Mount Lemmon Ski Valley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley |
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 Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley
Location in Arizona
Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley
Location in the United States
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| Location | Pima County, Arizona, USA |
| Nearest city | Tucson, Arizona |
| Coordinates | 32°27′08″N 110°47′02″W / 32.45222°N 110.78389°W |
| Top elevation | 9,157 feet (2,791 m) |
| Base elevation | 8,200 feet (2,499 m) |
| Skiable area | 200 acres (0.81 km2) |
| Runs | 21 20% beginner 38% intermediate 42% advanced/expert |
| Longest run | 8,500 feet (2.59 km); |
| Lift system | 3 (2 double chairlifts, 1 chair) |
| Snowfall | 180 in/year (457.2 cm/year) |
| Snowmaking | No |
| Night skiing | No |
| Website | www.skithelemmon.com |
Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is a fun ski area in the U.S. state of Arizona. It is the southernmost place to ski in the main part of the United States. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is found on the slopes of Mount Lemmon. This mountain is in the Santa Catalina Mountains, just north of Tucson, Arizona. It is part of the Coronado National Forest. The ski area is also close to the small mountain village of Summerhaven. The top of the mountain is about 9,157 feet (2,791 m) high. It gets around 180 inches (4.6 m) of snow every year.
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Skiing at Mount Lemmon
Mount Lemmon often gets big winter storms. These storms leave lots of fresh, untouched snow. The ski season usually runs from mid-December to April. The weather is often mild enough that you can ski in a sweater and jeans. Temperatures usually stay between 20 to 50 °F (−7 to 10 °C).
Terrain and Trails
Mount Lemmon does not groom its slopes. This means the snow is not smoothed out by machines. This makes even the easier trails a bit more challenging and exciting. The ski area has about 200 acres (0.81 km2) of skiable land. There are 22 trails to explore.
- 20% are for beginners.
- 38% are for intermediate skiers.
- 42% are for advanced and expert skiers.
The longest trail is about 8,500 feet (2,600 m) long.
Getting There
You can reach Ski Valley by driving on the Catalina Highway. Parking at the ski area can be limited. Sometimes, the ski area closes on weekdays, even when there is snow. The specific days it closes can change. After heavy snowfalls, the highway often closes for a day or so. This happens until snow plows can clear the road. During these times, you might need special equipment. This could include snow chains for your tires or a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
The "back" road to Mount Lemmon from Oracle, Arizona, is a dirt road. It is closed from December through March. So, you cannot use this road during the ski season.
Beyond Skiing: The Sky Ride
The ski lift at Mount Lemmon runs all year long. In the summer, it becomes a "Sky Ride" experience. It offers amazing views of the Ski Valley area. You can see forests, grassy slopes, and far-off mountains. You can also see valleys stretching out north of the Santa Catalinas.
Who Runs the Ski Valley?
Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is on land owned by the United States Forest Service. However, a private company operates it. They run the ski area with a special permit from the Forest Service.
Mountain Facts
Elevation
- Base: 8,200 feet (2,500 m)
- Summit: 9,150 feet (2,790 m)
- Vertical drop: 950 feet (This is the third highest drop in Arizona!)
Lifts
- There are 3 lifts in total.
- These include 2 double chairlifts.
- There is also 1 surface lift.
- The lifts can carry about 2,000 skiers up the mountain every hour.
- The area gets around 180 inches (4.6 m) of snow each year.
