The Pacific is heating up, the forecasts are gaining momentum, and the 2026/27 season is already giving skiers and riders plenty to be excited about!
A strengthening El Niño is expected to influence weather patterns across the country this winter, and the Southwest could be positioned to benefit. During many El Niño seasons, the storm track shifts south, creating more opportunities for Pacific storms to reach Arizona. Some weather forecasters are even discussing the potential for a “super El Niño”—an exceptionally strong event that could fuel an active winter weather pattern.
Every winter unfolds differently, and El Niño is a shift in the odds, not a guarantee. But the signals are lining up—and the potential for a memorable season at Arizona Snowbowl is building!
Why El Niño Has Arizona Skiers Excited
El Niño winters have historically created favorable snowfall patterns across parts of the Southwest. When the storm track lines up with northern Arizona, Snowbowl’s high-elevation terrain can be in an excellent position to receive deep, consistent snowfall.
The World Meteorological Organization expects El Niño to continue strengthening as winter approaches. Ski weather outlets including OpenSnow and Unofficial Networks have also highlighted the potential for an active season across the southern United States and Southwest.
In other words: winter has our attention!
Snowbowl Knows Deep Winters
During the most recent El Niño winter, 2023/24, Snowbowl received 281 inches of snow and kept skiing and riding open through June 1st—a great example of what this pattern can do for northern Arizona.
And when the storm cycle locks onto northern Arizona, the results can be historic with or without El Niño’s help: Snowbowl’s biggest season in recent years, 2022/23, brought in 399 inches of natural snowfall over a winter that wasn’t an official El Niño year at all. That season showed what’s possible here when elevation and storm track come together.
Every winter develops differently. But between the elevation, the terrain, and a storm track that El Niño tends to favor, Snowbowl is set up to deliver a season guests remember for years ahead.
Be Ready When the Storms Arrive
The best powder days are rarely planned months in advance—they happen when the forecast changes, the flakes start falling and the mountain wakes up covered in fresh snow.
A season pass gives you the freedom to be there. Instead of choosing one weekend and hoping the conditions line up, passholders can follow the season from the first turns of winter through late-season laps in the spring.
Snowbowl is also heading into the season with snowmaking enhancements, terrain enhancements and a smoother RFID pass experience designed to help guests make the most of every mountain day.
With El Niño strengthening and another winter approaching fast, the smart move is to lock in now, before the first storm does the deciding for you.
Get your 2026/27 season pass and be ready when the snow starts stacking up!
