flagstaff nordic center

I live in Phoenix and try to run off to Flagstaff at the slightest opportunity to escape the sweltering heat. This year, however, I could not travel until it was the last week of February. Glad I did - since this was probably one of the last weekends to try out the various snow activities that Nordic Center - 16 miles north of Flagstaff - offers. Drives to Flagstaff (just around 2 hours from Phoenix) is always pleasant. As you travel further north between Dec - Feb you can almost always see snow on the ground. We saw vast swathes of snow covered lands in the pine forests while driving north along US 180. Always check for road conditions before you travel though - especially in Dec - Jan. Nordic center is just a few miles north of Arizona snowbowl. There a small area just adjacent to the visitor center / information / front desk - where you can snowplay for free. The place has a couple of picnic tables and moderate snow. Everything else is paid. You can do skiing, snowshoeing, snow biking (fat tyre bicycles, not motorized bikes) or rent yurts and cabins and spend a longer time. All equipment can be rented and you need to pay for trail passes as well. We rented snowshoes and walked the trails for about $15 per person. Snow shoes can be a little difficult to walk with if you have never worn them but you get the feel soon enough. We walked most of the 1.5 miles trail all by ourselves and stopped frequently for many wonderful pictures. There are bigger trails too. Dress in layers because snowshoeing is strenuous exercise and you'd probably like to take off your warmer jackets towards the end of the trail. Also carry extra pair of socks. Try to start walking / skiing as early as you can because you have to return to the visitor center by 4 PM. Ours was just a daytrip but you can stay for longer periods by renting one of the yurts or cabins. The accommodations are very basic though, and you don't get running water. By the time you are reading this review the snow is probably gone for the year; however Nordic center is still a great place for hiking or mountain biking. And you can always plan to come back next year - as we are going to do.

The Flagstaff Nordic Center is a beautiful spot just north of Flagstaff on Highway 180. I have been going there for some years now for cross country skiing. They have so much more, snow play, dog trails, snowshoe trails and fat tire bikes. They also have yurts for rent so you can have a fantastic weekend getaway. The Nordic Center operates in the Coconino National Forest to the scenery is breathtaking. This is a great place to go for someone who just wants to ge out and ski like myself. A great place for families to include the dog. I would caution couples though, you see they also can host a wedding here. Remember, always know what you are getting yourself into before setting out.

We decided to spend a weekend in Flagstaff following a big snowstorm. I have a few friends that converted from downhill skiing to snowshoeing so I decided to try it for myself. The drive on US 180 is a beautiful trip through towering Ponderosa Pines. Although there was a big group ahead of us renting equipment, our wait time was minimal. The conditions were excellent for a first-timer; the trail was packed and well groomed. The whole feel of the place is relaxed and the staff were efficient and friendly. There are lots of ways to get on the snow here to enjoy the peace and beauty all around you.

Just come back from a night in the honeysuckle yurt with my 20 year old stepson. Fantastic time, not enough snow for skiing or snowshoes but we rented 2 fat tyre bikes and covered loads of the trails. We also hiked up to "morning glory" yurt and climbed the peak behind it, the view from the top is worth the effort getting there. The yurts are great for 2 people and with the good mattress and stove fired up we were as warm as toast and slept really well.The staff were very helpful and we really couldn't fault the place at all, we will definitely come back!Thanks again.

Went recently.... the man who rented us bikes (they don't rent cross country skis, they state this on their website, on their phone message, and when we arrived and only two places in flagstaff do, and their size selection is just okay). So, we rented snowbikes, which was a crazy workout, but fun. I'd love to see them offer bikes with Bionx electric pedal-assist on them, and would have paid an extra $20-$30 just to rent a bike like this, it would have made the day so much more enjoyable. Trails aren't super clear to figure out for biking, as we didn't want to go on the trails where people are supposed to cross-country ski. Needs improvement, but I understand the difficulty in the high country where it's so dry and the ski season is so short. Would love to see them have a summer tree-bridge trail... that'd be cool... going from tree to tree rigged up for safety - not zip lining, just hiking up in the treetops....

