Tourism

Arizona Snowbowl has started its summer operations, The scenic chairlift is open 10:00 am – 4:00 pm every Friday, Saturday, Sunday plus two holiday Mondays (May 26 and September 1) during the summer season (Memorial Day Weekend through mid-October).

Take in the dramatic scenery of northern Arizona from a bird’s eye view atop an extinct volcano at 11,500 ft (3,500 m). Enjoy hiking, interpretive talks, play a round of disc golf or treat yourself to lunch on the patio with a mountain view. The Agassiz Lodge comes alive in the summer offering music on the weekends and a family friendly menu with indoor and outdoor table service.

Snow Remains on the Mountain

Even in a year with record drought conditions, Arizona Snowbowl still has snow in many areas on the mountain. In fact, when unloading the scenic chairlift ride at 11,500 ft, guests will be able to walk up to an area that still has several feet of snow. So bring the family and experience snow in May.

Private Events at Agassiz Lodge

Due to higher demand for events at Arizona Snowbowl, guests can now rent Agassiz Lodge for private functions. From birthday parties to corporate meetings, Agassiz Lodge offers indoor and outdoor seating up to 100 guests. Combine your next event with a private sunset chairlift ride or take advantage of the mountain environment to wow your guests.

Winter Recap

The success of the 2013-14 winter season is attributed to the new snowmaking system. Arizona Snowbowl averages 260 inches of natural snow annually, but received barely over 100 inches this past winter. Without snowmaking, Arizona Snowbowl would not have been able to offer such quality skiing and riding and could have faced the possibility of not opening. The 2013-14 winter season realized 122 consecutive days of being open and over 140,000 visitors to the mountain.

 

U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) is issuing the following statement commending the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA’s) decision to allow 1,721 additional Grand Canyon flights per year utilizing quiet technology:

“I was thrilled to learn that the FAA has allowed additional quiet flights over the Grand Canyon. This commonsense decision will create good-paying jobs and boost economic activity in an extremely rural area.

“By recognizing quiet flight technology improvements, the FAA has given us an example of a federal agency using evidence-based decision-making. Now, more of Arizona’s visitors get to experience the beauty of this natural treasure through unique aerial tours. As a result of the FAA’s decision, we are accomplishing two important goals: keeping noise in the Canyon to a minimum while growing this critical sector of our economy.”

BACKGROUND:
The air tour and tourism industries at the Grand Canyon are critical to Arizona’s economy. In 2011, tourism at the Grand Canyon helped sustain more than 300,000 jobs. The air tour industry around this historic landmark supported 1,250 good-paying jobs in Arizona and Nevada during that same timeframe.

Rep. Gosar played a critical role in the FAA’s decision to allow additional quiet flights at Grand Canyon National Park because his bill was enacted into law.

In the 112th Congress, Rep. Gosar, introduced bipartisan standalone legislation, the Grand Canyon Tourism Jobs Protection Act of 2012 (H.R.4198), to protect tourism jobs and preserve natural quiet at the Grand Canyon National Park.

The provisions of H.R.4198 were ultimately codified into public law through Section 35001 of H.R.4348, also known as MAP-21.

Prior to this legislative victory, Rep. Gosar raised awareness of this issue through a series of letters, including:

In February 2011, Rep. Gosar and five of his colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to House Transportation Conferees asking them to codify the definition of natural quiet for the Grand Canyon.
In June 2011, Rep. Gosar and seven of his colleagues sent a bipartisan letter commenting on the National Park Service’s draft Environmental Impact Statement for flight rules over the Grand Canyon.

In March 2012, Rep. Gosar and five of his colleagues sent a bipartisan letter to then Secretary of Interior Salazar containing comments and a series of specific questions about the future of aerial tours and natural quiet technology at the park.

Grand Canyon National Park will be joining national park units across the country in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day with fee-free entry into the park on Monday, January 20, 2014.

Park visitors are reminded that fee-free designation applies to entrance fees only and does not affect fees for camping, reservations, tours, or use of concessions. Park entrance stations will have the Interagency Senior and Annual Passes available for those who wish to purchase them.  Visitors who plan to spend time in the park beyond January 20^th will need to pay the regular entrance fee for the remainder of their stay.

 

This year, additional fee-free days will occur in honor of Presidents Day (February 15-17),  kick off to National Park Week (April 19-20),  National Park Service Birthday (August 25), National Public Lands Day (September 27) and Veterans Day (November 11).

