Arizona Snowbowl says it spent more than $1 million getting ready for the 2026/27 season. The two upgrades it names both sit on its gentlest terrain. One is four new tower snow guns near Big Spruce, and the other is a new 150-foot conveyor called Sunshine, which joins the Big Spruce and Little Spruce conveyors in the learning area. The new general manager says he wants that beginner terrain open earlier and wider. The cheapest ways onto the mountain this year also lead to the same place. For Flagstaff households with a first-time skier at home, or anyone who has been meaning to finally learn, the season is aimed at you more directly than usual.
Two November dates frame the run-up to the season, starting with the pass deadline on November 6 and ending with opening day on November 20.
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| October 13 | Snowmaking began on Spur Catwalk, Lower Bowl, Log Jam, Wild Turkey and Round Up |
| November 6 | Last day to buy a 2026/27 season pass at the advertised savings |
| Friday, November 20 | Scheduled opening day, weather permitting, and the day Fort Valley Lodge is scheduled to open daily |
| December 28 to 31 | Blackout days for both weekday passes |
The snow guns went where people learn
Signals AZ reported that snowmaking started on October 13, after a cold front brought overnight temperatures low enough to start building a base. Crews began on Spur Catwalk, Lower Bowl, Log Jam, Wild Turkey and Round Up, with coverage reaching the base of the Arizona Gondola. That is the usual early-season work of building out from the base area.
The new equipment is what stands out this year. The same report says the four tower guns near Big Spruce are meant to improve snow coverage in the learning area. It describes Sunshine as an addition to the conveyors new skiers and snowboarders use. With three conveyors and dedicated snowmaking, the beginner zone has more room and more dependable early snow than a single carpet lift could give it. Snowbowl lists forest health work as part of the same $1 million-plus package.
A general manager who wants the beginner area open sooner
Brandon Thom took over as general manager in August. In a Flagstaff Business News profile, he is described as bringing more than 15 years in hospitality, recreation and attractions operations. That career includes Sesame Place Philadelphia, executive roles within the SeaWorld organization, a stint as vice president and general manager of Adventure Island in Tampa, and most recently senior director of operations for Margaritaville at Sea. Speaking with Flagstaff Business News about the new beginner-terrain conveyor, he was specific about what he wants from it:
"We'd like to get that open earlier and on a wider scale with better grooming and better conditions this year. It is a great investment."
He told the outlet that his style is to walk around, talk with employees and see the resort the way guests do. Someone from the theme park and cruise world pays close attention to a guest's first hour, and at a ski area that first hour usually happens on a conveyor.
The technical side of the mountain stays in familiar hands. Chief Operating Officer Dale Haglin has worked at Snowbowl for 45 years. He was born and raised in Flagstaff, started as a sawyer while attending Northern Arizona University, and spent 30 years as director of mountain operations. He also served as interim general manager until Thom arrived. In the same profile, Thom said he plans to lean on Haglin's expertise in his first winter.
The prices point to the same slope
Snowbowl's pricing this season makes it cheap or free for the people most likely to be standing on Sunshine.
The Power Kids pass is free for children 12 and under, with unlimited skiing and no adult purchase required. The Super Senior Pass is free for guests 75 and older. For everyone in between who wants to try a day without committing to a season, Snowbowl is selling $9 lift tickets on select 2026/27 dates while supplies last. Each one bought online in advance comes with $10 in Snowbowl Cash, and rentals or lessons cost $10 on those same dates. On those dates, a ticket plus a rental or lesson comes to $19, with the $10 in Snowbowl Cash still to spend.
For locals ready to commit, Snowbowl says it has held starting season pass prices since 2023 and has extended its payment plans to the lowest monthly installments it has offered. Snowbowl's site asks buyers to get a 2026/27 pass by November 6 to save, which leaves about a week from the day this post goes up.
The weekday options show how much a Flagstaff address is worth on a ski calendar. Both let you pick one to five weekdays for the season, with Saturdays, Sundays and December 28 to 31 blacked out:
| Weekdays chosen | Snowbowl Weekday Pass | Weekday Power Pass |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | $225 | $299 |
| 3 days | $295 | $425 |
| 5 days | $325 | $549 |
The Power Pass version adds access to all 10 U.S. Power Pass mountains on the days you pick. If all your weekdays will be at Snowbowl, the Snowbowl-only pass covers the same five days for $224 less. The jump from one day to five on that pass is $100, which makes the fifth day cheap.
Nearly every season pass also comes with six tickets at 50% off the online rate. You can use them to bring a friend or to ski yourself on days your restricted pass is blacked out. For a household with one passholder and one learner over 12, those half-price tickets are the obvious pairing with the $9 dates.
Getting your card and getting up the road
Every passholder gets a new RFID card this season, meant to be kept in a pocket for hands-free lift access. The steps before opening day look like this:
- Buy or register the pass. The free Power Kids and Super Senior passes still need registration through Snowbowl's store.
- Pick up the card in person. The season pass page says to scan your QR code at a mountain kiosk this fall. Snowbowl's season pass FAQ says passes are picked up in person during operating hours, at the Hart Prairie Lodge ticket windows in winter or the Agassiz Lodge Retail Shop in summer, and asks for government-issued photo ID. Since the two pages describe pickup differently, check with Snowbowl before driving up just for the card.
- Have the card in hand before November 20, so opening morning starts at the lift and not at a window.
Getting there is the other part of opening day. Fort Valley Lodge sits at 8005 N Snowbowl Rd, at the bottom of Snowbowl Road, and is scheduled to open daily as of Friday, November 20. Snowbowl says the building was renovated and reopened after being closed for more than 20 years. It now has retail items, renovated restrooms and a waiting area where shuttle riders can stay warm. On days when chains or four-wheel drive are required on Snowbowl Road, a free shuttle runs from the lodge to the mountain starting at 8 a.m. Riders need a valid lift ticket or season pass. A virtual queue sends text alerts with your place in line and the estimated wait.
From town, Snowbowl says the free Mountain Express on Mountain Line, running between downtown Flagstaff and Hart Prairie Lodge, is scheduled to return for 2026/27. The resort hasn't posted this season's dates or times yet, so check Snowbowl's winter page before planning a car-free trip.
If this is the winter you, your kids or your visiting family try the Sunshine conveyor, I hope the first runs are good ones. And if a season of trips up Snowbowl Road has you thinking about where you live in relation to Fort Valley and the mountain, Judy Ivicek is glad to talk it through, with no pressure and no deadline. Let's Connect.
