Mt. Lemmon Ski Valley is the southernmost ski area in the continental United States, near the 9,157-foot summit of Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Ranger District of Coronado National Forest, Arizona. It runs about an hour's drive from Tucson, climbing from desert to pine forest. The chairlift operates year-round, and the ski season runs roughly mid-December through early April when snow allows.
Details
- Type
- Point of Interest
- Elevation
- 9,157 ft
- Season
- Winter, Spring, Summer, Fall
- Permit
- Required
- Address
- AZ
Overview
The ski area sits high in the Santa Catalina Mountains above Tucson, operated under a special-use permit on the Coronado National Forest. Downhill skiing and snowboarding run when snow allows, generally mid-December into early April. The rest of the year the chairlift carries sightseers for views over the Santa Catalinas and the valleys below. On site there are equipment rentals, lessons, and the Iron Door Restaurant, and the village of Summerhaven nearby adds more dining and lodging.
Getting there
From Tucson, take Tanque Verde Road to the Catalina Highway and climb the mountain road about 26 miles to the Ski Valley turnoff, then follow Ski Run Road the last mile. The drive gains thousands of feet, so temperatures at the top run much cooler than in Tucson. Heavy snow can close the road or require chains or four-wheel drive, so check the Pima County road-condition hotline at (520) 351-3351 before heading up.
Know before you go
Snow cover varies year to year, so confirm what is open before a winter trip. The season and lift schedule shift with conditions, and summer and fall are popular for the chairlift rides and the cooler air.