Summer in Northern Arizona is made for mountain air, scenic views, and days spent outside together. Whether you’re visiting Flagstaff for the weekend, looking for family-friendly things to do close to home, or planning a summer adventure through Arizona’s high country, Arizona Snowbowl is the perfect place to spend a day in the mountains.
With Scenic Gondola Rides to 11,500 feet, summer activities, lunch with a view, live music, sunset rides, and lodging just down the road at Basecamp, Snowbowl makes it easy to turn an ordinary summer day into a mountain adventure.
Here’s how to spend your day.
Start with a Scenic Gondola Ride to 11,500 Feet
A great summer day at Snowbowl starts at 10 AM, giving your family time to arrive, get settled, and take your first ride on the Arizona Gondola.
Morning rides are a beautiful way to begin the day, with cooler temperatures, normally calm winds, and some of the clearest views. As you ride above the trees, you’ll take in sweeping sights of the Grand Canyon, Sedona, Flagstaff, the San Francisco Peaks, and beyond.
The gondola ride takes you to 11,500 feet, the highest lift-served point in Arizona. The ride itself takes about 30 minutes round trip, but plan for closer to an hour so you have time to explore, take photos, and enjoy the views at the top.
For families looking to add a little more adventure, take the short Summit Trail from the top of the gondola up to 12,000 feet, where a scenic overlook offers even more stunning views across Northern Arizona. It’s a memorable way to experience the mountain and a perfect photo stop before heading back down.
Scenic Gondola Ride tickets include unlimited rides all day on the date of your ticket, so you can ride again later, revisit the views, or make the gondola part of your full day on the mountain.
Scenic Gondola Ride tickets are as low as $4 this summer, and adult tickets, ages 13+, purchased online by 11:59 PM the day before your visit include $10 in Bowl Bucks to spend around the resort.
Refuel with Lunch at Agassiz Lodge
After your first gondola ride, head back to the base area for lunch at Agassiz Lodge.
Located at 9,500 feet, Agassiz Lodge is the perfect place to slow down, grab a bite, and enjoy the mountain atmosphere before the afternoon fun begins. With scenic views, cool mountain air, and plenty of space to relax, it’s an easy midday reset for families.
Spend the Afternoon Playing on the Mountain
Once everyone is recharged, keep the adventure going with Snowbowl’s summer activities, all located near the base area.
Younger kids can enjoy favorites like the bungee trampoline, treasure panning, downhill tubing, and rock climbing wall, while older kids, teens, and adults can explore mini golf, disc golf, VR skiing, tubing, climbing, and more.
Mini golf and disc golf are great self-guided options if your family wants to move at its own pace. Disc golf is free, and if you don’t have your own discs, you can purchase them in the retail shop before heading out.
Visit on a Friday for the Best Family Value
For families looking to make the most of their day, Family Fridays are the best way to experience Snowbowl this summer.
Every Friday now through August 7, Family Fridays include unlimited Scenic Gondola Rides and unlimited summer activities for one all-day price:
Kids: $39
Adults: $59
That means your crew can ride the gondola, play on the mountain, take a lunch break, and head back out for more fun without feeling rushed.
Family Friday tickets do not need to be purchased in advance, though buying online ahead of time is always a good idea.
Stay for Sunset on Fridays and Saturdays
If you’re visiting on a Friday or Saturday, consider staying into the evening for one of Snowbowl’s most unforgettable summer experiences: Sunset Gondola Rides.
Every Friday and Saturday this summer, guests can ride to 11,500 feet and experience golden hour from the highest lift-served point in Arizona. As the sun sets over Northern Arizona, the views of Flagstaff, Sedona, the San Francisco Peaks, and the surrounding forests take on a whole new glow.
To make the evening even more memorable, add the Sunset Gondola Dining Package and enjoy dinner surrounded by mountain views and summer sunset skies. The Sunset Dinner Menu features hearty entrées like the Sunset New York Strip, Timberline Tortellini with grilled lemon shrimp, Monsoon Mahi Mahi, and Frontier Country Fried Chicken, with suggested cocktail pairings including the Outdoor Old Fashion, Aperol Spritz, Flagstaff 75, and Prickly Pear Moscow Mule.
It’s the perfect way to turn a day of family fun into a full mountain evening — ride the gondola, take in golden hour from 11,500 feet, and end the day with dinner in Arizona’s high country.
Plan Around Live Music & Summer Events
Snowbowl’s summer calendar adds even more reasons to visit. Enjoy free live music on Fridays and Saturdays, with music on the mountain from 11 AM to 3 PM and evening music at Basecamp from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
You can build a full day around the experience: ride the gondola, grab lunch, enjoy summer activities, listen to live music, and stay for sunset.
For the full summer lineup, visit snowbowl.ski/events.
Make It a Weekend with Basecamp at Snowbowl
Want to turn your Snowbowl day into a full Northern Arizona getaway? Stay at Basecamp at Snowbowl, the closest lodging to the resort.
Located at the bottom of Snowbowl Road, Basecamp is just 7 miles from Arizona Snowbowl and about 10 minutes from downtown Flagstaff, making it the perfect home base for exploring the mountain, downtown Flagstaff, the Grand Canyon, Sedona, and more.
This summer, Basecamp’s Ride Free promotion gives your whole crew free Scenic Gondola Ride tickets for every night you stay. Guests receive a coupon code at check-in that clears the cost of Scenic Gondola Ride tickets in the online cart.
It’s an easy way to add even more value to your summer trip.
Plan Your Family Mountain Day
From Scenic Gondola Rides and summit views to summer activities, live music, sunset rides, and Basecamp stays, Arizona Snowbowl is one of the best ways to have fun with your family in the mountains this summer.
Plan your visit, spend the day above the trees, and make summer memories at 11,500 feet.
