Flagstaff Snow Play
Flagstaff snow play is a popular winter
activity.
Flagstaff snow play is especially popular with families
from the desert communities. Many have never seen... or experienced snow.
It's a quick two hour drive, and a great family outing.
Have you ever said... "My kids were born around Phoenix. They've never
seen snow"?
Playing in the snow is so popular on weekends after a
snowfall... that downtown Flagstaff can experience traffic gridlock.
Snow play facilities aren't really in the city
of Flagstaff. They are in the Coconino National Forest around Flagstaff.
Several of the better known sites such as Crowley Pit, Flagstaff Nordic Center,
and Wing Mountain are north of town, off Highway 180, the
road to the Grand Canyon.
That means hundreds of extra vehicles making their way
through town from Phoenix and other desert communities. Most come into town from
I-17 along Milton and under the railroad underpass... and then they must turn left
onto Highway 180 just two blocks ahead. Traffic can really back up here.
Flagstaff snow play visitors can avoid delays and prevent
those traffic snarls! The Coconino County Sheriff's Office and the
Flagstaff Police Department have facilitated a route around downtown.
Visitors should transition from I-17 to
I-40 East and exit at Butler (the first exit). Turn left and follow Butler /
Enterprise across the railroad tracks. Turn left onto Route 66 and go to the
Dog House (Switzer Canyon). Turn right and follow this road to Highway 180.
Turn right on 180.
As you can see on the map, you're where you wanted to
go... and you're there without the delays and frustration of traffic jams.
News reports and news releases by public safety agencies
make the traffic congestion problems appear worse than they appear to me (when
I sit in a restaurant along Milton and observe). If you follow the route shown
on the map, you will avoid the downtown congestion... severe or otherwise.
Here is a news release on the subject. The information it
contains will probably be valid for the next several winters ...
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~~~~~ ~~~~~
January 14, 2010
Coconino County
Sheriff's Department
Winter Snow Play Advisory for the Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend
Flagstaff
,
AZ
– In the recent past, three day holiday weekends have been extremely busy for
the snow play areas located along the Highway 180 corridor with several of the
more popular areas reaching capacity by 11:00 a.m. Representatives of the
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the Flagstaff Police Department, and the
Arizona Department of Public Safety believe that Northern Arizona will receive
an extremely high volume of winter recreation enthusiasts during the 3 day
M.L.K. Weekend.
Of particular concern is congestion on Highway 180
north of
Flagstaff
, since several popular winter recreation sites including Arizona Snowbowl,
Flagstaff
Nordic
Center
and Wing Mountain Snow Play Area are located along the highway. Additional snow
play locations that are not on the Highway 180 Corridor are also available and
include: Mormon Lake Lodge and Happy Jack Lodge along Forest Highway 3
southeast of
Flagstaff
, and
Fort
Tuthill
County
Park
, off of I-17 just south of
Flagstaff
.
If you are using the Highway 180 Corridor please
expect the possibility of heavy traffic congestion and significant delays.
In the event of heavy congestion public safety agencies may offer alternative
routes as you enter
Flagstaff
. Please consider these alternative routes as viable options. On
particularly busy days the traffic congestion seems to be the heaviest from
4:00 pm to after 6:00 pm. Winter enthusiasts may consider leaving earlier
to avoid some of the heavier traffic. Remember you are here to have fun
so please exercise patience and courtesy.
Visitors who are traveling to and from the South Rim
of the
Grand Canyon
National Park
may want to consider alternative routes that would allow them to avoid heavy
traffic congestion and significant delays on Highway 180 during peak hours of
use. Travelers to the South Rim may head west from
Flagstaff
on Interstate Highway 40 to State Route 64 just east of Williams AZ and North
on 64 to the
Grand Canyon
. An additional route is north from
Flagstaff
on US Highway 89 to the junction of Hwy 89 and State Route 64 just before
Cameron, and west on SR 64 to
East Rim Drive
in the National Park.
When travelling in
Northern Arizona
motorist should be prepared for the possibility of Winter Driving Conditions.
- Know before you go - Current
information about where to go to play in the snow is available daily from
the
Flagstaff
Visitor
Center
at 877-878-9377. A map of Winter Recreation sites in the
Flagstaff-Coconino
National Forest
area is at http://flagstaffarizona.org/documents/WinterRec.map.pdf
- Be prepared for cold weather and
winter driving conditions with a full tank of gas, chains, flashlight and
other emergency items. Pack extra dry clothes, snacks, water and a trash
bag.
- Be safe and aware. Don’t park
along the highway. Look before you slide. Watch out for hazards and other
visitors. Bike helmets are recommended for safe sledders.
- Be patient. Highways through the
Flagstaff
area may be congested.
- Leave no trace other than footprints
and snowmen. Take your trash with you.
- Respect private property and other
locations where snow play and sledding is not appropriate.
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Several of the Flagstaff area's snow play locations are developed
and have equipment rentals and food available. I know the Flagstaff Nordic
Center also has lodging available.
Flagstaff snow play visitors also have other choices
of where to play.
Ft. Tuthill County Park is a good location. Take the
airport exit from I-17, cross over the freeway and its right in front of you!
Some visitors favor the Mormon Lake
area. The Mormon Lake Village has some rentals available, as well as the lodge
and restaurant.
If you're planning a visit and need a place to stay... Hotwire advertises
4-star hotels. 2-star prices. Save up to 55% with low Hotwire Hot-Rates! You can use this link to find a motel.
Flagstaff snow play areas are popular for a reason. You can make a weekend outing... or
a day trip with ease. Load up the kids and come on up.
Links to related pages are shown below:
The Snowmaking Update Page
The Flagstaff
Cross Country Skiing Page
Flagstaff Skiing Page
Return to the
Maps Page
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Copyright © 2004-2010 Fred Doyle. All
Rights Reserved
Photo reprint permission granted with
conditions.
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