About

Snow Sports • Outdoor • $$$

Arizona Snowbowl is the big one. Arizona's premier ski resort sits 9 miles north of town on Snowbowl Road, and it's genuinely set up for families. Kids 12 and under ski free all season — that alone is worth the trip. The Snowburners lesson program teaches kids ages 4–12, and with 55 runs, 2,300 feet of vertical drop, downhill skiing, and snowboarding, there's plenty of room for everyone to find their comfort zone. Average snowfall is 260 inches, so the snow is usually legit. A free Mountain Express bus runs from downtown, so you don't even have to worry about parking — there is parking on site if you drive. Restrooms and a water fountain are on site, and the resort is wheelchair-accessible. The honest tradeoffs: this is a $$$ day, there is no shade on the slopes, and it starts at preschool, not toddlers. Weekdays run 10am–4pm; Friday and Saturday 10am–8pm; Sunday 10am–4pm. Leave the sleds at home — they're not permitted on the mountain.