mention traffic and a high likelihood of a traffic backup on the I-17. There are several clean and convenient motels that start at $35/night if you need a place to just rest for the night. If you’re making a weekend of it with friends or family, consider a hotel, vacation home or cabin with a hot tub or a fireplace. No ski vacation is complete without the winter accouterment! We’ve made a few lists of accommodations that you may find helpful.

Village Camp Outdoor Resort

Village Camp offers shuttle rides to guests from the resort in Bellemont directly to Arizona Snowbowl. Rides are $35 per person and they depart at 8:00am and 11:30am. Reserve Your Stay & Shuttle Ride »

Breakfast & Coffee on the Way to Snowbowl

Regardless of where you’re starting your morning, you’re likely going to want something to eat before you start shredding the gnar pow. Guess what? There are more places in Flagstaff to eat and get coffee than Macy’s or Starbucks! We love Macy’s but there are a few other local breakfast spots on the way to Snowbowl that will get you fed, happy and on your way quite quickly so that you don’t waste a minute of your lift ticket. Our recommendation for great food and coffee on the way up to Snowbowl is Kickstand Kafe and Flagstaff Station Market Cafe on Ft. Valley Road. Kickstand Kafe has incredible breakfast sandwiches, burritos, and pastries. They even have a drive-through window! Flagstaff Station Market has a variety of freshly baked goods and a large selection of breakfast and lunch items made to order with fresh ingredients to satisfy most dietary preferences.

LODGING FOR YOUR SKI/SNOWBOARDING VACATION

Little America Hotel Flagstaff

Little America is truly one of the best Flagstaff hotels. From our 500-acre private forest to our friendly, knowledgeable concierge staff, Little America exemplifies the adventurous spirit and hospitality of Grand Canyon area Flagstaff hotels.

Flagstaff Ski Resort - Arizona Snowbowl Info & Tips

Ski Resort Lift Tickets & Season Passes

Directions to Arizona Snowbowl

Directions to Arizona Snowbowl from I-17

Parking, Hitchhiking or Shuttling Up from Flagstaff

Free Shuttle to Snowbowl from Downtown Flagstaff

Mountain Express Stops & Schedule

Mountain Express Stops

Snowbowl Discounts on Lift Tickets, Lessons, Gear Rental and More

Hotels Near Snowbowl

Breakfast & Coffee on the Way to Snowbowl

BOOK YOUR STAY NOW

LODGING FOR YOUR SKI/SNOWBOARDING VACATION

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