Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
Winter Sports in Arizona
Photo: Coconino National Forest / CC0
Near Bellemont, AZ in Arizona
What to Pack for Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
Pack with the terrain and wildlife in mind, and you'll be ready for anything here.
Don't underpack for Snowbowl Ski Area. The conditions here — Forest, Alpine — call for thoughtful gear choices.
Essential
-
Water (minimum 2L) — Even cool-weather hiking demands steady hydration, as exertion and altitude increase water loss faster than most expect.
-
Navigation (map/GPS/compass) — Even well-marked trails have confusing junctions, especially in fog or snow; a GPS unit or downloaded map keeps you on route.
-
Sun protection (sunglasses, sunscreen) — Quality sunglasses prevent snow blindness and reduce eye strain during long days on exposed trails or ridgelines.
-
First aid kit — Adhesive bandages, antiseptic, and athletic tape handle the most common trail injuries and weigh under a pound.
-
Extra food — Blood sugar drops fast during sustained effort outdoors, and having a reserve keeps your body and mind sharp.
-
Headlamp with extra batteries — Batteries drain faster in cold weather; carrying spares ensures you won't be left in the dark when you need light most.
-
Fire starter — Starting a fire boosts morale and provides light, warmth, and a way to purify water in an emergency.
-
Emergency shelter (space blanket) — If an injury forces you to stop moving, a reflective blanket prevents the rapid heat loss that leads to hypothermia.
-
Knife or multi-tool — In a survival situation, a blade lets you process tinder, build shelter, and prepare food.
-
Extra clothing layer — Wet clothing accelerates cooling; a dry backup layer can prevent hypothermia when conditions turn.
Climate Gear
-
Insulated layers — Layering lets you regulate temperature as conditions change, preventing the sweat buildup that causes chills later.
-
Hand warmers — Beyond comfort, hand warmers can help treat mild hypothermia by warming blood flowing through the extremities.
-
Thermos — A thermos also works in reverse: cold water stays cold in summer heat, encouraging steady hydration.
Terrain Gear
-
Headlamp (extra) — A second light source is a fundamental safety redundancy in backcountry travel where help may be hours away.
-
Emergency bivy — In remote terrain where rescue may take hours or overnight, a bivy sack can prevent hypothermia in survivable conditions.
-
PLB/satellite messenger — Two-way satellite messengers also let you send check-in messages, reducing worry for contacts at home.
Seasonal Gear
- Spring: Camera, Wildflower field guide
- Fall: Camera, Binoculars (foliage viewing)
Activities & Best Time to Visit Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
The Forest terrain here lends itself to a range of outdoor activities throughout the year.
Activity options at Snowbowl Ski Area range from casual () to more demanding ().
The scenery here earns a 65/100 photography rating — Exceptional dark sky (Bortle 1-2) and 3 excellent meteor showers.
Activities
-
birdwatching — Quiet observation often leads to rewarding encounters.
-
cross_country_skiing — Groomed tracks and backcountry routes offer varied experiences.
-
skiing — Proper gear and awareness of trail difficulty enhance safety.
-
snowboarding — Helmets and knowledge of slope ratings improve safety.
-
snowshoeing — It's accessible for beginners yet great exercise in cold weather.
-
walking — Perfect for all ages, a casual walk can turn any outdoor space into a relaxing nature experience.
-
wildlife_viewing — Bring binoculars and patience — nature often rewards careful, respectful observers.
Best months: Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Terrain: Forest — Expect cooler temperatures and higher humidity under tree cover. Wildlife habitat is abundant, especially in mixed hardwood or conifer stands.
Nature & Wildlife at Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
The Forest terrain here supports a rich ecosystem worth noticing as you explore.
From towering Southwestern Ponderosa Pine and Gambel Oak to delicate Arizona mariposa lily and Stansbury's Cliffrose, the vegetation here creates habitat for 8 mammal species and 30 birds.
Trees (3)
-
Southwestern Ponderosa Pine — Southwestern Ponderosa Pine is a large, long-needled conifer adapted to dry, high-elevation forests. -
Gambel Oak — Gambel oak is a small to medium deciduous tree with deeply lobed leaves that resemble classic oak shapes. -
white fir — White fir is a tall evergreen with soft, bluish-green needles that curve upward from the twig.
Wildflowers (2)
-
Arizona mariposa lily — Slender stem rising from narrow basal leaves. -
Stansbury's Cliffrose — Feathery seed plumes developing after flowering.
