Celebrate winter in July at Phoenix Zoo

PHOENIX - The Phoenix Zoo is bracing for a winter storm this Saturday with nearly 60 tons of snow expected.

The Arctic blast will allow animals and zoo guests a chance to cool off in the icy conditions.

Kids will be able to play in 20 tons of snow with separate play areas for toddlers and older children.

Zoo guests can watch as elephants, giraffes, warty pigs, otters and other animals get into the winter spirit with fish-sicles, blood-sicles, and fruit-sicles.

Many of the animals will get to play in 35 tons of snow and savor the fruity frozen treats donated by Fry's Food Stores.

Reba, the zoo's resident elephant, will get a cool down from a fire hose.

You can learn from keepers how the zoo animals stay cool in the summer at the following times:

7:30 a.m. – Otter

8:00 a.m. – Tiger

8:30 a.m.– Mandrill and Baboons

9:00 a.m. – Elephants

9:30 a.m. – Warty Pigs

10:00 a.m. – Galapagos and Aldabra Tortoise

10:30 a.m. – Orangutans 

11:00 a.m. – Elephant shower with a fire hose

The fun starts Saturday, July 21 starting at 7 a.m. and goes until 11 a.m.

The activities are included in the price of admission.