Elk Ridge may become year-round destination
Even before snow is in the forecast, things are looking up for skiers, sledders and others who enjoy playing in the snow of northern Arizona.
Mountain Capital Partners, the company behind Arizona Snowbowl and four other ski resorts in the West, is set to purchase Elk Ridge Ski Area near Williams. The 37-acre snow-play area with a summit of 8,150 feet is best known as a low-cost option for beginners and families that also has hills for sledding and tubing.
The sale will eventually mean improvements for Elk Ridge, which could make the destination more attractive for Phoenix-area skiers. That could help Elk Ridge, about 35 miles west of Flagstaff, ease some of the congestion at heavily used Snowbowl during peak times.
In the press release announcing the sale, Snowbowl General Manager J.R. Murray said improvements would include replacing Elk Ridge’s two ski lifts and adding year-round recreation opportunities. The move could also mean more hours of operation for Elk Ridge, which has been open infrequently in recent years.
“Our first priority is to evaluate the operations for this coming season and work with the Kaibab National Forest to open tubing and some level of skiing,” Murray said.
Having Elk Ridge open more often would also help replace the loss of the popular Wing Mountain sledding area north of Flagstaff. Operators of that facility canceled their permit with the Forest Service last spring, meaning the site won’t open and the 1-mile road connecting the sledding area to U.S. 180 will be closed this winter.
Mountain Capital Partners is working with the Kaibab National Forest to secure a special use permit for Elk Ridge before it can open. Spokesman John Brice said they hoped to have the details worked out in time to open for the Christmas season.
“A component of the permit is the submittal of a master plan for the area,” Brice said via email. “We will be working with the (U.S. Forest Service) and the Williams community on future opportunities and projects to enhance the recreational offerings on a year-round basis.”
Financial details of the purchase and cost of improvements are not being made public, Brice said.
Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Heather Provencio said she was looking forward to seeing the plans for Elk Ridge and hoped it would be open more often.
“Elk Ridge has been open very little in the past and the forest would like to see that change so that more visitors are able to take advantage of winter recreation opportunities in the Williams area,” she said.
Part of the reason for Elk Ridge’s inconsistent openings has been a lack of snow. Snowmaking is not allowed at that location.
Brice said they would look into other recreational activities to reduce the dependency on natural snow and make Elk Ridge a year-round destination.