Sunrise Park Resort


Sunrise Park Resort is an alpine ski resort located near Greer, Arizona. The resort consists of three mountains named Sunrise Peak, Cyclone Circle, and Apache Peak. Situated on the Colorado Plateau and perched atop the White Mountains in eastern Arizona. The base of the resort sits at and the tallest mountain, Apache Peak, tops out at an elevation of above sea level. The ski slopes spread across the 3 peaks and cover, making it the largest ski resort in Arizona.
WWW sunriseskiparkaz.com

Ownership and location

Sunrise Park Resort is owned and operated by the White Mountain Apache Tribe, and is located on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. The resort is a year-round recreation destination and offers a wide range of outdoor activities.
Sunrise Park Resort is a popular regional destination and is approximately from Phoenix, Arizona, from Tucson, Arizona, from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and from El Paso, Texas. The closest airports are located in Springerville, Arizona, Show Low, Arizona, and Whiteriver, Arizona.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Sunrise Park Resort has a warm-summer mediterranean continental climate, abbreviated "Dsb" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded at Sunrise Park Resort was on June 27, 2002 and June 20, 2016, while the coldest temperature recorded was on January 4, 1972.

Winter

The ski season at Sunrise Park Resort usually runs from Thanksgiving through the end of March. During the winter, the resort's three mountains offer alpine skiing. Night skiing is offered around Christmas and on holiday weekends in January and February. There is also a snowboard terrain park, separate cross-country skiing area, and a snow tubing hill.

Ski bikes

Ski biking is a bicycle-like frame with skis instead of wheels. The sport is offered for beginners and experienced individuals at Sunrise. They offer both lessons and rentals for ski biking and the lift system allows for ski bikers to ride the lift up the mountain. First-time ski bike riders at Sunrise require a safety certification by the ski bike staff prior to loading the lifts, regardless of their experience or personal equipment to ensure the safety of themselves and other visitors.

Lessons and rentals

Sunrise offers rentals of skis, snowboards, boots, poles, and winter clothing for all sizes and all ages at the rental shop at the base of Sunrise Peak. Ski School is offered for all ages and allows first-time skiers or snowboarders to learn in a group setting or one-on-one with an instructor. Some lessons are offered for a half-day and others are an entire day. Sunrise also offers improvement lessons for experienced skiers or snowboarders to improve their skills.

Mountain statistics

Elevation

The ski area consists of three peaks:
  • Sunrise Peak
  • Apache Peak
  • * Base:
  • * Summit:
  • * Vertical drop: 1,800 feet
  • Cyclone Circle

Trails

The trails on the mountain have some sort of theme, such as Native American and Western names.
  • Skiable area:
  • 67 trails
  • * Beginner – 31 trails
  • * Intermediate – 19 trails
  • * Advanced/Expert – 14 trails
  • * Advanced/Expert – 3 trails
  • Longest trail – "Lonestar"

Lifts

Summer

The summer season at Sunrise Park Resort usually runs from Memorial Day weekend through September or October, depending on weather and other factors. Sunrise offers several summer activities, including downhill mountain biking, scenic chairlift rides, a zip line course, a tubing hill, a rock climbing wall, hiking, and 3D archery.

Mountain bike trails

There are 22 mountain bike trails, and an array of side trails. The trail system is primarily located on Sunrise Peak, with one trail traveling over to Apache Peak and Cyclone Circle. All trails converge at the base of Sunrise Peak, where riders can load on the Sunrise Express or the Spirit Ridge to access the trails.
  • Easy – 6 trails
  • Intermediate – 3 trails
  • Difficult – 8 trails
  • Expert – 5 trails

Trivia

  • Sunrise Park Resort is Arizona's largest ski resort and Summer outdoor adventure park.
  • Sunrise Park Resort has been in operation since 1970.
  • One of Arizona's highest peaks, Mount Baldy, can be seen from Sunrise.
  • Sunrise Park Resort currently offers the only lift-served downhill mountain biking available in Arizona.
  • Sunrise Park Resort is home to Arizona's longest zip line with their tandem Apache High Flyer, measuring over 2300'.