SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The “chilly” weather at this week's WM Phoenix Open highlighted the metro's typically mild climate. Normally, those participating in the chaos at the 16th hole often wear tank tops, shorts, and flip-flops, but this week, with rain and temperatures dropping, they are wearing winter gear. Some donned fluffy coats and ski caps to watch the world's greatest competition. players.
But at its core, this popular event is known for its sunshine and blue skies, giving many across the United States and the world the impression that Arizona is all about wall-to-wall saguaros and overwhelming heat. is given. But the Grand Canyon State boasts some of the most fascinating and diverse ecosystems in the country.
For example, while athletes began the first round at TPC Scottsdale on Thursday, students in the mountain town of Flagstaff, just 140 miles to the north, were forced into action for the second straight day after a series of storms hit. was enjoying a snowy day.
From this, we thought of the following. I was wondering if I could go to Arizona Snowbowl, a ski area in Flagstaff, and get back in time to see the afternoon activities at WMPO?I decided to give it a try.
Here's what happened that day:
WM Phoenix Open sign on Route 101 in Scottsdale.
For years, traveling from Phoenix to Flagstaff meant trudging through the city and rushing north on Interstate 17, a precarious road that traverses multiple mountain ranges and valleys.
I lived here in the 1990s and 80s, and there was no Beltway yet. Well, the ride from the suburbs bypasses the city entirely, and from a friend's house in the southeastern suburbs of Gilbert, I take Waze through Scottsdale and past open grounds. Despite rushing by at 4:49am, the signage was bright and directing patrons to the various sections.
When more than 200,000 people head to a golf tournament that day, parking becomes a top priority.
A sign at the intersection of Routes 101 and 17 in north Phoenix.
A little backstory: When I worked at Flagstaff Newspapers, arizona daily sun) A few decades ago, several students at Northern Arizona University mentioned a “double ski day” where they would hit the slopes in the morning, then drive down the mountain and waterski in the afternoon. That thought had been festering in my brain for a long time since I left the states – and that was the beginning of this journey.
By the time we reached the intersection of Highway 101 and Interstate 17 north of Phoenix, the temperature had already dropped a few degrees to 46 degrees (according to our rental property). I was prepared for this to be a battle as temperatures usually drop from there.
And if the whipping winds and rugged hills just north of Phoenix weren't enough to indicate that I was about to endure an intense experience when passing freeway signs.Bloody Basin Road” and the contract was finalized.
The drive from Gilbert to Flagstaff (Thursday) was interesting. pic.twitter.com/vtk02sXYY9
— Tim Schmidt (@TMSGolfweek) February 9, 2024
After descending the Bradshaw Mountains (past the always intriguing mountains) Arcosanti) Then descending into Sedona's valley, Interstate 17 begins to climb again at a rapid pace. By the time we reached Stoneman Lake Road, the road was covered with scattered fluffy white snow, softened by the wind blowing back and forth along the pavement.
Because so many tourists pass through the area (many of them to trek to the Grand Canyon), there are a lot of out-of-state license plates, and those people are driving in the snow. Often frightened. This means that there is often a long line of cars in the right lane behind the snowplow. White knuckle time.
Snow is piling up on the benches outside Macy's, a popular coffee shop in Flagstaff. (Photo: Tim Schmidt/Golfweek)
By the time we got to town, the tables outside my favorite coffee shop, Macy's, were covered in about two feet of snow. By the time I arrived, downtown was like a snow globe, quiet and pristine.
I drove a few blocks north of downtown to the house of my old friend and Arizona Daily Sun photographer Jake Bacon. He gave me a little insight. For the record, I went up Bacon's trail and he said he couldn't go down the same way because he couldn't stop on the ice. Shortly after shooting this short video, a truck honked its horn as it skidded past on the glass road.
my old friend jake bacon @AZDailySun Let's talk about the weather in Flagstaff. pic.twitter.com/wFBtK5duVJ
— Tim Schmidt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
The drive to Snow Bowl was crowded. pic.twitter.com/E8bJc2GgkC
— Tim Schmidt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
With school canceled, families went out en masse (we have to find some way to keep the kids occupied), causing traffic jams heading into the mountains. The lodge is about 11 miles off the main road and there were huge lines for both rentals and tickets. The season may be a little shorter in Flagstaff than the major resorts in Colorado or those to the east, but once the white stuff starts falling, business booms.
This employee explained:
Snowbowl employee. “This doesn't happen every day, but it's typical.” pic.twitter.com/vLhpdOQXKZ
— Tim Schmidt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
The snow got heavier with each run, and on a perfect day the powder was fresh and fluffy. Snowbowl's elevation is 2,300 feet, which is comparable to, say, the Arapahoe Basin outside of Denver.
perfect powder. pic.twitter.com/pfZ3U3nz9e
— Tim Schmidt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
After making a fool of myself by falling over and over on a few runs in picture-perfect conditions, I hang up my rental skis and watch the first day's competition at TPC Scottsdale end. I went back for it. It would have been great to have a little more time in the mountains, but I was heading home before I was done playing.
The trip was exhilarating, but the return trip was downright terrifying. It snowed heavily for the first 30 miles out of Flagstaff, causing several cars to slide off the highway and into the median. I was lucky enough to have a four-wheel-drive truck, but many of the small cars I passed clearly had trouble navigating the snow and ice. Apparently this road was closed shortly after I passed it.
This is one of the cars that fell off the highway. pic.twitter.com/KeeK9ByGrc
— Tim Schmidt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
return ride @tpccottsdale It was even hairier. pic.twitter.com/OCYBdMpPgc
— Tim Schmidt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
Rain wreaked havoc on the opening round of play, so I had a little time to get back to the Scottsdale area and watch the end of the day's games.
photographer Cheryl Evans of the Arizona Republic was standing by the 16th green and took this video just before the horn sounded to restart play. My thoughts on the day are as follows.
And finally. Return to 16. Thank you for following us. pic.twitter.com/UgKaPZU2eq
— Tim Schmidt (@TMSGolfweek) February 10, 2024
