FLAGSTAFF, AZ — A fresh dusting of snow on the San Francisco Peaks has locals cheering and businesses preparing for what many expect to be a robust winter season. Arizona Snowbowl turned on its snowmaking equipment for the first time this year, ensuring the snow will linger on the western slopes while the sunnier south‑facing side retains a light cover.
Community reaction
Long‑time resident Vanessa Miller, who has called Flagstaff home for two decades, said the sight of snow‑capped peaks feels like a promise of change.
“It’s such a great feeling when you can start to feel the change in the air and the weather is coming,” Miller said. “It’s exciting to know that we’re going to get a good wet winter.”
Her optimism reflects a broader sentiment in the town: early snow is a sign that the strong El Niño developing in the Pacific may bring the extra moisture the region hopes for.
Local businesses gear up
Matt Schmidgall, owner of Ski Haus – a family‑run ski and snowboard rental shop – explained how the early snowfall is already influencing inventory decisions.
“We’re restocking shelves and getting rental gear ready as we gear up for Snowbowl to open,” Schmidgall said. “Just looking up at the peaks this very moment, and it’s white‑capped and beautiful. You know the monsoons have been kind of what everybody has predicted. That would lead into a super El Niño.”
Schmidgall noted that the past two winters were challenging due to low snow levels, which hurt tourism and, by extension, the local economy.
“It affects everybody,” he said. “Tourism would be done if we don’t have good snowfall, and we’re very dependent on rentals and daily packages for visitors.”
According to local estimates, snow‑related activities such as sledding, skiing, and simply enjoying the snow generate nearly $20 million for the Flagstaff economy in an average year. With the early snow, business owners are hopeful that this figure will rise.
Supporting local commerce
Schmidgall urged out‑of‑town visitors to shop locally, emphasizing the importance of mom‑and‑pop establishments to the town’s economic health.
“If you’re not from here, come check out our little mountain town and go to the mom and pop places,” he said. “Go to the … more local establishments.”
He added that travelers can enjoy the snowy scenery by heading west on Highway 180 or north on 89A to reach the less‑sunny sides of the peaks.
Looking ahead
While the early snow is a promising sign, officials and business owners alike caution that the full impact will depend on how the El Niño pattern evolves over the coming months. Nevertheless, the community’s spirit is buoyed by the sight of white‑capped mountains and the prospect of a thriving winter season for Flagstaff.
Original reporting: azfamily KTVK/KPHO Phoenix (news) — read the source article.
