This has been an exceptional winter for snowfall. Currently, we are in the top 10 for all-time snowfall amounts and we still have a month (or more) to go. This much snow brings a lot of work clearing the driveway, sidewalks, and even the roof.
But there is an upside and we get to ski. An earlier post showed a day spent on the San Francisco Peaks. There are also some nice trails and small hills closer to our home and we have found ourselves skiing this gentle terrain several times this winter.
Heading out of Fort Tuthill County Park.Outside the boundaries of the park are a few small hills that allow us to get in some downhill runs on our skis.We just go up and down a bunch of times.But first we have to dig ourselves out and clear the driveway. Note that the road is not yet cleared.Sidewalk tunnels.This chart shows that we are having an “Extreme Winter” in Flagstaff.
This chart shows that we are having an “Extreme Winter” in Flagstaff.
Fortunately, we are experiencing a break in the winter storm pattern and the warm temperatures are melting the snow. But it will take time.
Here are some recent photographs of winter scenes in and near Flagstaff.
An early morning photo shoot near Mormon Lake.
A few nights of sub-zero temperatures provided enough ice for these locals to skate and play hockey on some water detention ponds.
Panorama of the detention pond next to the Sheep Crossing FUTS trail.Panorama of the detention pond north of the Sheep Crossing FUTS trail.Ice hockey on the frozen detention pond.
New Years Eve day brought widespread fog and low clouds to the area.
Low clouds and fog in Mormon Lake.Low clouds and fog on Forest Highway 3.
There was even enough snow for a bit of cross country skiing at Fort Tuthill County Park.
Skiing of Soldiers Trail at Fort Tuthill County Park.Snow-covered trees in Fort Tuthill County Park.Snow-covered trees in Fort Tuthill County Park.
More snow is expected later this week…more photos likely.
In late January we had many days of snow with over 40″ falling in about 11 days. What a great chance to ski down Skunk Canyon. I’ve been here many times walking, running, and mountain biking—but never skiing.
Skiing down Skunk Canyon near Flagstaff.
In the morning, it was quite cold—the overnight low temperature was +9°F—and the snow was very dry; Swix Blue Extra Wax was perfect for getting a bit of grip and a good glide. There was a broken trail part of the way into the canyon but mostly we had untracked snow and broke our own trail.
Fisher Point with snow.
At the point where Skunk Canyon briefly gets very narrow everyone but me turned around. I had never been to Fisher Point in the snow and I was probably not going to get another chance for a while so I continued. There were some old, snow-covered ski and snowshoe tracks here and folks had probably come in via Walnut Canyon and the Arizona Trail. But no one else was there while I visited.
Ski tracks in Skunk Canyon.
I turned around to retrace my steps and within a few minutes was having issues with the rapidly warming snow sticking to my skis. I was no longer able to glide and several inches of heavy snow were clumping to the bottom of the skis. Wow! This was going to be a long slog back to the car. I was pretty tired when I finished and the deep powder was already a distant memory.
And that’s what skiing in Flagstaff is like. Once the storm ends and the sun comes out there is only a very brief window of a few hours. Get it while you can.
