Snowbowl is way too crowded for fun. The lift lines are long, the slopes are packed and if the wind is strong they close down the upper mountain. There is no slopeside lodging and unless you are one of the first to arrive, the trudge across the uphill parking lot is a nightmare.
It is also hard to get to Flagstaff from Phoenix in snowy weather. I-17 turns into one big ice sheet with trucks and cars skidding everywhere. If you do plan to go skiing here, plan ahead and stay a night or two in Flagstaff to avoid the worst of the weekend traffic.
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