How to Go Skiing in Sunrise Park, Arizona

Owned by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Sunrise Park Ski Resort is one of the largest ski areas in the Southwestern United States, with more than 65 downhill runs, and a separate area for tubing, cross-country skiing and snowboarding. Located in the central east part of Arizona, this ski resort features a 1,800-foot vertical drop as well as 10 lifts and approximately 800 acres of skiable terrain.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Credit card to book your ski trip

Plan Your Ski Trip at Sunrise Park

1. Book your accommodations in the White Mountains online at the Arizona Office of Tourism Web site (see Resources below). You can also reach them by phone at [phone].
2. Book accommodations at the Sunrise Park Lodge—a 100-room hotel on the grounds at Sunrise Park. This traditional ski lodge offers restaurants, an indoor pool and a game room. Weekday rates are quite reasonable, though if you're willing to spend a little more, you can reserve a room with a private Jacuzzi.
3. Stay at the Sunrise Park RV Park and Campground if you're traveling in a camper or motor home. It's a much cheaper way to secure easy access to the slopes.
4. Find reasonably priced chain hotels and motels in nearby Pinetop. This is also a good place to look for an affordable condo or cabin rental when you plan your trip to Sunrise Park, Arizona.
5. Fly into Phoenix, Albuquerque, Tucson or El Paso, all of which are just a few hours away from Sunrise Park, which is located in a relatively remote part of East Arizona.
6. Consider a car rental essential to your trip to Sunrise Park, due to its isolated location and the lack of public transportation in the area.
7. Visit the official Web site for Sunrise Park (see Resources below) to review current skiing conditions before you travel.

Ski Sunrise Park!

8. Consult the local ski patrol about daily conditions at the resort, or to schedule a class at the resort's ski school.
9. Visit the General Store to rent skis and other equipment.
10. Enjoy the high-speed detachable quad chairlifts, which can get as many as 16,000 skiers per hour to the top of the hill.
11. Shred the half-tube and all of the other obstacles on your snowboard in the terrain park.
12. Drop the kids off at the Ski-Wee area, reserved just for kids.
13. Consider a season pass if you live in Arizona, or are planning an extended visit to the area.

Tips & Warnings

• Booking your accommodations online is a good way to check out lodging and ski lift packages.