Flagstaff, Arizona stands out as Arizona’s winter wonderland due to its abundance of ponderosa pine forest and mountain peaks – offering 100+ inches of snow annually, it draws skiers and winter sports enthusiasts like nowhere else in the region.
Families and their kids sometimes just want a place where they can sled, build a snowman, throw snowballs and more safely away from downhill skiers. Here are some wonderful spots where this can happen!
Fort Tuthill Park
Fort Tuthill Park provides visitors with plenty of activities, from hiking and biking trails to exploring its ponderosa pine forests and enjoying Northern Arizona’s cool summer temperatures and snowy winters. In addition, Fort Tuthill Park features tennis, basketball and volleyball courts as well as an amphitheater, picnic shelters and more!
There is even a disc golf course at the park! Families can have great fun competing against one another while having great family time playing together and competing against each other for prizes! Additionally, games can be played where each member takes turns switching courses while cheering their friend along!
If you are seeking something more challenging, Fort Tuthill County Park’s Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course might just be for you! This course caters to adults and kids aged 7 and above; participants will swing from treetops, zip down zip lines, run across suspension bridges, and scramble over nets while hanging 15 to 60 feet above ground!
Bearizona Wildlife Park is another highly popular tourist destination, featuring unique exhibits such as bears, bison, mountain sheep and goats freely roaming freely around you. There are also raptor shows and special events offered.
The Museum of Northern Arizona is an ideal spot for both children and adults, boasting an extensive collection of artifacts and exhibits in anthropology, geology and fine arts. Lava River Cave provides another fascinating site to explore, however flashlights should be brought along and sturdy shoes worn when exploring. Lowell Observatory caters to budding astronomers with daytime tours as well as evening star gazing!
Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Area
Flagstaff Snow Park at Fort Tuthill County Park is open between mid-December and mid-March (weather and snow conditions permitting). This organized snow play area features tubing runs, kiddie hills for children and general snow play areas. Tubing runs utilize manmade snow manufactured at a nearby ski resort while natural snowfall fills other play areas of the park. To enter, everyone requires either an all day pass or half day pass that can be purchased online.
Park visitors can easily spot wildlife such as pronghorn antelope, mule deer, elk and coyotes here, along with badgers, foxes and mountain/western bluebirds – or you can trek along one of two short loop trails here for even more excitement.
Dogs are welcome in the park, but must always remain on leash. Please bring water bowls for water, treats, and any other necessities for your pet as well as gloves, hats and warm clothing for yourself and your pup! When planning to visit, check weather reports as well as park websites before heading out – or call 1-844-256-SNOW (1-844-256-7626) for updates about current conditions and snow removal priorities.
Crowley Pit
Flagstaff’s Crowley Pit offers a fun place for snowplay, with free access and an inviting large slope perfect for sledding. Beginners may find its hills less daunting.
If you want a more thrilling activity for you and your children, renting some skis may be just the ticket! Arizona Snowbowl provides plenty of powder snow that makes this destination suitable for beginning skiers as well.
Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Area offers another excellent option for toddler-friendly sledding, located a little further off from the main road for more privacy than some of the other options. Plus, its open field makes a fantastic venue for snowball fights!
Flagstaff Snow Park provides tubing hills tailored to different skill levels, in addition to various activities and attractions for both children and adults, such as fire pits, sledding hills, food vendors and food stands. This facility typically opens its doors around mid-December.
Flagstaff City Parks offer great sledding hills; visit Foxglenn and Thorpe Park for some sledding fun! Additionally, Flagstaff’s website features an interactive map which details where to go sledding in its area.
Wing Mountain
Wing Mountain Snow Play Area in Flagstaff closed this winter due to concessionaire requests that its special-use permit be revoked, creating additional pressure for Crowley Pit public sledding hill nearby and potentially leading to motorists parking illegally along U.S. 180 highway – something Forest Service official considers dangerous and illegal.
Sledders who wish to visit this popular spot should consider Crowley Pit or one of the snow play areas within Coconino National Forest such as Peak View Overlook, Walker Lake Watchable Wildlife sites or Fort Tuthill County Park and campground as destinations of their snow activities, such as sledding, tubing or making snowmen.
Flagstaff offers many family-friendly activities and attractions within town that are sure to please, such as the Aquaplex for swimming, cannonballing and canoeing in warm water. Also popular among children are Lava Tubes where children can crawl through underground caves pretending they’re Indiana Jones; skiing/snowboarding at Arizona Snowbowl; as well as several city parks like Foxglenn Park and Thorpe Park where children can build snowmen or go sledding!
