“We were on the mountain by 5 and first on the chairlift at 9. It was 16 degrees.”
Like Santa’s elves, Arizona Snowbowl employees are working day and night this month, making snow as temperatures allow, moving it around the mountain and grooming trails. Following its longest ski season on record – closing on Saturday, June 1, 2024 – Snowbowl has set another record with its earliest opening day ever.
“Opening Nov. 8 certainly had and continues to have many people talking about the ski season,” said Discover Flagstaff Marketing and Media Relations Vice President Lori Pappas.
“It gives Flagstaff and Arizona Snowbowl bragging rights as being among the first resorts to open in North America, jumping ahead of most ski hills in Colorado, Utah, Lake Tahoe and even Canada!”
The Arizona Gondola began spinning at 9 a.m. on opening day, taking this year’s first Snowbowl guests up to five advanced and intermediate trails. For 16-year-old Brendin Ogg of Flagstaff, the race for first chair of the season has been on for years.
“Last year, I missed being first by two people,” said Ogg of his opening-season ritual, which he shares with his dad. “This year, I made sure I was out of bed by 4:30 a.m. We were on the mountain by 5 and first on the chairlift at 9. It was 16 degrees.”
“Opening early took extensive efforts from all of the mountain teams but specifically the snowmaking team and grooming team,” said Marketing Manager Angie Grubb. “We are excited about the many fantastic days to come on the mountain this winter, perhaps even more days of skiing and snowboarding than last season!”
NEW ASPEN CHAIRLIFT COMING SOON
Snowbowl crews are working to install the new Aspen Chairlift, which takes the place of the oldest lift on the mountain dating back to the 1960s. “The new lift is a state-of-the-art fixed grip quad that promises a smoother, faster journey up the mountain and more time on the slopes,” said Grubb. “In addition, the new Aspen lift will service four new beginner trails.”
The lift will be positioned 190 degrees north of the previous location, allowing access to new terrain within the Forest Service special use permit that allows Snowbowl to operate within its boundaries, covering 777 skiable acres.
“Our teams have been working throughout the whole summer to bring the new Aspen Chairlift to life and we are looking forward to unveiling it to our guests in the near future!” said Grubb.
OTHER SEASON HIGHLIGHTS
Snowbowl plans to bring back Passholder Early Load Days, an exclusive event for season passholders that allows early access to the mountain on the Grand Canyon Express Chairlift.
Other fan-favorite activities planned for the 2024-25 season include the Winter Coat Drive, the High Country Adaptive Sports Tetra Ski Race and Special Olympics, the Annual Cardboard Derby and the Slash N’ Bash Banked Slalom race.
Meanwhile, Agassiz Lodge is serving breakfast. Hart Prairie Lodge is offering some discounts and the Fremont Restaurant & Bar will be open again this season for additional dining options.
Mountain Line’s free shuttle service will be running from Flagstaff High School to Snowbowl daily from Dec. 26 through Jan. 5 and on Saturdays in January and February, excluding Feb. 1. FBN
By Bonnie Stevens, FBN
For more information, visit ArizonaSnowbowl.com.
Courtesy Photo: Arizona Snowbowl team members and snow sports enthusiasts barely had time to pack away their gear from last year’s record-long season before jumping back on the chairlift in early November.