Winter in the White Mountains 2026–27: Skiing, Snow & Events

Updated October 19, 2026 for the 2026–27 season.

Most of Phoenix thinks of the White Mountains as a summer escape. Winter might be the better trip. There's real snow, the cabins are cozy, and you can ski in the morning and sit by a fire all evening, about three hours from the East Valley.

What winter is actually like

Pinetop-Lakeside sits at about 6,800 feet. January highs average in the mid-40s, and the area gets around 70 inches of snow in a typical year. Storms come and go, so a week can include bluebird days and snowed-in days. Pack for both.

Skiing and snowboarding at Sunrise

Sunrise Park Resort is the big one in this part of Arizona, about 45 to 50 minutes from Lakeside near Greer. It's owned and run by the White Mountain Apache Tribe.

2026–27 opening: Sunrise lists an anticipated opening of November 28, 2026, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. It always depends on snow, so check before you drive.
Typical season: Thanksgiving through late March.
Worth knowing: last season Sunrise added 24 new snowmaking units, and kids 12 and under and seniors 75 and up skied free. Check whether that deal is back this year before you buy tickets.

Snow without the lift ticket

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing: the 200-plus-mile White Mountain Trail System doubles as a winter trail network. The Forest Service also lists Pole Knoll near Greer for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Sledding and tubing: the Forest Service lists Williams Valley near Alpine, farther east, as a snow-play area.
Just being in it: walk to Rainbow Lake, build a snowman, then thaw out in the massage chair. That counts.

Holiday events (early December 2026)

Pinetop-Lakeside Mayor's Tree Lighting and Christmas Fair: an annual early-December event at Jack Barker Memorial Park. The local events calendar lists it on December 4, 2026.
Show Low Christmas Light Parade: listed for Saturday, December 5, 2026, at 6 p.m., about 15 minutes from the cabin.

Event dates come from the local events calendar. Confirm with the organizer before you plan a trip around them.

Driving up in winter

Check AZ511 first. Big storms have closed Highway 260 and US 60 into the White Mountains before. az511.gov shows closures, cameras and conditions.
Seasonal closures: Highway 273 past Sunrise toward Big Lake closes for the winter. The road from Highway 260 to the ski area stays open.
Time it right: it's about 3 hours from Phoenix and the East Valley in good weather. Leave room for more when snow is falling.

Grumpy Toads in winter

Our cabin is built for this. There's a stone fireplace, a loft with a 75-inch TV, a PlayStation and a massage chair, and 4 bedrooms plus a bunk room for up to 10 people. One dog is welcome, so the family dog gets snow too. It backs a seasonal creek and is steps from a private community pond and Rainbow Lake, and Show Low's stores are 15 minutes away when you need supplies.

Grumpy Toads Getaway

4 bedrooms · sleeps 10 · one dog welcome · steps from Rainbow Lake. Book direct with us and skip the Airbnb service fee.

Check dates at Grumpy Toads

Common questions

When does Sunrise Park Resort open for the 2026–27 season?

Sunrise lists an anticipated opening of November 28, 2026, the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Opening always depends on snow and snowmaking, so check their site before you go. The season typically runs Thanksgiving through late March.

How far is Sunrise from Pinetop-Lakeside?

About 45 to 50 minutes from Lakeside, roughly 33 miles.

Do I need chains or 4WD to drive up in winter?

Storms can close Highway 260 and US 60, and Highway 273 past Sunrise closes for the season. Check az511.gov for conditions and closures before you leave the Valley, and give yourself extra time when snow is in the forecast.

How much snow does Pinetop-Lakeside get?

About 70 inches a year on average, with January highs in the mid-40s.

What is there to do in winter besides skiing?

Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on the White Mountain Trail System and at Pole Knoll near Greer, sledding and tubing at Williams Valley near Alpine, and early-December holiday events in Pinetop-Lakeside and Show Low.

More: Pinetop-Lakeside · Greer · Show Low

Sources

Drive times are typical, measured from the town or neighborhood, and change with traffic and weather. Event dates are as published when we wrote this; confirm with the organizer before you plan around them.