If you have been waiting all winter to play in the snow, procrastinate no longer. Arizona Snowbowl near Flagstaff has opened all four of its lifts and is claiming that the "best conditions of the season" have arrived. Sunrise Park Resort in the White Mountains has six of its eight lifts open and the slopes are covered with 100 percent packed powder. With warmer weather rapidly approaching, skiers and boarders should take advantage of the snow before it melts!

Arizona Snowbowl
or www.arizonasnowbowl.com

Mountain stats: Top elevation is 11,500 feet with a 2,300-foot total vertical drop. The longest run is 2 miles. Snowbowl offers 32 runs (37 percent beginner, 42 percent intermediate, 21 percent advanced) and a terrain park.

Directions: Take Interstate 17 north to Flagstaff. From the I-17 and Interstate 40 junction, go north 1.8 miles on South Milton Road (I-17 becomes Milton Road and Milton Road becomes Route 66). Proceed under the train bridge and follow the curve to the east. At the first stoplight, turn left (north) onto Humphreys Street (Arizona Highway 180). Proceed on Humphreys for 0.6 miles to Ft. Valley Road. Turn left on Fort Valley Road (Highway 180) and proceed 6.8 miles to the Arizona Snowbowl exit.

Will I be skiing on rocks?: At 9,500 feet elevation there is 20 inches and at 10,800 feet there is 43 inches. Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily.

Lift tickets: Prices range from $22 to $42, with discounts for juniors (ages 8-12) and seniors (ages 65-69). Those celebrating a birthday, ages 7 and younger or 70 and older ski for free.

Tip: Powder pockets can be found days after a storm for those who aren't afraid to take off their skis or boards and hike. Take the Agassiz lift to the very top and head behind the chairlift to find a path to the top of the bowl.

Sunrise Park Resort
or www.sunriseskipark.com

Mountain stats: Top elevation is 8,000 feet and there’s an 1,800-foot total vertical drop. Snowbowl offers 65 runs and a park dedicated exclusively to snowboarders, which features a snow half pipe, implanted wood and metal rails and a special event area with jumps ranging from beginner to advanced levels.

Directions: Take Arizona Highway 87 north to Payson. From Payson, take Arizona Highway 260 east to Show Low. At Show Low, continue on Highway 260 through Pinetop-Lakeside and McNary to Arizona Highway 273. Turn right on Highway 273; Sunrise Park Resort is four miles south and the Sunrise Ski Area is three miles past the lodge.
Alternate directions: Take U.S. Highway 60 east to Globe. Continue on Highway 60 northeast to Show Low, then same as above.

Will I be skiing on rocks?: The base at the top of the slopes is 58" and at the bottom of the slopes is 55". Hours: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, night skiing from 4:30 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28.

Lift tickets: Prices range from $17 to $39, with discounts for juniors (ages 12 and younger) and seniors (ages 65-69). Those ages 70 and older ski for free.

Tip: Park in the Cyclone/Apache Peak parking lot, it's always less crowded than the main lot at the base of Sunrise Peak.