Strong gusts of wind delay the opening of the Arizona Snowbowl on New Years Day | Arizona News
FLAGSTAFF, AZ (3TV / CBS 5) – It was a little slow for the skiers on the morning of New Years Day. The Arizona Snowbowl had a delayed opening due to poor weather conditions and the wind in Flagstaff was so strong that every ski lift was closed.
“I think when you get to the mountain you know there’s a lot to do, so you just go with the flow,” said Kellie Kruger.
An inhospitable sight greeted the skiers in the morning as they made their way to the snowbowl. A sign warned them that the elevators were at a standstill.
“I’ve never been here when everyone is closed,” said skier Alexis Montano.
With gusts near 65 mph, Kyle Sawatzke, Snowbowl’s marketing coordinator, said this was a decision made solely on a safety basis.
The National Weather Service in Flagstaff says the peak gusts of wind at the Arizona Snowbowl have been nearly 70 mph for the past 24 hours.
“It’s not very common. This is a very rare situation, ”said Sawatzke. “It all depends on whether the wind is constant. When we see these high gusts, it also depends on the wind direction. Therefore we can drive the elevators in certain directions with higher gusts, but with north / north-west orientation all elevators have an effect. “
The weather forced skiers to wait for a New Year’s miracle.
“I’ll probably be stuck here for the next hour,” said skier Sean Godfrey.
“We’re trying to stay optimistic,” said skier Christeine Löwenhagen.
Skiers fulfilled their wish. At 10 a.m. Snowbowl was able to open some of its lifts and the skiers were delighted.
“The children were overjoyed when they opened Hart Prairie. They came over and said, ‘Mom, it’s open. Can we go? ‘”Said skier Kelly Kruger.
“It didn’t stay closed for long, maybe an hour late, but it’s worth it,” said skier Orien Montoya.
Snowbowl has 10 inches of snow overnight and over 34 inches for the past week. Skiers say the winter storm prepared them for the perfect New Year’s Day despite the delay in wind.
“We’re just happy to be up here,” said Hank Lazaro.
“It’s cold, but beautiful, and the snow is great,” said skier Jessica Tanner.
“That is picturesque; it’s really beautiful, ”said Löwenhagen.
Flagstaff sees the first significant snowfall of the season
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