Arizona Snowbowl is first US ski resort to begin making snow this year

PHOENIX — Arizona Snowbowl began making snow for the upcoming season this week, making it the first resort in the United States to start creating the white stuff this year.

In a blog post, the resort near Flagstaff said two Colorado ski areas typically are the first to start making snow, but Snowbowl beat them to the punch.

Snowbowl started making snow on its Logjam and Wild Turkey runs in preparation for a planned Nov. 10 opening of the ski season.

The resort said it expected to be the first ski area in Arizona to open its season this year, thanks primarily to its snowmaking system that covers 65 percent of the mountain.

“With our advanced snowmaking system, we’re able to get ski season started early,” Murray said.

Last season was the longest ever on Snowbowl’s slopes. It remained open into May.

The resort said it would unveil both a new lift and restaurant this season.

The new lift replaced the 36-year-old Hart Prairie lift with one that is two times larger.

The old lift could only carry two people per chair. The new one will carry four people per chair and will add restraining bars and foot rests.

The restaurant will open near the Grand Canyon Express lift. It will seat 300 people and serve Mexican and barbecue foods.

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