Winter Van Life: Arizona Snowbowl
When We Visited: March 2019
Arizona wasn’t high on my list of places to ski. When I think of Arizona, I think of melting heat, murderous to snow. I think of cactus, not coniferous trees. Then, I discovered Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl.
In February 2019, our ski season went on hold for an unexpected detour from Idaho to Southern California to Southwest Arizona. By March, we found ourselves making our way north again for more skiing and snowboarding. Some resorts were already a mere month away from their closing date. But our goal was to make the most of the remaining season and hit as many partner resorts that offered free days using our Brundage season passes. This included Arizona Snowbowl.
To be honest, I was worried conditions wouldn’t be too appealing since they get less than 300 inches on average each year. But we had powder days the whole time we were there! On the chairlift, a local commented…
It’s never like this!
According to Arizona Snowbowl’s blog, they were making history during our visit in mid-March 2019.
The glade runs accessible from the Agassiz chairlift were our favorite.
I’m embarrassed to say, I didn’t ride the Agassiz chairlift our first day there. A sign at the bottom indicates it is an expert’s only area. I hesitate to do this type of terrain in a place I don’t know without Kyle, who was back at the van keeping Bruce Leroy, our dog, company. But after Kyle shared his experience of Agassiz the first day, I decided to give it a try on the second. I was happy to learn no expert moves were required like mandatory air.
If we visit again, I want to explore the backcountry from the top of the Agassiz chairlift and view the Grand Canyon and Sedona from the Grand Canyon Express chairlift. Conditions were unfavorable to doing either of these things while we were at Arizona Snowbowl.
Plan Your RV/Van Life Road Trip to Snowbowl
snowbowl.ski
9300 North Snowbowl Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86002
(928) 447-9928
customerservice@snowbowl.ski
Pass affiliations: Power Pass 2023/24, Loveland 2023/24, Monarch Mountain 2023/24
Other resort partnerships included in Arizona Snowbowl’s season pass
Mountain Stats
- Average snowfall: 260 inches
- Skiable terrain: 777 acres
- Vertical rise: 2,800 feet
- More stats
Driving to Snowbowl
To get to Arizona Snowbowl from Flagstaff, you’ll take US-180 (Fort Valley Road) to North Snow Bowl Road.
There was a lot of congestion driving the surface streets of Flagstaff, and we avoided directions that took us on Interstate 40 since there were slick conditions during our visit. High rates of speed can be more catastrophic to our mobile home in the event of a collision.
Once you turn onto North Snow Bowl Road, it’s about a 7-mile drive to the ski area. It’s a twisty two-lane road that gains elevation but nothing too scary. There is a sizable shoulder if you need to pull over at any point. Driving North Snow Bowl Road one morning, we came upon a head-on collision shortly after it happened. A storm was passing through dumping six inches of snow on our first day and 11 inches our second day.
For road conditions, check Arizona Snowbowl’s snow report.
Parking at Snowbowl
We parked in the lots closest to the Hart Prairie Lodge for the most level parking and to be closest to Guest Services. Refer to Snowbowl’s Trail Map to see how their parking is laid out.
Arizona Snowbowl is a smaller ski resort with 777 skiable acres. However, it is very popular, perhaps because Flagstaff is a college town and only about 3 hours from Phoenix. We tried to arrive before the lifts started spinning to ensure we got parking.
Where to Sleep in Your Van/RV
Overnight RV camping is not permitted at Arizona Snowbowl due to their operating permit with the US Forest Service. See Snowbowl’s Parking Information page for more information.
Black Bart’s RV Park – 16.2 miles / 35 minutes in Flagstaff – The reviews on Campendium are not kind, and other online reviews are mixed, but it worked for us in March 2019. They offer full hookups, dumpsters, a small convenience store, and a steakhouse. They used to have a bathhouse with showers, but upon checking reviews and their website in May 2023, they no longer do. I had a strong AT&T signal here in 2019.
The front desk staff put us in the closest site to the bathhouse and laundry facilities (no longer available), which was relatively level.
The park was quiet aside from the highway noise. It is directly adjacent to Interstate 40.
We ordered a couple of burgers to-go from Black Bart’s Steakhouse one evening when we didn’t feel like cooking. In 2019, they were expensive at $17. Plus $1 for cheese. In 2023, they are now $22. But, you do get a salad and a side if that makes you feel better. They weren’t the best burgers we’ve had for that price, but they did the job. As an RV park guest, you get 10% off your bill if you dine-in.
I found RV park options in the Flagstaff area to be very expensive. In 2019, Black Bart’s was $55 per night. In 2023, they are $75 per night. Other RV parks were close to the same if not a lot more expensive.
I looked into staying at a cheap hotel while we were in Flagstaff using HotelTonight. It was almost worth it until I had to add on charges for having a dog. It’s less stressful to stay in the van anyway. We don’t have to move our stuff from the van to the hotel room and back again. And I don’t have to worry if our van’s contents are safe overnight while we’re not sleeping in it.
We looked into dispersed camping options as there are many around Flagstaff but everything was snowed in.
I would check out The Little America Travel Center next door to Black Bart’s. They get amazing reviews for their clean showers and laundry facilities.
Working Remotely at Snowbowl
In 2019, AT&T cell service was just okay in Arizona Snowbowl’s Hart Prairie Lodge Parking Lot. Emailing and texting worked fine but service was too unstable for phone calls and streaming, even with a booster. It might be different now in 2023. Otherwise, head to Flagstaff for the most reliable cell service.
Conveniences Near Snowbowl
While Skibowl’s address is in Flagstaff, the main city is about a half hour from the ski area. Since it’s a college town, it should have everything you need.
We like grocery shopping at Sprouts Farmers Market, but a Google search returns over a dozen other options, including three Safeways, Whole Foods, and more. We also like shopping at Safeway for earning fuel credits.
Other Arizona Ski Areas
- Sunrise Park Resort (Indy Pass 2023/24) – 192 miles / 3.5 hours in Greer
- Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley – 311 miles / 6 hours in Mt. Lemmon