Other Plants (5)
-
Echinocereus bakeri
-
great mullein
-
quaking aspen
-
alligator juniper
-
western blue flag
Mammals (8)
-
Abert's Squirrel — Medium-sized with agile build. -
Mule Deer — Bucks carry branching antlers that fork rather than form a single main beam. -
Gunnison's Prairie Dog — Often stands upright near burrow mounds. -
Wapiti — Adults may weigh 500–1,000 pounds. -
Rock Squirrel — Often stands upright on rocks to scan for predators.
Birds (30)
-
Red-winged Blackbird — Glossy breeding male plumage -
House Sparrow — Urban plumage often dusted and worn -
European Starling — Sleek dark breeding plumage with yellow bill -
Eurasian Collared-Dove — Squared tail with white tips -
Dark-eyed Junco — Pink-sided form with pale gray and buff flanks
Reptiles (5)
-
Plateau Fence Lizard — Usually 5–7 inches long including tail. -
Greater Short-horned Lizard — Typically under 5 inches long. -
Western Terrestrial Garter Snake — Typically grows 18–36 inches long with a narrow head and round pupils. -
Gopher Snake — Adults commonly reach 3–6 feet in length. -
Ornate Tree Lizard — Typically 4–6 inches long.
Amphibians (2)
-
American Bullfrog -
Arizona Tree Frog
Insects (10)
-
Convergent Lady Beetle -
Gray Buckeye -
Carolina Grasshopper -
White-lined Sphinx -
Spotted Pine Sawyer
Fungi (1)
-
lobster mushroom
Other Wildlife (2)
-
Common Pill Woodlouse
-
Virile Crayfish
Nature Bingo at Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
Can you spot them all? Check off each species as you find it on your visit.
Wildlife Challenge
Botany Challenge
Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino Climate & Sun
The numbers behind the best (and worst) times to visit Snowbowl Ski Area.
Reference climate data for planning your visit to Snowbowl Ski Area — temperatures, precipitation, and daylight hours.
Climate type: Alpine
Annual avg temp: 41.8°F
Annual precipitation: 35.1 in
With an average annual temperature of 41.8°F and 35.1 inches of precipitation, Snowbowl Ski Area has cool, moderate rainfall conditions. Summer highs average around 60°F, while winter lows drop to 27°F.
Best months to visit: Jun, Jul, Sep. Consider avoiding: Jan, Feb, Dec.
| Month | Avg Temp | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27°F | 4.4 in |
| Feb | 28°F | 4.4 in |
| Mar | 32°F | 3.9 in |
| Apr | 37°F | 1.9 in |
| May | 45°F | 1.2 in |
| Jun | 56°F | 0.4 in |
| Jul | 60°F | 2.9 in |
| Aug | 58°F | 4.3 in |
| Sep | 53°F | 2.6 in |
| Oct | 43°F | 2.4 in |
| Nov | 35°F | 2.6 in |
| Dec | 28°F | 4.1 in |
Daylight & Sun Times
Daylight ranges from 9.8 hours in winter to 14.5 hours in summer — a difference of 4.7 hours.
Summer: 5:11 AM – 7:42 PM
Winter: 7:28 AM – 5:15 PM
Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino Trip Planning & Access
Time to plan the details — access, cost, and travel information for your visit.
Here are the logistics for getting to Snowbowl Ski Area and what to expect on arrival.
Visitor Friendliness
Accessibility: dog-friendly (likely_allowed), family-friendly (excellent), elderly-friendly (highly_suitable).
- Dogs: likely_allowed — No restrictions found
- Families: excellent
- Elderly: highly_suitable
- Strollers: excellent (100/100)
- Beginners: Some experience helpful (Difficult - gain experience first (-20))
- Accessibility: Generally accessible to most visitors (95/100)
Places Near Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
Looking for more? Here's what else is close by.
Close-by alternatives and additions to your Snowbowl Ski Area visit include these 16 destinations.
Nearby Trails
- Aspen Nature Loop, Coconino 0.08 mi
- Humphreys Trail, Coconino 0.17 mi
- Humphreys Spur Trail, Coconino 0.33 mi
- Kachina Trail, Coconino 0.86 mi
- Bismarck Lake Trail, Coconino 2.63 mi
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby Attractions
Stargazing & Night Sky at Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
Clear nights in this area reveal more stars than most people expect.
The darkness at Snowbowl Ski Area is rated Bortle class 2, offering Typical truly dark site conditions year-round.
Constellations
Key constellations visible from this latitude include Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Cepheus.
-
Ursa Minor — Visible throughout the year in much of the United States, Ursa Minor rotates steadily around the North Celestial Pole. -
Cassiopeia — Visible year-round in northern states, Cassiopeia is especially prominent in autumn evenings. -
Cepheus — Though its stars are modest in brightness, Cepheus is visible year-round from most of the U.S.
