Recommended sites for managed snow

Fort Tuthill County Park
This site's location may be ideal for Phoenix-area visitors who travel to the Flagstaff area via I-17. The park has existing infrastructure such as paved roads, parking, ramadas, restrooms and other facilities. By offering snow play at Fort Tuthill many visitors will not need to travel on Highway 180, where most use is currently concentrated. Snow conditions will likely be marginal during more of the winter season due to its lower elevation than the Highway 180 corridor. However, during busy weekends when snow is present the availability of this site could greatly reduce traffic and parking problems on private property, neighborhood roadways, the Highway 180 corridor and Snowbowl Road. This site currently does not offer substantial hills for sledding, but could give visitors a place to play in the snow, build snowmen, and enjoy a slower paced, family oriented winter experience. Temporary sledding hills made of wood chips or other portable materials should be considered. Adjacent National Forest lands with sledding terrain could be considered as well. A snow play area at Fort Tuthill would provide a valuable experience for local residents, visitors, and help meet the Coconino County Parks and Recreation mission and vision of "Providing recreational opportunities…that will improve the quality of life for all by partnering with others to offer a variety of recreational experiences and provide quality facilities and services."

Wing Mountain Snowplay Area
For the first time, Northern Arizona has an organized snow play area with plowed and managed parking, hot beverages, sleds and other concessions. Activities include sledding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and playing in the snow. Wing Mountain Snowplay Area is a little further west than Snowbowl, but serves as a great area to take your younger ones tubing and sledding. The area does charge $10 per car.

Arizona Snowbowl
Located on the scenic San Francisco Peaks in the Coconino National Forest, the Arizona Snowbowl is just minutes from Flagstaff and only two hours from Phoenix. This cool mountain oasis offers a range of challenging terrain for both skiers and snowboarders, with over 2,300 feet of vertical drop and 32 scenic trails that cover 777 acres. Our desert climate means we enjoy lots of sunny days, fabulous skiing conditions and legendary southwestern powder.

The Arizona Snowbowl boasts very unique and spectacular scenery; after all where else can you ride a hit the slopes and see the North Rim of the Grand Canyon? And the outdoor opportunities don't stop at the ski resort. The Snowbowl is situated in the backyard of the Kachina Peaks Wilderness, where you can enjoy the best in Arizona cross-country skiing, skijoring, or snowshoeing.

Snowbowl sits on the western flanks of the majestic San Francisco Peaks, with the highest point in Arizona, Humphreys Peak at an elevation of 12,633 feet, looming near by. This year, the resort celebrates its 70th anniversary - it's one of the oldest continually run ski areas in the nation.

Pending a court decision, Arizona Snowbowl should make development of the proposed tubing facility one of its highest priorities if authorized to move forward with its Master Development Plan. This operation would provide amenities toward the highest end of the spectrum including groomed tubing lanes, lifts, snowmaking, etc. Arizona Snowbowl's high elevation would ensure snow play opportunities during times of little or no snow at lower elevations.

Cinch Hook
The Northern Arizona Winter Recreation Task Force recommends that the Mogollon Rim Ranger District of the Coconino National Forest permit a concession-run snow play site at Cinch Hook parking area near the junction of Highways 87 and 260. This site would provide an opportunity for East Valley visitors that travel to snow country on Highway 87. Concession operation will provide sufficient revenue to support necessary sanitation services, parking management, snow removal and general snow play oversight and emergency contact support. Concession operation will also establish consistent hours and access to the site throughout the season.

Sunrise Park Resort
In the heart of Arizona's magnificent White Mountains, Sunrise Park Resort is a recreational paradise offering a wide range of fun and excitement. In winter, our three mountains offer some of the finest skiing in the Western United States. Our 65 runs promise adventure for skiers of any level. There is also a separate snowboarding area, cross country ski trails and a special children's "ski-wee" area.

The Sunrise Park Lodge, located near beautiful Sunrise Lake, is available for comfortable lodging in the winter and summer seasons. The 100-room hotel offers great dining, indoor pool and whirlpool, lounge and game room. In summer, a marina is open for boat rentals.

You can escape into the wilderness, ski, mountain bike, enjoy their annual festivals and fish to your heart's content. Or you can simply look out on some of the most beautiful land in Arizona. Summer or winter, when you come to Sunrise Park Resort in the White Mountains of Arizona, you'll find a land, and excitement, you'll want to experience throughout the year.

Skiers and Snowboarders alike won't want to miss the Sunrise Express High Speed Detachable Quad Chairlift. Beginning in the '97-98 season this lift replaced the primary lift on the Sunrise Mountain and anchors the ten lifts at the area resulting in an uphill skier capacity of more than 16,000 skiers per hour.

For Snowboarders and Skiers Sunrise offers a Terrain Park. Within site of Sunrise Day Lodge, the park features a snow half pipe, implanted wood and metal rails, and a special event area with jumps ranging from beginner to advanced.