Flagstaff · San Francisco Peaks · Ski area and scenic gondola
Arizona Snowbowl
Ride the Arizona Gondola to 11,500 feet for views to Sedona and, on clear days, the Grand Canyon, then come back in winter for 777 acres of ski terrain just north of Flagstaff.
Opens Snowbowl’s lift ticket page. Prices are demand-based, so buying online and in advance saves the most.
Details checked October 2026
Type
Winter ski area
Plus summer and fall scenic gondola sightseeing
Admission
$9–$79 lift tickets
Winter day tickets, online. Gondola rides $20–$45.
Hours
Summer 10–4 · Winter 9–4
Gondola rides through Oct 18. Skiing opens Nov 20; winter hours are typical.
Time needed
20–30 min ride
Plus about 15 min for the summit walk
Parking
8 lots, 2 base areas
No parking on Snowbowl Road
Top elevation
11,500 ft
Highest lift-served point in Arizona
What you’ll see
Arizona from 11,500 feet
Snowbowl works two ways: scenic gondola rides in summer and fall, then skiing and riding once winter arrives.
Start here
The Arizona Gondola scenic ride
From the Agassiz base area, the Arizona Gondola lifts you in fully enclosed cabins to 11,500 feet, the highest lift-served point in Arizona. A round trip takes about 20 to 30 minutes, and the view runs across cinder cones and pine ridges to the red rocks of Sedona and, on a clear day, the Grand Canyon.
RV tip: one scenic ticket covers unlimited rides all day, though you unload at the bottom between laps. In monsoon season, ride in the morning, before afternoon storms can pause the lift.
More to see
- Summit overlook walkFrom the top terminal, a short trail with one switchback climbs to a large overlook near 12,000 feet, with interpretive signs and picnic tables. Allow about 15 minutes round trip.
- Fall chairlift ridesFrom October 3 to 18, 2026, scenic rides on the Grand Canyon Express chairlift run alongside the gondola, floating over the turning aspens.
- Agassiz Lodge & the 9,500′ BarFood and drinks at the gondola base. Adult scenic tickets (13+) bought online by 11:59 pm the day before include $10 in Snowbowl Cash to spend at the resort.
- Winter skiing & riding777 skiable acres, 61 runs and 8 lifts above a 9,200-foot base, plus what Snowbowl calls the largest beginner terrain in the Southwest. The 2026/27 season is scheduled to open November 20.
Why go
A cool, high-country escape just north of Flagstaff
Snowbowl sits on the western slope of Mount Humphreys, the highest point in Arizona and the best-known summit of the San Francisco Peaks, the eroded remains of a dormant volcano. The resort operates under a special use permit from the Coconino National Forest, and skiers have ridden lifts here since a rope tow opened in 1938.
For RVers the appeal is the elevation without the effort. The base area sits at 9,200 feet, so summer and fall days run far cooler than the desert, and the drive is short: about 7 miles northwest of downtown Flagstaff on US-180, then about 7 miles up paved Snowbowl Road. If you can, leave the big rig at camp and drive up in the tow vehicle.
Two seasons stand out. In September and October the aspens along the road and under the gondola turn gold, and scenic rides run daily. In winter, Snowbowl averages 260 inches of snow, with a season that typically runs from mid-November into spring.
Photo: Spencer James Lucas on Unsplash
Why it made our list
- The highest lift-served point in Arizona, at 11,500 feet
- About 30 minutes from downtown Flagstaff
- Unlimited gondola rides on one scenic ticket
- Gold aspens from the gondola in fall
- Winter lift tickets from $9 on select dates
For RVers
Taking the rig up to Snowbowl
The practical stuff we wished someone had told us before we pulled in.
Plan the drive up Snowbowl Road
Snowbowl Road is a paved forest road that climbs about 7 miles from US-180 to the base areas, and parking is not allowed anywhere along it. Snowbowl does not publish size limits for RVs or trailers, so if you drive a big rig, call (928) 447-9928 before you go, or leave the rig at camp and drive up in your tow vehicle.
Park at the right base area
Snowbowl has two base areas. The Hart Prairie lots (1–4) serve the ticket office, rentals and ski school. The Agassiz lots (5–8) sit beside Agassiz Lodge and the Arizona Gondola, which is where scenic riders want to be.
Pets and the gondola
Trained service animals may ride in select gondola cabins with a free service animal ticket, and Snowbowl asks for 72 hours’ notice for accommodations. Snowbowl’s published policies don’t cover pet dogs, so check with guest services before you bring one, and on warm days leave pets at camp rather than in a parked rig.
