Arizona Snowbowl Sets Nov. 20 Opening With $1 Lift Tickets on Select Dates

Arizona Snowbowl received 2 inches of snow overnight into Sept. 29, marking the resort’s first snowfall of the season.

• In 1948, skiers paid $1.50 for a day of unlimited rides on Snowbowl’s intermediate rope tow, according to Arizona Highways. Nearly 80 years later, Snowbowl has eight dates with lift tickets priced at $1.

• Snowbowl is scheduled to open Nov. 20, weather permitting. The resort has also invested more than $1 million ahead of winter, including a new beginner conveyor, snowmaking upgrades and forest health work that will improve tree skiing in several areas.

• Majority of scheduled operating days currently priced at $9 or less; new Sunshine conveyor and upgraded snowmaking coming this winter

More than half of Arizona Snowbowl’s scheduled operating days are currently priced at $9 or less for the 2026-27 ski season, including eight dates with $1 lift tickets. Snowbowl is scheduled to open Nov. 20, weather permitting.

“With El Niño strengthening, there’s a lot of excitement about what this winter could bring to the Southwest, and we’ve spent the summer getting Snowbowl ready,” said Angie Grubb, marketing manager at Arizona Snowbowl. “If you haven’t bought a pass or planned a trip yet, $9 lift tickets are a good reason to start.”

Snowbowl has invested more than $1 million in improvements ahead of winter, including a new beginner conveyor, snowmaking upgrades, forest health work and RFID access.

A new 150-foot conveyor, Sunshine, will debut alongside the existing Big Spruce and Little Spruce conveyors. The project builds on recent improvements to beginner access, including the Aspen Chairlift, which opened in 2024. Together, the conveyors and Aspen Chairlift give beginners a path from their first turns to lift-served terrain.

Snowbowl installed four tower snow guns near Big Spruce to improve coverage in the learning area and help maintain reliable access between terrain pods.

Forest health work this summer opened up new lines through the trees below Spur Catwalk and Midway Catwalk, near Upper and Lower Volcano, and around the Sunset Chairlift. The work was part of a broader stewardship effort that treated approximately 92 acres within the ski area boundary, removing dead and downed timber to reduce accumulated fuels and improve forest conditions.

The resort is also introducing RFID access cards and self-service pickup kiosks this winter, allowing guests who purchase online to bypass the ticket window.

Snowbowl uses demand-based pricing, with the lowest prices available for guests who buy early. Eligible advance-purchase lift tickets include $10 in Snowbowl Cash to spend at the resort. Kids 12 and younger ski free all season with the Power Kids Pass, with no blackout dates and no purchase required.

For more information, visit snowbowl.ski or follow Snowbowl on Instagram and Facebook.