Powder Alliance Tour 2014 (2/7): Arizona Snowbowl

Destination: Arizona Snowbowl, Flagstaff

Drive time: 6.5 hours from Wrightwood, CA, where Mountain High is located. An easy drive (Hwy 15 to Hwy 40 and you're there)

Lodging: Days Hotel. Not recommended. Has indoor pool and hot tub but it's somewhat run down and not the cheapest. No free breakfast. But it's just a mile or so down the road from the Foxglenn skate park, and first floor rooms have handy sliding doors to the parking lot. Next time we'll get a vacation rental that's walking distance to the fun downtown area.

The plan: left after work on a Thursday so we could ski Friday, since none of the Alliance resorts honor the free passes on Saturday.

The Arizona Snowbowl: easy to reach from town (I dropped off "the boys" and went back into town to do some thrift shop exploring since I only wanted to ski half day). Great vibe all over the ski hill, both with staff and other skiers/boarders. Good park features and advanced terrain; excellent area for beginners with wide open easy runs that are separated from the more advanced areas. They had a Family Friday special where it only costs $10 to ski from 2pm til closing. We will definitely make this a regular quick getaway in the future when they have good snow.

The town: we love Flagstaff! Microbreweries, street performers and drum circles, quaint shops, art galleries. A whole shop dedicated to different flavors of olive oil and balsamic vinegar with free tastings. What's not to love about a town like this? We were there for their First Friday Art Walk - perfect timing!