Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Arizona Skiing - Yes, Snow Skiing! By Shari Hearn
Ah, Arizona. Land of sun, scorching summer days and winter skiing fun. That’s right, skiing. Yes, Virginia, Arizona, known for tumbleweed snowmen, actually gets snow.
There are four ski areas to choose from in Arizona, all within a few hours drive from Phoenix, the capital of Arizona.
The most well-known of the 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 vertical drop. You can also test your freestyle skills at their Sunset Terrain Park which includes obstacles and spines. Lodging available in nearby Flagstaff or you can choose to stay at the ski 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 just a 4-hour drive from Tucson and Phoenix. You have for your skiing and snowboarding pleasure 800 acres on three interconnected mountains. Base elevation is 9,200 feet extending up to 11,000 feet. They offer 8 lifts and 65 runs for skiers of all levels, as well as a separate snowboarding area, cross country ski trails, and a Terrain Park featuring a snow half pipe, implanted wood and metal rails. The Sunrise Ski Resort is open from the first week of December through the first weekend of April. Night skiing begins January 2. Lodging is available at the 100-room Sunrise Park Lodge located on Sunrise Lake. Winter rates begin 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. Though smaller than the Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park Resort, Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley offers 80 skiable acres, 3 lifts, 18 trails and a 907-ft. vertical drop. The longest run is 8,500 ft. Their trail ratings are: Easiest at 20%; More Difficult at 38% and Most Difficult at 42%. There is no cross-country or heli skiing available.
For those of you learning to ski, you might want to head up to the Elk Ridge Ski Area, formerly the Williams Ski Area located in Williams, Arizona, approximately 30 miles west of Flagstaff. The Elk Ridge Ski Area offers two lifts and seven trails. Elk Ridge is typically open Thursday through Monday, starting mid December. Thursdays is “skiing only” day. For more information call (928) 814-5038.
If you’re planning a visit to Arizona this winter, or if you live in Arizona, it’s nice to know a day of skiing is within driving distance. Who needs to hop a plane to Colorado or Utah when winter fun is right in your own backyard?
Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of [http://www.skivacation411.com]Ski Vacations, where you can find [http://www.skivacation411.com/Lake_Tahoe_Ski_Resort.html]Lake Tahoe Ski Resort information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shari_Hearn [http://ezinearticles.com/?Arizona-Skiing---Yes,-Snow-Skiing!&id=328897 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Arizona-Skiing---Yes,-Snow-Skiing!&id=328897
There are four ski areas to choose from in Arizona, all within a few hours drive from Phoenix, the capital of Arizona.
The most well-known of the 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 vertical drop. You can also test your freestyle skills at their Sunset Terrain Park which includes obstacles and spines. Lodging available in nearby Flagstaff or you can choose to stay at the ski 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 just a 4-hour drive from Tucson and Phoenix. You have for your skiing and snowboarding pleasure 800 acres on three interconnected mountains. Base elevation is 9,200 feet extending up to 11,000 feet. They offer 8 lifts and 65 runs for skiers of all levels, as well as a separate snowboarding area, cross country ski trails, and a Terrain Park featuring a snow half pipe, implanted wood and metal rails. The Sunrise Ski Resort is open from the first week of December through the first weekend of April. Night skiing begins January 2. Lodging is available at the 100-room Sunrise Park Lodge located on Sunrise Lake. Winter rates begin 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. Though smaller than the Arizona Snowbowl and Sunrise Park Resort, Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley offers 80 skiable acres, 3 lifts, 18 trails and a 907-ft. vertical drop. The longest run is 8,500 ft. Their trail ratings are: Easiest at 20%; More Difficult at 38% and Most Difficult at 42%. There is no cross-country or heli skiing available.
For those of you learning to ski, you might want to head up to the Elk Ridge Ski Area, formerly the Williams Ski Area located in Williams, Arizona, approximately 30 miles west of Flagstaff. The Elk Ridge Ski Area offers two lifts and seven trails. Elk Ridge is typically open Thursday through Monday, starting mid December. Thursdays is “skiing only” day. For more information call (928) 814-5038.
If you’re planning a visit to Arizona this winter, or if you live in Arizona, it’s nice to know a day of skiing is within driving distance. Who needs to hop a plane to Colorado or Utah when winter fun is right in your own backyard?
Shari Hearn is a writer and creator of [http://www.skivacation411.com]Ski Vacations, where you can find [http://www.skivacation411.com/Lake_Tahoe_Ski_Resort.html]Lake Tahoe Ski Resort information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shari_Hearn [http://ezinearticles.com/?Arizona-Skiing---Yes,-Snow-Skiing!&id=328897 ]http://EzineArticles.com/?Arizona-Skiing---Yes,-Snow-Skiing!&id=328897
Labels: arizona skiing, Flagstaff, mt. lemmon, phoenix, snowbowl, sunrise ski resort, tucson
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Flagstaff - the Perfect Getaway from Phoenix - by Steve Sasman
"If you live in Phoenix Arizona, you probably love the desert climate. Year around sun and it never gets too cold. However, the 3 or 4 months of summer can be downright suffocating, with many days over 110 degrees. So, what can you possibly do to escape the heat? Go North Young Man! Or so the modified saying goes. Yes, in less than 2 hours you can drive up I-17 north to Flagstaff, and be in a totally different climate and lifestyle. The first thing you will notice is the temperature. It is usually about 30 degrees cooler than Phoenix. What a relief. You don't even need air conditioning in Flagstaff. That should tell you something. The next thing you will notice is the clean air filled with the crisp clean smell of pine trees. Most people don't really complain about the Phoenix air, but once you compare the difference it will be hard to go back. Things to do in Flagstaff Flagstaff is a charming little town with lots to do. The Historic Downtown area has many great shops and restaurants evening entertainment. There are some great coffee houses that you can kick back and read a book, or strike up a conversation with someone else passing through the town. Hiking, Biking and Golf. Flagstaff is an outdoor enthusiasts dream. With trails for hiking and biking too numerous to list, and many great mountain golf courses cut out of the pine forests, there will never be a lack of things to keep you active. For the adventurous, there is always climbing the summit of Mt. Humphrey's, which is Arizona's highest peak, or even making the drive to the Grand Canyon, just a few hours away. Northern Arizona University is right next to downtown, so there are always plenty of activities for visitors as well as the local student population. One of the major summer activities involves the Arizona Cardinals NFL team, as they hold their annual training camp on the campus of NAU during August. Arizona Snow Bowl is the local Ski resort, and offers some of the best skiing in the state of Arizona. That is right, just 2 hours north of Phoenix and you can be on the slopes in the winter time. Places to Stay Yes, there are plenty of hotels in Flagstaff. If you are going to go that route, at least stay at one like the historic Monte Vista in downtown Flagstaff. However, if you want to take in the charm and lifestyle of Flagstaff, look into a Vacation Rental Cabin. These offer much more to your experience than a cookie cutter hotel room. One last tip. When driving home, take the longer route through Oak Creek Canyon to Sedona. It is one of the most beautiful drives you will ever take."
Steve Sasman owns http://www.FlagstaffRentalCabin.com It is a great Cabin in the Cool Pines of Flagstaff, Arizona. It is available for short term vacation rentals. Visit Site: http://www.moremobileinternet.com
Steve Sasman owns http://www.FlagstaffRentalCabin.com It is a great Cabin in the Cool Pines of Flagstaff, Arizona. It is available for short term vacation rentals. Visit Site: http://www.moremobileinternet.com
Labels: Arizona, Flagstaff, Flagstaff hotels and vacation rental cabins, things to do
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