Mount Lemmon Ski Valley

The continental US’s southernmost ski hill, above Tucson.

A small ski hill topping out at 9,157 ft on Mount Lemmon, about an hour’s drive up from Tucson’s saguaros, with plenty of steeper runs for its size. It makes no snow and sells no season passes, so it only opens after big storms. The rest of the year the Sky Ride, fudge shop and Iron Door Restaurant keep it busy.

The mountain

Vertical drop

957 ft

Summit

9,157 ft

Skiable terrain

200 acres

Trails

21

Lifts

3

Average snowfall

180″ a year

Longest run

1.6 mi

Terrain mix

• Beginner 20%
• Intermediate 38%
• Advanced 42%

What’s here besides skiing

• Scenic lift rides

Holidays and events

2026–27 dates where they’re posted. “Usually” means the date follows past years. Confirm before you go.

• ChristmasDec 12–26, 6–10 pm

  Winterhaven Festival of Lights

  A Tucson neighborhood lights up for the 77th year. Walk, ride or take the drive-through nights.

• New Year’sDec 31 (annual)Usually

  New Year’s Eve at Hotel Congress

  Tucson’s big themed New Year’s Eve party across the hotel’s bars and stages.

Where to stay

• lodgeMount Lemmon Lodge

  Boutique lodge at 7,700 ft in Summerhaven with rooms, cabin rentals and a café.

  ~5 min drive
• hotelLoews Ventana Canyon

  Big resort in the Catalina foothills with a spa, pools and golf, close to the bottom of the Catalina Highway.

  ~1 hr 15 min drive
• hotelHotel Congress

  Historic downtown Tucson hotel with “haunted” rooms, Club Congress and several bars.

  ~1.5 hr drive
• innLodge on the Desert

  Old Pueblo-style boutique hotel in central Tucson with the Catalinas as a backdrop.

  ~1 hr 15 min drive

Rates are typical winter lows before taxes and fees, and change constantly. Book on the property’s own site.

Things to do

• Sky Ride · At the base

  A 30-minute chairlift ride up the ski slopes whenever it isn’t a ski day. Hop off to hike or take in the view.

• Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter · Next door

  The University of Arizona’s SkyNights stargazing program on the summit. Book ahead.

• Mt. Lemmon Cookie Cabin · ~5 min

  Giant cookies and pizza in Summerhaven, the traditional stop on the way down.

• Windy Point Vista · ~35 min

  Hoodoo-studded overlook on the Catalina Highway with a wide view over Tucson.

• Sabino Canyon · ~1 hr

  Desert canyon trails at the foot of the Santa Catalinas, an easy add-on to a mountain day.

Après and nightlife

• Iron Door Restaurant

  Ski Valley’s own restaurant, known for Iron Door chili and fresh-baked cornbread.

• Hotel Congress

  Downtown Tucson landmark with Club Congress, Tiger’s Tap Room and live music.

Getting there

• Tucson International (TUS) · about 1 hr 30 min drive
• Tucson · about 1.25 hr
• Phoenix · about 2.75 hr

Directions in Google Maps