The operator we spoke to wasn't the friendliest or most helpful (kind of a sarcastic --- at some parts) but despite that, it was still a wonderful experience! The center was easy for us to reserve, check in, and check out. The staff provided materials for us that I'd expected we'd have to fetch and the outhouse surprisingly smelled amazingly! I never thought I'd say that! It was clean, easy, and simple. We stayed in a small yurt which was such a fun experience for those seeking a tiny bit of a challenge or adventure. Go when it snows. It was very reasonably priced, too. I'm so glad I went here! :)

My husband and I stayed here for three nights as part of a nine day trip through Arizona (and part of Utah). It's one hour away from the Grand Canyon, just 16 miles from Flagstaff, and close to the meteor crater and Wupatki Monument. After spending more money on accommodation in other areas, it was great to have our yurt as a low cost "base" to come back to after our daily excursions. The yurt was clean and comfortable. I highly recommend purchasing firewood (we went in the summer and were still cold at night). It's easy to purchase firewood from the friendly staff. An $8 crate of firewood would last about 4 nights. We stayed in a back country yurt which we liked for its privacy. It was very quiet, and very dark at night. The yurt had a small glass dome on top, through which you can view the stars. The two mile hike to the yurt is not strenuous, and a cart is provided for transporting your luggage.

We stayed at the Nordic center for 3 days and absolutely loved it! Yurts are very accommodating, clean and a great place to stay while hiking the wonderful trails.

When there's snow it's great for skiing. I've biked in the summer before as well and it is peaceful. Great staff.

I am a little reluctant to write this review because my husband and I hike up there on weekends and we basically have the place to ourselves. We hike the cross country ski trails. They are well marked but Denise in the office also has maps. They rent yerts which families seem to enjoy. Also lots of weddings. They set up tents etc. I think they started renting mountain bikes as well.

My girlfriends and I camp quite a bit with our families but we were looking for a camping experience without having to lug our tents along. This fit the bill perfectly. The cabins are just that, a small log cabin with a full bed and a bunk bed, a table with chairs and a wood stove. The setting is lovely in the pines of Flagstaff and the cooler temps were a nice change from the desert heat.

We booked a stay in the yurts months in advance, and were surprised that there was no snow. Oh well, great hiking, and we rented snow bikes from the nordic center--WHAT A HOOT! Now shopping for a fat-bike. We rode the bikes to the top yurt, then climbed the hill behind the yurt: it gives a beautiful 360ish view. A nice view of the downhill ski area, as well as the north rim of the Grand Canyon off in the distance.The yurt was a fun place to stay also. Highly recommended.

We stayed a couple of nights here when we went to the Grand Canyon. We planned on staying in a Yurt, but felt it was too small for 2 people and 2 dogs. It would have been fine as a place to sleep, but was a little too cozy to spend much time. The guy in the visitor center was very friendly and helpful and moved us to a cabin. The store has a good variety of snacks, drinks and things you may have forgotten like a toothbrush or deck of cards. The cabins and yurts are very cute and all have wood burning stove inside and a fire pit as well as a BBQ outside. The only downside it they are all very close together so there isn't much privacy and you are at the mercy of others behavior. We were very lucky and had a great group of people there, but the people in the yurts were disturbed by a rude loud group late one night. Great stop over on the way to the canyon, beautiful setting in the national forest and I guess those crazy people that like the cold could enjoy it in the winter. Not me.

There are only a few yurts and cabins there, so its never crowded. Great hiking and mountain biking trails. Only 10mins from Flagstaff and 1 hour to Grand Canyon. Very clean, quiet and a unique experience. Most the workers there were very nice and welcoming, but a few of them had the granola elitist attitude we could have done without...

How could you not love the Flagstaff Nordic Center? Groomed trails, prices reasonable, nice people there. Ski or snow shoe. This is a great part of our Flagstaff community. And it's never been crowded when I've been there, even on weekends.