 

Grand Canyon’s South Rim sits at approximately 7,000 feet. As a result, visitors should be prepared for winter weather and driving conditions, and should be aware that road closures and temporary suspension of shuttle service may occur with little or no notice if winter weather passes through the area.

 

 

For more information on what there is to see and do in Grand Canyon National Park. Please visit the park’s websitewww.nps.gov/grca.  For more on national park fee-free days, go to http://www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparks.htm

 

With the New Year, many of us are resolving to learn something new, and Arizona Snowbowl is making it easy for first-time skiers and snowboarders.

January marks the sixth annual Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month in the United States, and with natural and machine-made snow on the San Francisco Peaks, people of all ages are taking advantage of the winter sports opportunities available to them.

Through Arizona Snowbowl, the Quad Cities area and the rest of Arizona have had access to skiing and snowboarding for more than 75 years. But this month, outdoor enthusiasts can take advantage of January special pricing for Learn to Ski programs by visiting www.arizonasnowbowl.com.

The program is designed to teach the first-time skier or snowboarder the fundamentals of snow sports and mountain safety. The Learn to Ski package includes a Hart Prairie Beginner Area lift ticket, full day rental equipment, and a two-hour lesson.

Lessons start promptly at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the base of the Hart Prairie Lift. Participants are encouraged to arrive in their equipment and ready to go at least 15 minutes prior to their lesson time. Guests may register for the Learn to Ski Program in the Rental Shop.

To make sure everyone has a safe, fun, comfortable, and successful experience on the slopes, here are some tips:

 

What to Bring and Wear

 

Keep it warm and dry:

• Keep boots, gloves, helmets, and any other gear you wear in the car or bus where it’s heated, not in the trunk.
• Take an extra pair of dry socks to put on when you arrive at Snowbowl. It is a good idea to have dry socks just before you hit the slopes to be sure you have warm feet. Do not wear two pairs of socks; it will make your feet colder.
• Wool is GOOD; cotton is BAD, this includes all clothing items.
• Wear shoes or boots that are appropriate for walking in snow and puddles.

Dress in layers:

• It is worth investing in a pair of waterproof ski pants, as jeans get wet and will make you cold.
• It is best to dress in layers as temperatures can vary throughout the day.

Inner Layers:

• Fleece or wool pants (long underwear) and a sweater (two layers) are a great choice.
• Wool socks will keep you warm through the day, although taking extra clothing and socks to change into after skiing/snowboarding is recommended.

Outer Layers:

• It is very important to have pants and a top outer layer that are at least water resistant. A waterproof or water resistant jacket and pants are your best bet for day-long warmth.

Sunscreen protection and lip balm:

• Bring and apply sunscreen! Arizona Snowbowl is situated at an elevation of between 9,000 feet and 11,500 feet. The atmosphere is far thinner than most of us are used to and sunburns happen quickly, even in cloudy conditions. Arizona Snowbowl’s Sports Shops carries sunscreen and lip balm for your convenience.

Head and Eyes Protection:

• Be sure to have proper eye protection. Sunglasses or goggles (especially if it’s snowing) are extremely important in cold weather.
• We recommend wearing a helmet for safety and to keep your head warm; and a gator will protect your face and neck.

Gloves or Mittens:

• Make sure your gloves or mittens have a waterproof, breathable shell and are well insulated. Mittens, along with hand and toe warmers, are usually better for those susceptible to cold hands and feet.

For Your Energy Level:

• It is a very good idea to eat a good breakfast. Snowbowl has breakfast available, including breakfast burritos, breakfast sandwiches, yogurt, cereal, etc.
• Bring plenty of water and drink it!
• Bring snacks to stick in pockets and backpacks. This can save the day when you’re feeling tired or worn out.

 

Finally, do not attach your lift ticket to your jacket, because you may take your jacket off as the day gets warmer. It should be attached to ski pants or ski bibs, easy for lift operators to see.

Arizona Snowbowl has the largest beginner ski terrain in the Southwest covering 50 acres, including two chairlifts and two surface conveyors. The conveyers act like moving sidewalks and take the intimidation out of getting on and off a chairlift.

Remember, some people feel the effects of the high elevation, so it is important to take it easy, be prepared and enjoy Learn to Ski and Snowboard Month! QCBN

 

Written by Jason Stratton, the marketing director at Arizona Snowbowl. For more information visit www.arizonasnowbowl.com.

