Snowboarding Zone - Arizona Snowbowl, AZ:
Riders Guide – With all the cactus and sand in the state, it's a surprise to discover that the Arizona Snowbowl is one of the best mountains in the Southwest, with an average snowfall of 260 inches and 4 lifts that can take up to 5,000 people per hour to the top of 32 runs divided pretty evenly for different ability levels, beginner: 37%, intermediate: 42%, and advanced: 21%. At Snowbowl riders will enjoy plenty of great runs on the 2,300 feet of vertical drop. Elk Ridge gets an average snowfall of 150 inches. Elk Ridge has more than 2 lifts to take guests to a variety of runs, divided as follows; beginner: 30%, intermediate: 50%, and advanced: 20%, there are plenty of snowboard opportunities on the 600 feet of vertical drop. Williams Ski Area is a smaller and intimate resort that boasts dozens of runs and the perfect opportunity for boarders to get in some great riding in an easily navigable ski area. All of the ski areas in Arizona have some great deals on lift tickets as well as discounted ski and stay packages throughout the season.
Parks and Pipes - Elk Ridge allows snowboards only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday which suits the mostly entry-level weekend boarder crowd that goes there. However, Arizona Snowbowl's Sunset Terrain Park has all the rails, fun boxes and jumps perfect for all levels of boarder and freestyle skier.
Out of Bounds – The Arizona Snowbowl is situated just 14 miles from Flagstaff, where guests will find endless opportunities for outdoor exploration. The Williams, Arizona area around Elk Ridge is a paradise of off-road exploration with snowmobiles, cross country trails and more. From Williams take the Grand Canyon Railway to the South Rim, one of the most wonderful 2.5 hours anyone can spend on a train. Also, don't miss the chance to see some incredible natural wonders like the red rocks of Sedona as well as a host of other beautiful, scenic escapes in the region.
Hangout & Hookup – Flagstaff is filled with great places to eat, drink and hang out. Ardrey Auditorium features great concerts. NAU is located in Flagstaff, so there are plenty of bars and clubs that cater to a younger crowd, for a touch of Mexico in Arizona, check out San Felipe's Cantina. In Williams, get your karaoke fix at Miss Kitty's Saloon which is great for underage boarders because it doubles as a steakhouse serving enormous portions. Definitely check out Pancho McGillicuddy's which frequently features live entertainment. The Sultana Bar is the place to go in Williams for serious drinking, dart playing and pool shooting.
The Deal - There are several airlines that serve Flagstaff Airport, but flying into Phoenix is also an option, from the city visitors can take the Open Road Tours shuttle bus. By car, Flagstaff is right on historical Route 66 at the junction of I-40 and I-17. Williams is also on I-40 and 30 miles East of Flagstaff.
