Opening of Arizona Snowbowl pushed back due to warm weather

PHOENIX — Avid snowboarders and skiiers in Arizona are going to have to wait a little longer to hit the snow.

Arizona Snowbowl, a ski resort in northern Arizona near Flagstaff, announced Friday that unseasonably warm weather has forced the opening date to be pushed back until Nov. 17.

The popular tourist attraction was scheduled to be open by Nov. 10, but officials said weather has not been cold enough to create snow. Crews began making snow in September.

In a statement, J.R. Murray, the general manager of Arizona Snowbowl, said the nightly temperatures have remained above freezing, making it hard for crews to make snow on the facility’s opening trails.

“We’ll continue to make snow as weather permits and prepare the mountain for opening day, which is now scheduled for Nov. 17,” he said.

Murray said if the facility is not able to open by then, it will open “as soon as possible.” The season should last until April or May, Murray said.

Last season marked Arizona Snowbowl’s longest on record. It opened on Nov. 19 — the earliest opening since 1979 — and was able to extend the season until May 7.

Snowbowl recorded a total of 328 inches of snow, the most snowfall in the past 12 years.

In preparation, the facility has replaced one of its ski lifts to make it twice as large.

But guests will have more to do than just snow: The facility has added a restaurant, restrooms and a patio near its Sunset chairlift and opened a scenic chairlift ride for non-skiiers and snowboarders.

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