 

 

As the old saw goes, the more things change, the more they stay the same. That’s the message coming out of Arizona Shuttle, whose Prescott-based ShuttleU brand is being retired to make room for new company branding statewide.

According to Arizona Shuttle Marketing Director Fred Gould, “What we want to say to our loyal ShuttleU customers is that we’re the same well-run company we were last week, last month, or last year. The only thing that’s changed is the name, and the look of the vehicles.”

Arizona Shuttle acquired ShuttleU approximately two years ago, retaining much of the same operating team. Since then, the company has upgraded the vehicles on the route, put in place new scheduled maintenance and safety procedures, and increased local employment by 100 percent. The service now schedules 18 round-trips daily between the greater Prescott area and Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport, using class-leading Mercedes Sprinter vans.

In addition, Arizona Shuttle is the primary provider of ground transportation from Flagstaff, Sedona, Cottonwood and Camp Verde to the Phoenix Airport and other points in metropolitan Phoenix. It also operates a service for tourists between Flagstaff and the Grand Canyon as well as connects Flagstaff with Sedona.

As part of a fresh marketing initiative for 2013/2014, the company has embarked on a new look and feel for the brand, as well as bringing divisions with different names under the Arizona Shuttle umbrella.  The other service affected is Sedona-Phoenix Shuttle, which was acquired by Arizona Shuttle early in 2012.

According to Arizona Shuttle General Manager Jeff Colson, “Not only will the re-branding allow us to unify and consolidate our marketing efforts, it will allow us to build a consistent brand statewide, with all the positive attributes we’ve become known for. At the same time, we’re also unifying and consolidating our operations statewide, to make it easier for our customers to plan their routes, book their travel, and know what to expect on any route we serve.”

The re-branding effort is being handled by Sedona marketing firm Flesch, Pritchard & Peebler (fp²), which also developed the company’s new tag line, “Getting you from A to Z.”

“We’re very happy with the bold new look of our vans, as part of the re-brand,” added Colson.  “These vehicles are moving billboards for us, so we wanted to make sure that they stood out from the rest of the traffic out there and made a positive impression.”

Gould said, “We’ve been fortunate enough to be able to grow even during the recession, so, with the economy slowly improving, tourism on the rise again, and with the continued support of our loyal customers, we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to sustain and even accelerate our growth by attracting new customers under our new branding, and with the new marketing plan.” QCBN

By Anthony Flesch

Arizona Shuttle is based in Tucson with offices in Flagstaff, Sedona/Cottonwood, Prescott and Phoenix.    

 

 

 

Governor Jan Brewer today announced the State of Arizona will continue funding Grand Canyon National Park in light of the continued federal government shutdown.

 

“Grand Canyon’s importance to Arizona’s tourism industry and overall economy cannot be ignored,” said Governor Brewer. “While I am pleased the state is able to ensure the Canyon remains open during this critical season, it is well past time for the federal government to end this shutdown and pay its bills. We are doing our job. It’s time the President and Congress do theirs.”

 

On Friday, the governor negotiated an agreement to reopen Grand Canyon for up to at least seven days using state and local monies. Under the terms of the agreement, the State of Arizona is paying $93,000 per day to the National Park Service to fully fund park operations. Governor Brewer today authorized the use of state dollars from the Arizona Office of Tourism to continue funding the Canyon for up to an additional nine days, throughOctober 27, if the federal budget stalemate in Washington persists. If the shutdown ends prior to then, Arizona will be refunded for any unspent days.

 

Visitors to Arizona’s national parks have spent an average of $2.5 million a day during October in recent years – $1.2 million per day at Grand Canyon National Park alone.

 

The State of Arizona will seek support from members of its congressional delegation to authorize federal reimbursement of any state dollars expended to fund park operations during the shutdown.

 

Photo by Bill Ferris  http://www.flickr.com/people/billferris/

Fresh snow in the high county has outdoor enthusiasts pulling out their snow gear in anticipation of what Arizona Snowbowl expects to be its best season yet.

As a reminder that the ski season is only 50 days away on the San Francisco Peaks, the ski resort received three to five inches of new snow last night, a sign for skiers and snowboarders to get those boards waxed and those discounted season passes picked up.

Arizona Snowbowl crews are preparing the snow guns that soon will be fired up and spraying out a solid base that will blanket many of the trails on the mountain.

“Given the typical cold temperatures that we anticipate around Thanksgiving, we are planning to have enough snow, even without natural snow, to open the trails and lifts on Sunset and Hart Prairie for Black Friday,” said Arizona Snowbowl General Manager J.R. Murray.

