| In a desert state and a city where the | | | | supports a healthy racing scene with |
| temperature reaches 38C on an average of 89 | | | | competitions of various lengths held |
| days during the year it may come as a | | | | throughout the winter for cross country |
| surprise that you can ski on real snow, on | | | | skiers. |
| real mountains, just a few hours from the | | | | |
| city of Phoenix, Arizona. | | | | The largest ski area in Arizona is Sunrise |
| | | | Park Resort, located in McNary in the Arizona |
| Snowfall in Phoenix itself is extremely rare; | | | | White Mountains. Owned and operated by the |
| the city only averages 5 days per year where | | | | White Mountains Apache Tribe, the areas |
| the temperature drops below freezing and | | | | comprises of eight lifts, and over 13 miles |
| since records began, snow has only fallen | | | | of cross country skiing trials. |
| seven times - the last of which was January | | | | |
| 2001 (the first snow fall in 22 years). | | | | And finally, if you want to ski in the most |
| | | | southerly ski resort in the Untied States, |
| However, much to the enjoyment of Phoenix's | | | | head for Mount Lemmon Ski Valley. Though |
| skiers and snowboarders, there are several | | | | Tucson is more likely to conjure up thoughts |
| ski resorts within a few hours drive which | | | | of sand rather than snow (several well-known |
| are perfect for a day or weekend trip and | | | | beach resorts are located here) - just an |
| should satisfy snow lovers' cravings for the | | | | hour's drive away from the sea there is |
| white stuff. | | | | skiing and snowboarding to be found. The area |
| | | | is small, with a vertical drop of just 290m, |
| Arizona Snowbowl is located in the San | | | | 3 lifts and a ski-able area of 200 acres, but |
| Francisco Peaks in the Coconino National | | | | despite its southerly location, the resort |
| Forest, just a two hour drive from Phoenix. | | | | still manages to open from December to April |
| The ski area offers over 2,300 feet of | | | | and the scenic views that overlook the area |
| vertical drop and 32 scenic trails that cover | | | | make Mt. Lemmon a popular ski destination. |
| 777 acres and the Arizonan desert climate | | | | |
| means the resort also enjoys plenty of sunny | | | | Accommodation is available in (or near) all |
| skiing days. | | | | of these winter towns in the form of cabins, |
| | | | lodges and motels. Be warned though - people |
| Those who prefer their skiing more sedate can | | | | come here to ski rather than party so if |
| visit the Flagstaff Nordic Center, located | | | | you're looking for a wild time, a better |
| just seven miles north of Snowbowl. This area | | | | option would be to stay at a hotel in Phoenix |
| offers winter sports fans an extensive | | | | and just commute to the ski areas during the |
| network of Nordic ski trails, as well as | | | | day. |
| snowshoeing and sledding. Flagstaff also | | | | |