Meteor Showers
The Geminids peaks around December 13-14 and is the best meteor shower visible from here.
-
Geminids — peaks December 13-14 (excellent)Find a dark location away from city lights and give your eyes 20–30 minutes to adjust for peak rates.
-
Quadrantids — peaks January 3-4 (excellent)Look toward the northern sky after midnight for the highest activity.
-
Perseids — peaks August 11-13 (excellent)Expect fast, bright meteors and occasional fireballs under dark skies.
-
Eta Aquariids — peaks May 5-6 (good)Plan for early morning viewing; activity increases in the hours just before sunrise.
-
Delta Aquariids — peaks July 28-29 (fair)Southern states often see stronger activity due to radiant placement.
Planets
Planets visible to the naked eye from this location:
-
Venus — The brightest planet, often called the Morning or Evening Star -
Jupiter — The largest planet, bright and steady in the night sky -
Saturn — Famous for its rings, visible as a golden steady light -
Mars — The Red Planet, recognizable by its reddish-orange hue
Equipment Guide
- Naked eye: Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Mars, Mercury (with care)
- Binoculars: Jupiter moons, Uranus, Saturn rings (barely)
- Small telescope: Saturn rings, Jupiter bands, Mars surface features, Neptune
Viewing Tips
- Check planets rise/set times for your specific date
- Planets appear along the ecliptic (zodiac path)
- Planets don't twinkle like stars - steady light
- Venus and Jupiter are unmistakable - brightest objects after Moon
- Use a stargazing app to confirm planet positions
- Best viewing: when planet is highest in sky (transit)
Best Viewing Months
- Evening: Oct, Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb
- Morning: Jul, Aug, Sep
Seasonal Highlights at Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
What you'll encounter here shifts with the calendar — here's a seasonal overview.
The experience at Snowbowl Ski Area shifts with the seasons. Here's a month-by-month overview.
Spring Wildflowers
Peak bloom: March - April
Check local park websites for bloom reports
Fall Foliage
Peak color: September 15 – October 10
Best trees for color: Aspen, Cottonwood, Scrub Oak
At 9330ft elevation, expect peak 1-2 weeks earlier
Bird Migration
Spring peak: April - May
Fall peak: September - October
Best spots: Wetlands, coastlines, mountain ridges
Indigenous Land at Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino
The history of this land reaches back long before it became a recreation destination.
Before trails were marked here, Hopitutskwa, Pueblos, Havasu Baaja (Havasupai) knew this land intimately.
Territories
Languages
The languages traditionally spoken in this area include Dilzhę́’é (North), Havasupai, Hopilavayi.
Data from Native Land Digital
Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino Geology & Natural History
Beyond the trails and wildlife, Snowbowl Ski Area sits within a landscape shaped by millions of years of geological processes. Here's what researchers and surveys have documented about this area.
Bedrock Geology
- Rock Type
- Permian sedimentary rocks
- Formation
- Kaibab Formation; Toroweap Formation; Coconino Sandstone
- Lithology
- Major:{sandstone,limestone}, Minor:{chert}
- Age
- Permian
Fossils
- Fossil Occurrences
- 187
- Unique Species
- 108
- Oldest
- 382.3 million years ago
Mineral Deposits
- Deposit Sites
- 96
- Richness
- Exceptional
- Minerals Found
- Volcanic Materials, Pumice, Sand and Gravel, Construction, Limestone, General, Perlite, Uranium
Endangered Species
- Species at Risk
- 1478
- ESA Endangered
- 29
- ESA Threatened
- 16
- Conservation Score
- 100/100
Temperature Records
- Record High
- 102°F (2021-07-11)
- Record Low
- -37°F (1963-01-12)
Wildfire History
This area has a relatively low wildfire risk, but always follow posted fire regulations.
- Recorded Fires
- 171
- Largest Fire
- Pipeline (26,532.4 acres)
- Most Recent
- 9999
- Fire Risk
- Extreme
Caves & Karst Features
- Feature Types
- Carbonate rocks at or near the land surface in a humid climate
- Karst Score
- 40
Watershed
- Watershed
- Lower Rio de Flag
- Water Quality (Good)
- 0%
- Impaired
- 0%
Reported Phenomena
- UFO Sightings
- 38 (NUFORC)
- Bigfoot Reports
- 5 (BFRO)
- Haunted Places
- 8 (Shadowlands)
- Eeriness Score
- 100/100
Snowbowl Ski Area, Coconino Safety & Conditions
Plans set? Check the latest conditions before you head out.
Before any visit to Snowbowl Ski Area, a quick check of these official sources can prevent surprises.
Coordinates: 35.33039, -111.71066