Snowbowl Ski Resort
No winter in Flagstaff would be complete without hitting the slopes at Arizona’s premier ski destination. At an elevation of 9,200 feet, the Arizona Snowbowl boasts 55 scenic trails across 775 acres that cater to skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels. Beginners can cruise the mellow Bart’s Bowl while daredevils challenge themselves on the black diamond runs of the Santa Fe area. The mountain also features 4 terrain parks for those who want to snowboard like Shaun White. After you’ve had your fill of fresh powder, unwind with a hot toddy at the Agassiz Lodge or celebrate your black diamond conquests at the Sore Saddle Saloon. The Snowbowl is open daily during the ski season, typically from mid-November until early April.
Address: 9300 N Snow Bowl Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 779-1951
Riordan Mansion
Step back into Flagstaff’s early days during the holiday season with a tour of the historic Riordan Mansion. This sprawling arts and crafts estate was built in 1904 by the wealthy Riordan family, Arizona logging pioneers. Each December, the 13,000 square foot mansion gets decked out in full Victorian splendor, with dozens of Christmas trees, garlands, nutcrackers and more adorning the richly appointed rooms. Guided tours give visitors a glimpse into how the Western elite families celebrated Christmas over a century ago. The mansion’s annual Christmas at the Mansions tours run through early January. Evening candlelight tours are also available for a slightlymore festive fee. Book early, as these special seasonal tours tend to sell out fast.
Address: 409 W Riordan Rd, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 779-4395
North Pole Experience
What could be more delightful for the young and young-at-heart than a trip to the North Pole…in Flagstaff? This beloved immersive Christmas experience transforms the Little America Hotel into Santa’s village every year from early November to early January. Your crew will be able to sit with St. Nick in his study, write a letter to be sent to the North Pole, make crafts in the Holiday Funshop, and even get their photo with Santa’s famous reindeer team! The whole experience lasts around 2 hours and is designed for full family fun.Book well in advance as availability is limited, especially for peak dates in December. The North Pole Experience sells out nearly every season!
Address: 2515 E Butler Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86004
Phone: (866) 455-1249
Holiday Events on Heritage Square
Downtown Flagstaff’s central Heritage Square pulls out all the stops each holiday season. The square is illuminated with thousands of twinkling lights and plays host to a rotating schedule of festive community events each weekend. Kick off the season with the annual Holiday Lighted Christmas Parade in early December, then come back for shopping markets, outdoor movie nights, visits from Santa, and live musical performances throughout the month. Many Heritage Square events are free to attend, while others like Pickin’ on the Square Bluegrass Show require purchasing tickets. Pick up a hot chocolate or spiced wine from one of the surrounding cafes and soak in all the holiday cheer! Most festivities run from late November through late December.
Address: 25 N Leroux St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 213-2254
Polar Express Train Ride
All aboard for an iconic Christmas experience straight from the beloved children’s book! The Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express makes the magical story come alive with this evening train excursion from Williams to the “North Pole.” Sip on hot chocolate and listen to a reading of The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg while the vintage train whisks you away to the northernmost destination. At the North Pole, Santa and his elves will board the train to greet the children and hand out a special sleigh bell souvenir. Little ones are encouraged to wear their pajamas for the full Polar Express experience.
Address: 235 N Grand Canyon Blvd, Williams, AZ 86046
Phone: (800) 843-8724
Holiday Shows and Concerts
Embrace the seasonal sights and sounds by taking your group to one of Flagstaff’s festive stage performances. The holiday show lineups at venues across town include concerts, plays, ballet productions and more filled with all the joy and nostalgia of Christmas. The Ardrey Auditorium at NAU often hosts beloved family favorites like A Christmas Carol, Elf the Musical, and Mannheim Steamroller Christmas shows. Over at the Orpheum Theater, you can delight in acclaimed concerts from the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra and the Flagstaff Light Opera Company. Be sure to check local venues’ schedules and reserve your group’s seats early for these extremely popular yuletide events!
Address: Ardrey Auditorium Bldg 37, NAU Campus, Flagstaff, AZ 86011
Phone: (928) 523-5661
Address: Orpheum Theater 15 W Aspen Ave, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 556-1580
Flagstaff Extreme Adventure Course
For an adrenaline-pumping winter adventure, take your thrill-seeking squad to brave the Flagstaff Extreme trees! This towering playground of suspended bridges, zigzag beams, cargo nets, swinging ropes and ziplines is kept open year-round. Strap into a harness and trek the frosty elevated obstacle courses reaching heights up to 70 feet in the ponderosa pines. The standard adult course takes around 2 hours to complete while a separate route is offered just for kids. Cap off your expedition with a hair-raising dual racing zipline finale. Both day and night courses are available during the winter. Dress in plenty of warm layers and be prepared for an extreme winter wonderland.
Address: 16800 N Hwy 89, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 600-9667
Holiday Lights Trolley Tour
See Flagstaff’s dazzling display of residential holiday light displays from the comfort of a heated trolley! This narrated hour-long tour winds through several of Flagstaff’s most extravagantly decorated neighborhoods, giving you a front-row view of millions of sparkling lights without having to drive around yourself. The trolley makes a stop about halfway through the tour so you can cozy up with hot chocolate or coffee to warm your hands. Sing along to classic Christmas carols playing throughout the ride.
Address: 109 N Agassiz St, Flagstaff, AZ 86001
Phone: (928) 779-9804
Rent With Party Bus Flagstaff To Hit Every Attraction
From the slopes of Snowbowl to the North Pole Experience village, Flagstaff is truly a winter paradise during the holidays. Don’t let your festivities get bogged down by driving, parking and winter weather woes. Call Party Bus Flagstaff at 928-707-8906 and we’ll make sure your group arrives at every holiday attraction together, comfortably and in style. Our luxury buses and professional driving team will make this season one to remember!