Why Winter Is This Arizona Town’s Secret Season

It’s no surprise that winter is my favorite season. Winter in Arizona is a truly magical time of year, and Flagstaff in the winter is just the top of the charts. With an average of over 100 inches of snowfall annually, Flagstaff is one of the snowiest places in Arizona. If you’re looking to embrace those dark nights and enjoy a winter getaway in Arizona, Flagstaff is the place to be. 

Surrounded by mountains, ponderosa pine forests, and desert, Flagstaff is beautiful year-round, but there’s something extra special about Flagstaff in the winter. It’s the perfect city to use as a home base while you explore some of Arizona’s top attractions, including the San Francisco Peaks, Walnut Canyon National Monument, and the Wupatki National Monument.

Skiers will have a blast over at Arizona Snowbowl, a mountainside ski resort in Flagstaff located on the western slope of Mount Humphreys (the tallest point in Arizona). There are 777 skiable acres here, including 61 runs. 

There are plenty of places to stay in Flagstaff; it all just depends on your preference! The hotels in downtown Flagstaff will put you right in the middle of all of the action and within walking distance of some of Flagstaff’s best restaurants and shopping.

Downtown Flagstaff offers an abundance of restaurants, museums, attractions, and more. You can’t go wrong with a plate of BBQ at Bigfoot BBQ. For drinks, swing by the Monte V Cocktail Lounge located in the Hotel Monte Vista.

If you prefer to rest your head on the outskirts of the city, check out this cabin rental near the Coconino National Forest. Perfect for wildlife viewing during the day and stargazing at night!

Nature lovers will thoroughly enjoy the endless treasure trove of hiking trails in Flagstaff. Bundle up and get your traction cleats (and maybe snowshoes) — you’ll need them to explore this offensively beautiful landscape. 

Need a little hiking inspiration? Check out the Tom Moody Trail, a scenic waterfall trail. Or, if you’re really looking to challenge yourself, you can always tackle the epic Humphreys Peak Trail! This is one hiking trail where you’ll want to make sure you’ve got the best hiking gear before you hit the trailhead.

We just love Flagstaff in the winter, and we think you will too! And if you're looking for more ways to make your Arizona getaway (or staycation!) that much better, check out our itinerary planner for recommendations of other things to do, see, and eat in the area.