See Snow in the Desert!

One of the beautiful things about Arizona is the variety in the landscape. Winters here are heaven for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Best of all, if you start to miss the snow, it's only a few hours away.

Whether you're a beginner or an expert skier, Arizona Snowbowl is a must-ski. Located in Flagstaff, just two hours from Phoenix, Snowbowl currently has 4 lifts and 7 groomed trails open. Don't have your own skis? Snowbowl has plenty of rentals. Accommodations vary if you'd like to stay for a few days. There are small cabins at base camp and plenty of Partner hotels in town. Flagstaff also has an adorable historic district brimming with restaurants and kitschy shops.

Prescott is just an hour and a half from Phoenix. Prescott Courthouse Square, or "the square" as the locals call it, is a quaint reminder of times when everything happened in the center of town. Sitting at the base of the old courthouse is a sprawling park where concerts, variety performers, and artists showcase their work. Walk around "the square" to visit local restaurants, bars, stores, and ice cream shops.

Greer, with its pristine views, has a full-time population of less than fifty people. Sunrise Ski Resort is located here, just seven miles from Greer Lodge. Greer also offers snow sledding and tubing, horse drawn carriage rides, and cross-country skiing. Looking to live out your Hallmark Christmas movie dreams? This small town is about as Winter Wonderland as you can get.

Williams, known best as the gateway to the Grand Canyon, is just outside Flagstaff and has some incredible views. If your kids were fans of the Cars movies, be sure to catch the main drag at night. Located on Route 66, there are 50s style diners and local shops with neon signs lighting the night sky. Pete's Gas Station Museum looks straight out of the 50s and has historical cars and plenty of fun facts about the era. For another peak at history, visit the Williams Depot. This train station has been restored to it's late 1800s glory and now services the Grand Canyon Railway. Taking the train from Williams to the Grand Canyon and back is a wonderful day trip. There is a ticket for every budget, but the higher class seats include bar service and morning and afternoon snacks.

With so many beautiful places to visit, you can see why Arizona's diverse landscape draws so many here. Now go make a snowman!

Photo credits: Planetware.com, Greer Lodge, and Prescott Downtown