Skiing might not be the first thing you think of when you think of Arizona.
But Flagstaff, with an elevation of 6,000 feet, is actually a winter destination.
Today, I’m exploring the various options for skiing in Flagstaff, as well as in nearby cities.
Best Arizona Resorts for Skiing Near Flagstaff
1. Arizona SnowBowl (Flagstaff, AZ)
Known for: Providing the best skiing experience in Flagstaff and in the state of Arizona
Arizona Snowbowl on the western slope of Mount Humphreys just outside of Flagstaff is perhaps the most popular skiing resort in Arizona.
Often referred to as just Snowbowl, its 777 acres of skiable terrain, 55 trails, and 8 lifts offer a wide variety of experiences for all levels of skiers.
They have an extensive learning area with ski lessons, perfect for kids and beginners of all ages.
They also have at least 10 trails dedicated to advanced to expert skiers.
If you don’t have the equipment, they offer ski rentals, as well as snowboards, boots, helmets, and ski bikes.
Other Information
Distance from Flagstaff: 14.5 miles
Ski Season: Mid- to end-November until the end of April
Vertical Rise: 2,300 feet
Challenge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
2. Sunrise Park Resort (Greer, AZ)
Known as: The largest ski resort in Arizona
Set in the beautiful White Mountains of Arizona, Sunrise Park Resort covers 800 skiable acres with 69 trails spread across three mountains: Sunrise Peak, Apache Peak, and Cyclone Circle.
There are also separate areas for snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and snow tubing.
During the summer season, it becomes an outdoor adventure park, featuring Arizona’s longest zipline, rock climbing, horseback riding, scenic lift rides, camping, and Arizona’s only lift-served downhill mountain biking.
Other Information
Distance from Flagstaff: 181 miles
Ski Season: Thanksgiving to the end of March
Vertical Rise: 1,800 feet
Challenge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
3. Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley (Mt Lemmon, AZ)
Known for: Being the southernmost ski resort in the U.S.
Will 22 trails over 200 skiable acres, this ski resort may be smaller compared to the previous two, but getting to ski in the southernmost ski resort in the US can still be quite the experience.
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is tucked way up in the Santa Catalina Mountains just outside Tucson.
Aside from skiing and snowboarding, visitors come here for the views of the Santa Catalinas, Tucson, the San Pedro Valley, and the Reef of Rocks.
They offer ski lessons as well as snowboarding lessons for beginners, as well as equipment rentals, so don’t fret if you don’t have your equipment.
Other Information
Distance from Flagstaff: 272 miles
Ski Season: Mid-December to early April
Vertical Rise: 950 feet
Challenge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Best Utah Ski Resorts Near Flagstaff
Aside from Arizona ski resorts, there are other options for skiing near Flagstaff that are in neighboring states.
Let’s look at the ones in Utah first, where 500 inches of what they call the “Greatest Snow on Earth” fall every year.
4. Brian Head Resort (Brian Head, UT)
Known for: Having the highest base among Utah’s ski resorts
The two mountains Brian Head Peak and Navajo Peak make up Brian Head Resort. And with 71 trails over 665 skiable acres, there’s surely something for everyone.
With spectacular views of snowcapped hoodoos, canyons, and Utah’s famous red rocks, Brian Head Resort is simply one of the most scenic ski resorts in Utah.
For those who want a unique adventure, Brian Head Resort also offers night skiing on Friday and Saturday nights during ski season.
And for those who don’t want to ski or snowboard, or maybe just experience snow in a different way, their six-lane, lift-served Snow Tubing Park is perfect for everyone.
Other Information
Distance from Flagstaff: 281 miles
Ski Season: Mid-November to mid-April
Vertical Rise: 1707 feet
Challenge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
5. Eagle Point Resort (Beaver, Utah)
Known as: Southern Utah’s steepest and deepest ski and snowboard resort
Perched on secluded Mount Holly in the Tushar Mountains, Eagle Point Resort is a favorite of families and skiers who love quiet and want to get away from the more crowded ski resorts up north.
Their 600 skiable acres have remarkably varied terrain, with an excellent mix of beginner, immediate, and advanced trails.
Aside from skiing, Eagle Point also offers snowboarding, snow tubing, and snowshoe trails.
They also offer a sunset snowcat excursion, where guests can ride a heated snowcat to the Lookout Warming Hut and enjoy the breathtaking sunset views of the surrounding Tushar peaks from an elevation of 10,138 feet.
Other Information
Distance from Flagstaff: 339 miles
Ski Season: Mid-December to early April
Vertical Rise: 1,500 feet
Challenge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Best Colorado Ski Resorts Near Flagstaff
Colorado is the country’s top ski and snowboard destination and is often called Ski Country USA.
Luckily, a couple of these ski resorts are close enough to drive from Flagstaff.
6. Purgatory Resort (Durango, CO)
Known as: A family skiing destination offering the best value for money (according to Trip Advisor)
Purgatory Resort (formerly Durango) is a family ski vacation destination located north of Durango in the San Juan Mountains of southwestern Colorado.
With its 1,525 skiable acres with 88 trails of varying difficulties, as well as snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails, snow tubing, and terrain parks, there truly is something for everyone in this resort.
A unique experience is the Inferno Mountain Coaster, a ride set way up in the mountains, providing thrill-seekers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains while going through epic twists, turns, and descents.
Purgatory Snowcat Adventures also runs Colorado’s largest cat skiing operation. You’d have to be an expert-level skier so you can navigate untracked powder outside of resort boundaries.
Other Information
Distance from Flagstaff: 337 miles
Ski Season: Mid-November to mid-April
Vertical Rise: 2,029 feet
Challenge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
7. Telluride Ski & Golf (Telluride, CO)
Known for: Consistently voted as one of the top ski resorts in the country
Offering more than 2,000 acres of skiable terrain, and world-class amenities, all set in the spectacular San Juan Mountains, right next to a National Historic District and a modern alpine village, Telluride Ski & Golf Resort is a popular vacation destination that is constantly top-rated by its visitors.
Aside from skiing, other snow activities that are popular here include snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowshoe trails, and snowcat skiing.
Families like this ski resort as it’s less crowded than other ski resorts that are closer to Denver. And with over 125 trails, there is plenty of snow to go around.
And then there’s the town of Telluride, one of our picks for the best mountain towns in the US.
Other Information
Distance from Flagstaff: 338 miles
Ski Season: Mid-November to early April
Vertical Rise: 4,425 feet
Challenge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Expert
Best Nevada Ski Resort Near Flagstaff
There are only four ski resorts in Nevada, and fortunately, one of them is only a few hours away from Flagstaff.
8. Lee Canyon (Las Vegas, NV)
Known as: The only ski resort in southern Nevada
Skiing is probably the last thing on your mind when one mentions Las Vegas.
And so Lee Canyon Ski Resort up in the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area is a Las Vegas hidden gem.
With 195 skiable acres and 30 trails, it’s not as big as the others on this list, and the trails are geared more toward intermediate to advanced skiers.
Their terrain park has plenty of advanced features as well, like table-top jumps and assorted rails, perfect for trick skiers and snowboarders.
Other Information
Distance from Flagstaff: 302 miles
Ski Season: Early December to early April
Vertical Rise: 860 feet
Challenge Level: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced
Plan Your Skiing Vacation Today!
Want more skiing inspiration? Check out our picks for the best places to ski in the US this winter!
If you like snow but not skiing, you can go through our list of winter vacations for ideas.
Or if you changed your mind and want to go somewhere warm this winter, we’ve got you covered, too.
