Williams Arizona

Ah, Arizona. Land of sun, hot days and fun of skiing in winter. True, the skiing. Yes, Virginia, Arizona, known for tumbleweed snowmen, snow is.

There are four ski areas of choice in Arizona, all within a few hours drive from Phoenix, the capital of Arizona.

The best known ski areas in Arizona is located in northern Arizona, 7 miles north of Flagstaff. The Arizona Snowbowl offers 4 lifts and 32 trails for skiers and snowboards of all levels, and 2,300 feet of elevation gain. You can also test your freestyle skills at their Sunset Park field that includes obstacles and thorns. Accommodation available in nearby Flagstaff or you can choose to stay at the resort at the Ski Lift Lodge & cabins located at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. For reservations, call (928) 774-0729.

The largest ski resort in Arizona is located in McNary in eastern Arizona. The Sunrise Park Resort is owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe and is located 4 hours from Tucson and Phoenix. You for your skiing and snowboarding pleasure 800 acres on three interconnected mountains. base elevation is 9200 feet up to 11,000 feet. They offer 8 lifts and 65 trails for skiers of all levels, and an area separate snowboarding, cross-country skiing and a terrain park with half pipe snow, located wooden rails and metal. The Sunrise Ski Resort is open the first week of December through the first weekend of April. Night skiing begins January 2. Accommodation is available at the 100-room Sunrise Park Lodge located on Sunrise Lake. Winter rates start at $ 124 per night. Call (800) 772-7669 for more information.

Mt Lemmon Ski Valley is located on Mt. Lemmon just outside Tucson, which is the largest city in southern Arizona. Although smaller than the Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park Resort, Mt Lemmon Ski Valley offers 80 skiable acres, 3 lifts, 18 trails and a 907-m. Gradient. The longest runway is 8,500 ft. Their trail ratings are: easier to 20%, 38% harder and harder to 42%. There is no substantive or heli-skiing available.

For those of you learning to ski, you might want to head to the Elk Ridge Ski area, formerly Williams Ski Area located in Williams, Arizona, about 30 miles west of Flagstaff. The Elk Ridge Ski Area offers two lifts and seven trails. Elk Ridge is generally open Thursday through Monday, from mid December. Thursday is "the only ski area" day. For more information (928) 814-5038.

If you plan a visit to Arizona this winter, or if you live in Arizona, it is good to know a day of skiing is within driving distance. Who needs to jump on a plane to Colorado or Utah when winter fun is in your own backyarda