FLAGSTAFF, AZ (AZFamily) — This week’s storm brought snow to Flagstaff and many other areas across the High Country, just in time for the opening day at Arizona Snowbowl.
The popular ski and snowboarding destination was supposed to open Friday, but got moved up to Thursday afternoon. This doesn’t just impact Snowbowl, but also the businesses that rely on snow tourism.
Avid skiers and snowboarders have been waiting months to hit the slopes again. For local ski shops, the influx of tourists is also good for business.
Flagstaff woke up to a winter wonderland Thursday morning, with some areas getting up to an inch of snow. However, inside ski shops, employees were busy getting their ski and snowboard gear ready for the opening day of Snowbowl.
“There’s a lot that goes into it, just with you know, daily skies behind me and flipping our inventory completely,” Ski Haus owner Matt Schmiegall said.
Schmiegall said it’s been months in the making to get the store ready, but they’re excited to help people get back to shredding the slopes. “So just coming to people like ourselves that live, breathe, and this is our life,” he explained. “Skiing and snowboarding are something that we think about year-round.”
As for the skiers and snowboarders, they’re eager to get back on their boards. “I’m super excited, it’s pretty much all I look forward to,” shopper Kaden Earl said. “Best part of the year.”
Earl and Chandler Johns came into the shop looking for new gear for opening day. It’s their fourth year living in Flagstaff, and both have been chomping at the bit to get back on the slopes.
“I just think you should definitely come out,” Johns said. “You’re skiing in Arizona, so how can you really complain?”
The opening also boosts the local economy, but when snow is scarce, like last year, it can hurt business.
Schmiegall said they will get through all the ups and downs, because if the chair lift is spinning, they’re happy. “It doesn’t matter how much snow is on the ground or how much is on the resort,” he said. “Our love for what we do is enough to push us to give every single guest the best experience we can give.”
Schmiegall adds that at least 90 percent of their business comes from people visiting from out of town. So if you’re coming up to ski this weekend, check out some local businesses.
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