Heading North? Places to Play in the Snow (Plus Safety Tips)
Valley residents flocking to the high country in search of snow often find treacherous roads, heavy traffic and frigid conditions (tonight’s low in Flagstaff will be in the single digits). What can be harder to find is a place to play in the snow.
The Flagstaff Convention & Visitors Bureau can help with that. The bureau’s website has a page about winter recreation and PDF map of snow-play areas in the region.
ADOT reminds drivers that it’s unsafe (and in most places illegal) to park along highway shoulders. The shoulders are needed for first responders (and you don’t want to be parked there when a snow plow passes through). Given the volume of traffic that sometimes funnels into Flag and the surrounding major and minor roads, prepare for worst-case, possibly long delays in cold and sometimes dangerous conditions. ADOT offers some tips:
In addition to the obvious winter coats, gloves and hats, bring blankets, bring a fully charged cellphone and portable charger, drinking water, snacks and essential medications, the agency advises. Fuel up fully, and tell someone where you are going. Other winter-travel essentials:
- First-aid kit
- Flashlight with extra batteries
- Ice scraper
- Bag of sand (or kitty litter) for wheel traction
- Shovel for snow removal
- Tool kit and battery cables
- Safety flares
More tips and links to travel advisories are here.