Which has more snow Showlow or Pinetop, AZ (Flagstaff, Show Low: rentals, hotel)

[hopkinsinaz]

Looking to take kids to snow Feb 9-12- want to make sure the place actually has snow. Which is better for snow play (not skiing) showlow or pinetop? They look very similar on a map, but I want our cabin to be in the snow. Don't want to go to snowplay, (Flagstaff)- AZ too busy & not a great varity of cabins for rent- only hotel rooms. Thx for your help.

[observer53]

They are right next to each other, so there may not be much difference in terms of which is best/which has more snow. It seems like Pinetop/Lakeside has a little more of the cabin type lodging, but either could work. Hopefully there will be some fresh snow before you go!

[hopkinsinaz]

Have you been there? Which is closer to sledding hills? Are there any well known hills with bathrooms or do you just pull off somewhere? Other then snowplay- don't plan to leave cabin much so don't care what elese is around. Thx

[observer53]

Have been there, but not to go sledding. If you don't get an answer here, maybe call a sporting goods or outdoor store up there and get some ideas.

[teddyearp]

Pinetop hands down will have more snow. Show Low is about 6300' while Pinetop is higher at, near or maybe over 7000'. I was reminded of two places with cabin rentals with my quick google search. Whispering Pines and Moonridge Lodge. Whispering Pines is further up the mountain. You might be able to find some cabin rentals in the Pinetop Country Club area as well.

There's a 'quicky' sledding spot in Show Low across from the Denny's west of Wal-Mart on the south side of Hwy 260, but I doubt you will want to sled there. There's a few more further east from Pinetop east on Hwy 260. One that comes to mind is about a mile east on Hwy 260 east of the Hwy 273 (Sunrise Park) cutoff. It's on the south side of the highway. But you could probably go towards Sunrise Park and find some sledding there as well.

But, you should check conditions up there before you leave, just in case.

Enjoy!

[observer53]

Originally Posted by teddyearp

Pinetop hands down will have more snow. Show Low is about 6300' while Pinetop is higher at, near or maybe over 7000'. I was reminded of two places with cabin rentals with my quick google search. Whispering Pines and Moonridge Lodge. Whispering Pines is further up the mountain. You might be able to find some cabin rentals in the Pinetop Country Club area as well.

There's a 'quicky' sledding spot in Show Low across from the Denny's west of Wal-Mart on the south side of Hwy 260, but I doubt you will want to sled there. There's a few more further east from Pinetop east on Hwy 260. One that comes to mind is about a mile east on Hwy 260 east of the Hwy 273 (Sunrise Park) cutoff. It's on the south side of the highway. But you could probably go towards Sunrise Park and find some sledding there as well.

But, you should check conditions up there before you leave, just in case.

Enjoy!

Thanks for that info. Having driven between the two several times, I can say the 7-800 foot elevation change is not something that's easy to detect as you drive, as it's relatively gradual. As you get further into Pinetop, though, the forest you can see from the road gets deeper.

Hope there's good snow for the OP!

[teddyearp]

Originally Posted by observer53

Thanks for that info. Having driven between the two several times, I can say the 7-800 foot elevation change is not something that's easy to detect as you drive, as it's relatively gradual. As you get further into Pinetop, though, the forest you can see from the road gets deeper.

Hope there's good snow for the OP!

Yes, it is pretty gradual. I used to live on Poplar Drive, near (I think) the historical center of Pinetop, since IIRC the original post office was run by a fellow named Phipps; there's a Phipps drive in my old mini neighborhood. The Circle-K on Hwy 260 across from there is nick-named "Last Chance".

But if you are going back to the west on Hwy 260 from say the Game and Fish Dept office just up the hill from where I used to live, there is a view that always took my breath away right at about Pine Lake road. From that vantage you look over a lot of the 'mountain' and from there it doesn't look gradual at all.

But, I rambled, I too hope the OP has a good time and finds what it seeked for.

[hopkinsinaz]

Thanks everyone! Pinetop it is!!

[fennec2009]

Originally Posted by teddyearp

One that comes to mind is about a mile east on Hwy 260 east of the Hwy 273 (Sunrise Park) cutoff. It's on the south side of the highway.

I sledded there when I went to Greer in late November of 2011! It was the only place around that had snow since it was so early in the season. It's not a huge hill but is pretty steep and you get going pretty fast with a running start. I think it's right by some high tension wires and there's a parking lot at the bottom with some pit toilets to help in locating the hill.

[teddyearp]

Originally Posted by fennec2009

I sledded there when I went to Greer in late November of 2011! It was the only place around that had snow since it was so early in the season. It's not a huge hill but is pretty steep and you get going pretty fast with a running start. I think it's right by some high tension wires and there's a parking lot at the bottom with some pit toilets to help in locating the hill.

Ding, ding, ding! Yes, that's the place.