Just as two Norwegian brothers introduced Flagstaff to skiing 100 years ago, Arizona Snowbowl is doing it again, ringing in the New Year and Learn to Ski Month with 500 FREE skiing and snowboarding packages, plus 500 discounted packages, starting Monday, Jan. 6.
During the winter of 1914-1915, Flagstaff had six feet of snow. So, Ole and Pete Solberg made a pair of skis out of pinewood and Ole took a run down Observatory Hill. Local historian Jane Jackson says two girls witnessed this new sport and told their friends. “The next day, 100 people turned out to watch Ole ski. Unfortunately, the snow had melted off the top string of a barbed wire fence along his run. It caught his skis and sent him crashing into a rock. Ole survived, but not the skis,” she said. “The townspeople, however, thought it was a great stunt!”
With today’s much improved equipment, skiing is easier and safer than ever, and right now, Arizona Snowbowl is offering free packages to teach first-time skiers or snowboarders the fundamentals of snow sports and mountain safety.
Snowbowl’s Learn to Ski and Snowboard package includes a Hart Prairie Beginner Area lift ticket, full day rental equipment and a two-hour lesson. Each day this month (except Jan. 18 and 19), 10 free ski packages and 10 free snowboard packages are available. The ski resort is offering an additional 10 ski packages and 10 snowboard packages each day for $45, essentially the cost of a lesson. Participants must be at least 13 years old and register online at arizonasnowbowl.com. There is a $1 processing fee.
“Everyone at Arizona Snowbowl is excited about bringing more Flagstaff residents into our family of skiers and snowboarders,” said Arizona Snowbowl General Manager J.R. Murray.
Arizona Snowbowl has the largest beginner ski terrain in the Southwest, including two chairlifts and two surface conveyors. The conveyers act like moving sidewalks and take the intimidation out of getting on and off a chairlift.
“With an estimated value of more than $50,000, these Learn to Ski and Snowboard packages are Arizona Snowbowl’s gift to the community,” said Marketing Director Jason Stratton. “We want to share the joy of outdoor winter recreation with our ski town.”
For more information, visit arizonasnowbowl.com. Also see ArizonaSnowbowl.com, Facebook.com/AZSnowbowl and Twitter.com/AZSnowbowl