The Arizona Snowbowl ski area reported 6 inches of fresh snow this holiday weekend, but the Flagstaff area still lags far behind average snowfall amounts this season.
Just how far behind?
So far this winter, the Flagstaff airport has received 18.8 inches of snow. The average by this time is 67 inches. Anecdotally, local business owners say they’ve taken a hit. But Meg Roderer with the Flagstaff Convention and Business Bureau said it’s hard to pin down exactly how much the economy has been affected.
“I’d say that it is a difference without the snow, because we are a winter wonderland. We are a snow destination,” she said. “So, it’s hard to say if it’s a giant difference, but there’s definitely a difference.”
There was a 7 to 8 percent drop in lodging occupancy in December and January, Roderer said, but stressed that when you factor in new hotels, the drop is more like 2 to 3 percent.
The National Weather Service says more snow is expected by the end of the week.
You can get a map of snow play areas at www.flagstaffarizona.org/winter-recreation/snowplay-map and get up-to-date information on snow conditions by calling (844) 256-SNOW.
