Arizona Snowbowl history

The original 1940’s ski lodge

In 1941, the CCC built a beloved lodge, but it burned down 11 years later.

In the 40’s, Snowbowl was largely shut down due to World War II. In 1946, a businessman from California, Al Grassmoen, bought Arizona Snowbowl and eventually built Agassiz Lodge by hand.

Skiers enjoy the snow in the bowlside during the 1950’s

After a decade of skiing on rope tows and a poma lift, the original Riblet Lift was installed in 1962.

Full-scale development, with shops, restaurants, and lodges were first proposed in 1969, but the opposition of several tribes and community groups delayed further construction.

Arizona Snowbowl chairlift in 1973.

According to the judge, permitting the Snowbowl expansion may have offended their beliefs, but the Forest Service had met the basic provisions of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act of 1978.

The basis of our existence will become a mere fairy tale.” Despite Hopi and Navajo protests, the Forest Service regional supervisor in 1980 approved the paving of an access road into the ski area.

If the 1986 lift was a ’68 Chevy, then its original rope tow was a pull-along wagon.

Not until 1988 was Sunset chairlift built! Who remembers when the towers were flown in by helicopter?

In fact, when Murray first began his stint as general manager in 1989, Snowbowl Road was unpaved.

In 2002, the City of Flagstaff signed a contract to sell reclaimed wastewater to Snowbowl for the purposes of creating artificial snow during its winter season.

In 2005, the Navajo Nation sued the United States Forest Service, which provides Snowbowl with a “special use permit” for its operations on the San Francisco Peaks, for its proposed snowmaking.

In the 2010’s, an effort was made to improve the largest beginner terrain in the southwest.

Twenty-five people were arrested between May and August 2011, including author and NPR commentator Mary Sojourner and Klee Benally, Diné singer/guitarist for the rock group Blackfire, who has been arrested twice since protests began.

Arizona Snowbowl began the use of artificial snow in 2012, a move which has garnered widespread concerns and protest from locals citizens and Native American tribes.

On August 8, 2014, the city of Flagstaff approved a 20-year deal to sell reclaimed water to Arizona Snowbowl.

In 2015, Snowbowl opened its first new chairlift in 30 years, the Humphrey’s Peak Quad, which serves popular intermediate trails.

To that end, the Grand Canyon Express (high-speed six-person chair) was installed and opened in late 2016.