Sunrise Park Resort

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sunrise Park Resort
Sunrise Panorama
Location:
Nearest city: Pinetop-Lakeside, Arizona
Top elevation: 11,100 feet (3,400 m)
Base elevation: 9,200 feet (2,800 m)
Skiable area: 800 acres ( km²)
Runs: 65 total
40% beginner
40% intermediate
20% advanced/expert
Longest run: 1.2 miles (1.93 km) "Sidewinder"
Lift system: 10 total 3 Quad chairs, 4 triple chairs, 1 double chairs, 2 Surface)
Terrain parks: 1
Snowfall: 250 in/year ( 6.35 m/year)
Snowmaking: yes
Web site: http://www.sunriseskipark.com

Sunrise Park Resort is a ski resort located near Greer, Arizona, close to the border with New Mexico. The resort consists of three mountains named Sunrise Peak, Cyclone Peak, and Apache Peak. Situated on the Colorado Plateau and perched atop the White Mountains in eastern Arizona, with a base of 9,200 feet (2,800 m) and spread across 3 peaks and 800 acres (3.2 km²), Sunrise tops out at 11,100 feet (3,400 m) above sea level at Apache Peak.

Contents

[edit] Ownership and location

It 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. During the winter, the resort's three mountains offer excellent alpine skiing. There are plenty of challenging runs for experienced skiers and an abundance of enjoyable intermediate runs. When Arizona experiences wet winters, which aren't all too uncommon, Sunrise provides as good of skiing as anywhere in the Southwest. Their ski season usually runs from December to March. Night skiing is occasionally offered in mid January and mid February. There is also a snowboard terrain park and separate cross-country skiing area.

Sunrise Park resort is a popular regional destination and is approximately 218 miles (351 km) from Phoenix, Arizona, 230 miles (370 km) from Tucson, Arizona, 250 miles (400 km) from Albuquerque, New Mexico, and 299 miles (481 km) from El Paso, Texas. The closest airports are located in Springerville, Arizona, Show Low, Arizona, and Whiteriver, Arizona.

[edit] Mountain statistics

[edit] Elevation

The ski area consists of three peaks:

  • Sunrise Peak (elevation 10,700')
  • Apache Peak (elevation 11,100')
    • Base: 9,200 feet (2,800 m)
    • Summit: 11,100 feet (3,400 m)
    • Vertical drop: 1,800 feet (2nd highest in Arizona)
  • Cyclone Circle (elevation 10,700')

[edit] Trails

View from mid-mountain Sunrise Peak looking north.  Volcanic cinder cones can be seen in the distance.
View from mid-mountain Sunrise Peak looking north. Volcanic cinder cones can be seen in the distance.
Easier More Difficult Most Difficult
31 17 14

The trails on the mountain have some sort of theme, such as Native American and Western names.

  • Skiable area: 800 acres (3.2 km²)
  • 65 trails
    • novice - 40%
    • intermediate - 40%
    • advanced and expert - 20%
  • Longest trail - 1.2 miles (1.9 km)

[edit] Lifts

High-speed quad chairlift on Sunrise Peak.
High-speed quad chairlift on Sunrise Peak.
Triple chairlift on Apache Peak.
Triple chairlift on Apache Peak.
Name Capacity Vertical
Spirit Ridge Quad Quad 3900'-550'
Sunrise High-Speed Quad High-Speed Quad 6800'-1400'
Rustler Quad Quad 3950'-875'
Fort Apache Triple Triple 5180'-620'
Cyclone Triple Triple 8000'-1165'
Eagle Feather Triple Triple 4000'-690'
Geronimo Triple Triple 4505'-1000'
Pony Double Double 295'-50'
Beginner Handle-Tow Single 350'-50'
Cyclone Handle-Tow Single 350'-50
  • 10 Total
    • 3 Quad Chairs
    • 4 Triple Chairs
    • 1 Double Chairs
    • 2 Surface Lifts
  • Uphill Capacity - 16,000 skiers per hour

[edit] Images

[edit] Trivia

  • Sunrise Park Resort is Arizona's largest ski resort, but not the highest vertical drop. That honor belongs to Arizona Snowbowl.
  • Sunrise Park Resort has been in operation for over 10 years.
  • Arizona's second highest peak, Mount Baldy, can be seen from Sunrise.

[edit] External links