Discover Flagstaff wishes everyone a festive holiday season.
Following in the footsteps of the fall Leaf-ometer that motivates locals and visitors alike to view the vibrant colors of autumn in select locations, the Snow-ometer is similar and serves as a resource that provides visitors and locals options for responsible snow play.
The up-to-date snow gauge works hand in hand with the Winter Recreation Map (https://www.flagstaffarizona.org/things-to-do/outdoors-nature/winter-adventure/winter-recreation-map/) published by Discover Flagstaff, which is intended to direct winter enthusiasts to appropriate recreation areas.
The Winter Recreation Map is a partnership with the city, Coconino County and nearby winter attractions. It is designed to inform visitors before they arrive, and to ensure they are fully aware of measures to be safe and prepared, to leave no trace and respect property when they visit. Additionally, it encourages visitors to be prepared to stay overnight if they get caught in the unpredictable weather.
The Snow-ometer and Winter Recreation Map are important tools as Flagstaff prepares for key holiday events, which are the highlight of the holiday season.
The first of those is the Winter Wonderland and Tree Lighting, a free event planned for 2:30 to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 7, at Heritage Square. The family-friendly celebration kicks off the season with hot cocoa, s’mores, crafts, live music and more. It culminates with the lighting of the tree at 6:15 p.m. and a visit from Santa.
New this year at the Visitor Center at 1 E. Route 66 will be horse-drawn carriage rides that promise to bring a festive holiday attraction downtown. The rides will be free and are planned on weekends, 1-4 p.m., from Dec. 7 to Jan. 5.
The Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance (DBA) is offering specials throughout the season that include a Holiday Shopping Passport that runs through Jan. 6. The free passport is available at participating businesses and online at downtownflagstaff.org. Shoppers who visit at least five participating businesses or spend a total of $250 will be entered for a chance to win gift cards from downtown shops. People can earn bonus entries by donating to a giving tree at downtown businesses or to the Howlidays Pawp-Up fundraiser, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 8, at Heritage Square. The Pawp-Up is a chance to dress your pet for a free photo with Santa. Donations will be accepted, benefitting High Country Humane and Coconino Humane Association.
The DBA also is sponsoring a free Winter Movie Series at The Orpheum Theater with Saturday showings Dec. 7, 14 and 21. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and concessions will be available for showings of Home Alone, Elf and The Polar Express, which will feature a Santa appearance! Each of those Saturdays also will feature Breakfast with Santa from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at The Weatherford Hotel, with tickets available online.
Another holiday shopping opportunity on Saturday, Dec. 14, will be the Handmade for the Holidays market from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Flagstaff Mall. The woman-owned market promises 60 vendors selling a variety of soaps, candles, woodwork, home décor, crochet, clothing, jewelry and more. The East Flagstaff Community Market produces the event.
Visitors already have been heading to Flagstaff thanks to October and November storms that allowed Arizona Snowbowl to open Friday, Nov. 8, the earliest first day in 86 years for the resort, and two full weeks before the lifts were scheduled to start turning.
Snowbowl is debuting a new, fixed-grip, quad lift for beginners this year. The Aspen Chairlift will serve four new trails: Giddy Up, Chipmunk Chase, Lupine Lane and Jackrabbit, building upon the already renowned terrain for beginners on the mountain.
This all builds to Flagstaff’s biggest winter celebration, the Great Pinecone Drop at The Weatherford Hotel on New Year’s Eve. While some will ring in 2025 with VIP tickets to the Zane Grey Ballroom, Bar and Balcony, more than 10,000 people are expected to fill the streets downtown for the occasion.
The usual plan is for the elaborately decorated Pinecone to descend from the Weatherford’s roof at noon and 10 p.m. for those revelers with early-morning plans on the first of the year, and again at midnight for traditionalists who brave the chilly night air to record the passing of another year.
The Noon Year’s Eve event Dec. 31 will feature crafts, photos, noisemakers and other family-friendly programming.
Discover Flagstaff wishes everyone a festive holiday season. Visit discoverflagstaff.com for additional information. FBN
By Ryan Randazzo
Ryan Randazzo is the media relations and marketing project manager for Discover Flagstaff.
Courtesy Photo: New Year’s Eve revelers will ring in 2025 with the Weatherford Hotel’s Great Pinecone Drop and perhaps a kiss for luck.
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