Day trips only, no camping
Overnight parking is only for hikers and campers heading into the wilderness, and they must use lots below the ski area’s entry gate; no camping is allowed in the lots. In winter, on days when chains or 4WD are required, Snowbowl runs a free shuttle (lift ticket required) from Fort Valley Lodge at the bottom of Snowbowl Road.
What visitors say about Arizona Snowbowl
The visitor report card
We don’t copy other sites’ reviews, but the published scores are worth reading together. Scores checked October 4, 2026.
Arizona, Elevated.
Arizona Snowbowl, describing the mountain · snowbowl.ski
What visitors often mention
Recurring themes in Yelp’s review highlights
Friendly staffGood-value ticketsScenic lift views
Yelp’s review highlights point to friendly staff from the gondola to the dining room (31 reviews), lift tickets that cost less than at bigger resorts (16) and the views from the scenic lift (9). Checked October 4, 2026.
How high you’ll go
Elevations from Snowbowl’s mountain stats; the Flagstaff figure is approximate. The air is thin up top, so drink plenty of water and wear sunscreen.
Good to know
Winter lift tickets$9–$79 day ticket, online
Kids 12 & underFree with Power Kids Pass
Scenic gondola$20–$45 fall dates, online
Scenic ticket includesUnlimited ridesSummit walkSnowbowl Cash (13+)
Prices from Snowbowl’s online ticket calendars, checked October 4, 2026; they rise as dates sell, and a few spring dates were listed at $1. Adult scenic tickets (13+) bought online by 11:59 pm the day before include $10 in Snowbowl Cash.
Know before you go
Plan your visit
Arizona Snowbowl
- Address9300 N. Snowbowl Rd., Flagstaff, AZ 86001
- HoursSummer 10–4 · Winter 9–4
Gondola rides through Oct 18. Skiing opens Nov 20; winter hours are typical. - Phone(928) 447-9928
- TicketsBuy online or at the ticket office
- Getting thereFrom downtown Flagstaff, take US-180 about 7 miles northwest, turn right on Snowbowl Road and follow it about 7 miles to the base areas.
- ParkingHart Prairie lots 1–4 and Agassiz lots 5–8. The Agassiz lots sit beside the gondola. No parking along Snowbowl Road.
Hours change with the season and the weather. Check Snowbowl’s hours page and snow report before you head up, especially in winter, when chains or 4WD may be required.
Where to stay nearby
RV parks near Arizona Snowbowl
These are the Flagstaff parks we have visited and written up. Snowbowl Road leaves US-180 just northwest of town, so any of them works as a base for the day.
Village Camp Flagstaff
Resort-style park in Bellemont with 50-amp sites for rigs up to 85 ft, a pool and a clubhouse. Handy if you are traveling I-40.
Woody Mountain Campground
Seasonal, shady sites under the pines on West Route 66, on Flagstaff’s quiet west side.
Flagstaff KOA Holiday
Open year-round at the foot of Mount Elden, with 50-amp pull-thrus, cabins and trails from camp.
Helpful answers
Frequently asked questions
The questions RVers ask most before pulling in.
Summer 10 am–4 pm · Winter 9 am–4 pm
Ready to ride to 11,500 feet?
Buy tickets online and in advance, park at the Agassiz lots, and give yourself a cool morning on the mountain.
Thank you to the people behind these photos and this video. Please support them by giving their work a look. Photos: Spencer James Lucas on Unsplash (winter chairlifts, Why go), Deborah Lee Soltesz for the Coconino National Forest (fall lift rides; public domain), the USDA Forest Service Southwestern Region (winter chairlift; public domain) and Mikesanchez1109 (Humphreys Peak; CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons; the images were resized. Videos: Johnathan Buckhouse on YouTube (resort review) and Megan Keruskin on YouTube (fall gondola ride). Review-site logos are trademarks of their owners.
Disclaimer
RV-Roundup is an independent, community-based resource created to help RV travelers and to support and promote the places we feature. RV-Roundup is not owned by, operated by, or officially affiliated with Arizona Snowbowl unless otherwise stated.
The information on this page was prepared using the most current details available at the time of publication, including the resort’s published materials and publicly available sources. Hours, pricing, rules and other details are set by the resort and may change at any time without notice. Before you travel, please confirm all details directly with Arizona Snowbowl at snowbowl.ski or (928) 447-9928. RV-Roundup is not responsible for errors, omissions, or changes made after publication.
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