The Peaks are also home to the Arizona Snowbowl, a beacon to snow-starved Southwest ski bums, who flock to Flagstaff for excellent downhill and cross-country skiing. Many families from the southern parts of the state bring their families up just to see some snow and play in a seasonally-appropriate setting during the holidays. Let's face it, Santa sweating it out in a mall in Peoria just doesn't have quite the same magical impact as he does waving from an antique train in the falling snow.

Flag (as the locals call it) is a hub of fabulous outdoor activity year round, from short hikes to take in the amazing shimmer of the golden aspens in the fall to longer treks through the cool, pine forest high country. Trails at Walnut Canyon and Wupatki bring you into close contact with the ruins of ancient civilizations, and Sunset Crater National Monument shows off the aftermath of a volcanic eruption that changed the landscape here only 900 years ago. The city of Flagstaff itself boasts a unique urban "trail" system that offers opportunities to immerse yourself in nature just minutes away from virtually any point in the city.




If you've had enough of the Great Outdoors at this point in your Northern Arizona trip, Flag offers arguably the hippest urban core of any city in the state. Full of quirky boutiques, bohemian coffeehouses, bookstores, music stores and top-notch restaurants, downtown Flagstaff provides plenty of city living at its best. There's a lively music scene here, as well as more microbreweries than you can shake a souvenir pint glass at.