Photo by William Hawkes

When summer gets you down, stay above it on
two skis at these nearby scenic lakes.

Apache Lake
Tortilla Flat
928-467-2511
apachelake.com


Have boat, will ski. That’s the motto for Apache Lake, which doesn’t offer water-skiing boats for rent but instead offers a 17-mile-long stretch of wet runway for your skiing dreams. Surrounded by the Superstition Wilderness and the Three Bar Wildlife Area, the lake boasts ample hiking, fishing, wildlife-watching and camping spots (including beach camping). Pontoon boats ($25 per hour and up) and fishing boats ($10 per hour and up) are available for rent at the nearby marina and resort, which has been in Mesa’s Schuster family since 1974. Fees: $6 per vehicle, $4 per watercraft.


Bartlett Lake
Carefree
602-316-3378
bartlettlake.com


This is the best water-skiing spot in the northeast Valley. Bartlett Lake gets its water from the Verde River and is part of the reservoir system that waters the Valley. When full, its surface area is as big as Saguaro Lake and Canyon Lake combined – and in case you didn’t notice, this year’s precipitation levels were near biblical (by Arizona standards). Bartlett Lake is surrounded by Tonto National Forest and offers wildlife-watching, camping, cool rock formations and ample beaches. The marina rents eight-seat, 220-horsepower ski boats ($495 per day and up) and newish pontoon boats ($90 per hour and up). Fees: $6 per vehicle, $4 per watercraft.

Canyon Lake
Tortilla Flat
480-288-9233
canyonlakemarina.com


Just downstream from Apache Lake lies Canyon Lake, whose 28 miles of scenic shoreline are right off the old Apache Trail – and we do mean “old.” This antiquated portion of State Highway 88 includes narrow, hairpin turns and switchbacks, but the white-knuckle ride is worth it for the big reveal: sunset rays bouncing off the canyon walls. The marina rents small 90-horsepower ski boats ($90 per hour and up), pontoon boats ($80 per hour and up) and fishing boats ($25 per hour and up). Fees: $6 per vehicle, $4 per watercraft.


Saguaro Lake
Near Mesa
480-986-5546
saguarolakemarina.com


This very popular lake (read: busy) sits toward the bottom of the Valley’s reservoir system and plugs into the Salt River. Its 10-mile-long surface twists and turns around the rugged canyons and rolling desert hills of the Tonto National Forest, making it a great ride for skiers who like to carve their way through power turns and splash the buoys. The marina rents six-seat, 120-horsepower ski boats ($90 per hour and up), pontoons ($80 per hour and up), fishing boats ($25 per hour and up) and kayaks ($15 per hour and up). Of course, skiing behind a kayak will get you nowhere, but it will get you an occasional nod of respect. Finish strong with a burger or fish and chips at the marina restaurant. Fees: $6 per vehicle, $4 per watercraft.

Lake Pleasant
Morristown
602-372-7460
maricopa.gov/parks/lake_pleasant

There’s something for everyone at this northwest Valley lake: stargazing events, paddle-boating meetups, SCUBA-diving sessions, Easter egg hunts – but forget all that. We’re here to ski. Lake Pleasant is long and wide, fanning out from the marina and opening up as it crosses into Yavapai County. There’s a U.S. Coast Guard station there, and the Scorpion Bay Marina (whose restaurant is run by the same folks who run Dillon’s in the West Valley) has live music on Saturdays and heated patios if summer nighttime temps dip into the chilly 90s. Ski boats are available for rent ($90-110 per hour and up), as well as pontoons and kayaks. But please don’t ski too close to the lake’s Agua Fria Channel: Bald eagles are humping in the cove, and this is one of the species’ most productive spots in Arizona. The cove is off-limits until June 15. Fees: $6 per vehicle, $4 per watercraft.