For the first time in the ski resort’s 75-year history, Arizona Snowbowl can guarantee a ski season with four months of snow. All Unlimited Season Passes now provide 120+ days of skiing and riding at Snowbowl from late November through early April. Unlimited Season Passholders also will be able to magnify their winter recreation experience through the Powder Alliance, a more than $2,000 value that adds three free days of skiing at each of the 11 other well-known participating Western ski resorts, including Crested Butte, Snowbasin and Sierra-at-Tahoe.

The Midweek Season Pass is now the Snowbowl Select Adult Pass with more days. It is valid Mondays through Fridays, except over the Christmas holiday and Saturday blackouts, plus early and spring season Sundays. Martin Luther King and Presidents’ Day also are included. In addition, Snowbowl Select Adult Passholders receive 50 percent off window lift ticket rates on blackout dates. “This is the right pass for those who have the opportunity to ski midweek and are more selective about when they ski,” said Murray.

Arizona Snowbowl Season Passes are available for the pre-season rate through Oct. 16, online and at the Drury Inn & Suites this weekend, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11 and 12; and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. onSunday, Oct. 13. For a complete listing of Arizona Snowbowl Season Passes, including student and senior rates, visit www.arizonasnowbowl.com

The National Park Service today announced that it has entered into an agreement with the State of Arizona that will allow Grand Canyon National Park to re-open and temporarily operate during the government shutdown.

 

 

 

Due to the lack of appropriations from Congress, the Department of the Interior was forced to close all national parks across the country last week and furlough more than 20,000 National Park Service employees who ensure the safety of visitors and the security of the resources.

 

 

 

Responding to the economic impacts that the park closures are having on many communities and local businesses, Secretary of the Interior Jewell announced Thursday that she will consider agreements with Governors who indicate an interest and ability to fully fund National Park Service personnel to re-open national parks in their states.

 

 

 

“This is a practical and temporary solution that will lessen the pain for some businesses and communities in Arizona during this shutdown,” said Secretary Sally Jewell. “We want to re-open all of our national parks as quickly possible for everyone to enjoy and call on Congress to pass a clean continuing resolution to open the government.”

 

 

 

Under the terms of the agreement, Arizona will donate funds to the National Park Service for the sole purpose of enabling National Park Service employees to re-open and manage Grand Canyon National Park.

 

 

 

The agreement funds Grand Canyon for a period of 7 days, running from Saturday, October 12 through Friday, October 18 at the donated amount of $651,000.00.

 

 

 

Entrances to Grand Canyon will open to the public beginning at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 12. These include the North Rim Entrance Station, the Desert View Entrance Station, and the South Rim Entrance Station. Visitors should be aware that during the first 48 hours many services will be limited.

 

 

 

As stated in the October 7 announcement of the River Permits Accommodation Plan, permittees who had launch dates three days prior to opening and including opening day, may choose to get a refund for permit fees and reschedule. River permit holders with the current launch date will have priority to launch on their scheduled date.

 

 

 

Xanterra South Rim, LLC and Delaware North Companies, Inc. will re-open concessions operated services with limited amenities for the first 48 hours. Guests with hotel reservations should contact Xanterra South Rim directly at 928-638-2631.

 

 

 

The North Rim will re-open for day use with limited visitor services available. The Grand Canyon Lodge operated by Forever Resorts will also re-open with limited guest services; individuals with lodge reservations should contact Forever Resorts 877-386-4383.

During the federal government shutdown in 1995, Arizona operated Grand Canyon at a cost of about $17,000 a day; that figure is expected to be much higher today.

The Coconino County Board of Supervisors issued this statement earlier today.

“The Coconino County Board of Supervisors supports today’s decision by the federal government to allow state officials to finance the reopening of our National Parks shuttered by the government shutdown. We urge Gov. Jan Brewer to work with our federal partners to reopen our state’s National Parks as quickly and orderly as possible.

“The closure of the Grand Canyon National Park, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area and Lake Powell has greatly impacted local businesses and families throughout Coconino County. Each day these areas remain closed millions in tourism dollars are lost.

The Board has sent letters to our Congressional delegation detailing how the shutdown continues to impact the County, our residents, businesses and local tourism industry. The County will continue to work with our federal, state and local officials to help minimize the impact of the shutdown to our residents.”

Photo credit: Bill Ferris Photography