Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
76
Powell makes it great for a houseboat vacation—reserve well in advance for a summer trip.
Houseboats provide all the comforts of home—toilets, showers, sleeping quarters, and full
kitchens—but in somewhat tighter quarters. Some of the larger houseboats have facilities
for up to a dozen people. You don't have to be an accomplished boater to drive one: House-
boats are easy to maneuver and can't go very fast. No boating license is required, but you'll
need to reserve your houseboat well in advance, especially in summer, and send in a sizable
deposit.
9
SKIING & SNOWBOARDING
The Southwest has some of the best snow skiing and snowboarding in the United States.
With most alpine areas above 10,000 feet and many above 12,000 feet, several ski areas
offer vertical drops of over 2,000 feet. Average annual snowfall ranges from 100 to 300
inches. Many areas, aided by vigorous snow-making efforts, open around Thanksgiving,
and most open by mid-December, making this a popular vacation spot around the holi-
days. As a result, you'll see a definite rise in hotel room rates in and around ski areas
during the holiday season. The ski season runs through March and often into the first
week in April.
Some of the best skiing in the region is at
Taos Ski Valley
(
&
575/776-2291;
www.
skitaos.org). Taos challenges skiers and snowboarders with plenty of vertical runs, and
beginners can take advantage of one of the best ski schools in the country. Nearby, the
resort town of
Angel Fire
Resort
(
&
800/633-7463
or 575/377-6401; www.angelfire
resort.com) offers interesting terrain and excellent facilities.
Red River
Ski Area
(
&
800/
331-7669
or 575/754-2223; www.redriverskiarea.com) is an excellent family mountain.
See chapter 8.
Arizona has a couple of decent ski areas: the
Arizona Snowbowl
(
&
928/779-1951;
www.arizonasnowbowl.com), outside Flagstaff, and
Sunrise Park Resort
(
&
800/772-
7669
or 928/735-7669; www.sunriseskipark.com), on the Apache Reservation outside
the town of McNary in the White Mountains. When it's a good snow year, Tucsonans
head up to
Mount Lemmon Ski Valley
(
&
520/576-1400
), the southernmost ski area
in the U.S. Snows here aren't as reliable as they are farther north, so be sure to call first
to make sure the ski area is operating. All ski areas in the region offer rentals and lessons.
Prices for an adult all-day ticket range from about $34 to $66.
Some of the best
cross-country skiing
in the region can be found at the Enchanted
Forest, near Red River, and in Chama, New Mexico (see chapter 10); and outside Flag-
staff, Arizona (see chapter 16). Other great areas in Arizona include Sunrise Park, outside
the town of McNary, at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon; in the White Mountains,
around Greer and Alpine; outside Payson, on the Mogollon Rim; and on Mount Lem-
mon, outside Tucson (see chapter 12). In Utah, head to Bryce Canyon National Park to
ski trails along the rim (see chapter 17).
5
10
TENNIS
Tennis is one of the most popular winter sports in the desert, and resorts all over
the region have courts. Although there may be better courts, none can match the views
you'll have from those at Enchantment Resort, outside Sedona. Other noteworthy
