Making the best of it

This winter's snowfall has created a wealth of winter recreation opportunities in the area

On the Tusayan Ranger District, there is the Grandview Nordic Center near Grandview Point. Take Highway 64 east, turn right on the road to the Arizona Trail. The road is closed but there is ample parking with signs directing to the ski area. There are three loop trails marked: 7.5-mile-long Twin Lakes Loop, 1.1-mile Grandview Lookout Loop and 3.7-mile Boundary Loop. Info: Tusayan Ranger District, 638-2443.

On the Coconino National Forest, there is no general snowplay allowed at the Arizona Snowbowl ski area. There is no parking along Forest Road 516, Snowbowl Road.

Keep in mind, ADOT tickets cars parked on Highway 180. If you park along this stretch of road, be sure to be completely off of the roadway.

At Wing Mountain eight miles north of Flagstaff, at the end of a short spur road, the Forest Service has marked over 17 miles of cross-country ski trails for visitor use. No mechanized grooming is provided but tracks are usually skied in reasonably soon after a storm. Trails are basically level though a few have some gradient.

Only soft snow-play items are allowed; no wood, metal or fiberglass sleds/snowboards are allowed. This site is operated and managed by Recreation Resource Management under a temporary special use permit with the Coconino National Forest.

The cost per vehicle is $10 for up to five people or $2 per person. Services include parking management for over 500 vehicles, snowplowing, portable restrooms, trash receptacles and the sale of winter gear and concessions on busy weekends and holidays.

Please be aware that the Wing Mountain Seasonal Motorized Wheeled Vehicle closure is effective through the end of March. The roads affected by the closure include Forest Roads 222, 519, 519A and 222B beyond Wing Mountain Pit.

Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily, depending on snow and weather conditions.

Snowmobile and cross country ski trails are accessible from there. Directions: Northwest on Highway 180 to mile post 226, take Forest Road 222B one mile to parking area.

Peakview parking area is a mile before the Snowbowl Road at mile post 222. The area has a picnic table and restrooms. There is access to the forest for hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and other types of recreation.

To get to Crowley Pit take Highway 180 northwest about a mile past the Flagstaff Nordic Center, turn left at the parking sign (mile post 233), and continue to the parking area. (The only sign for Crowley is a "Parking" sign.)

To get to Walker Lake (Kendrick Park Watchable Wildlife Area), continue northwest on Highway 180 approximately 14 miles and turn left into the parking area (mile post 235).

For more information click "Current Conditions" or contact: Peaks Ranger Station, 5075 N. Highway 89, Flagstaff,