(42) Route 66 through Seligman, Flagstaff to Kingman Photos by Richard Maack

46 Christmastime at the Prescott Courthouse
Prescott
Prescott is described as Arizona’s Official Christmas City, and the domain name arizonachristmascity.net will even take you to the city’s homepage. (Kind of a shame for the town of Christmas, Arizona, but oh well.) The millions of lights decorating the area around Yavapai County Courthouse, plus carolers, Santa Claus and fireworks, may help hearken to chilly Christmases of old. The American Planning Association called Yavapai County Courthouse Plaza “a majestic, man-made urban forest in the heart of a historic commercial district” in naming it one of the “10 Great Public Spaces in America” for 2008.
Elevation: 5,400 feet
Directions: Take I-17 north toward Flagstaff. Take Highway 69 north toward Prescott. Take a slight left at Highway 89 and continue on Highway 89/Gurley Street. Turn left at Cortez Street. The courthouse will be on your left.
Driving Time: 1 hour, 39 minutes (99 miles)
Hours: Check prescott.org for a schedule of events.
Admission: Free
Lodging: arizonachristmascity.net
Info: prescott.org, arizonachristmascity.net

47 Build a Snowman Flagstaff
If you want to do your own thing, pack a top hat, charcoal, a carrot and your kids and head to Flagstaff for some snow play. Wing Mountain, located about three miles northwest of Arizona Snowbowl Road, has a $10 entrance fee for managed parking, access to restrooms, a concession stand with hot cocoa and even a place to buy sleds. Farther up Highway 180 is Crowley Pit. It’s free with the basics: parking and restrooms.
Elevation: 7,650 feet (Wing Mountain); 8,000 feet (Crowley Pit)
Directions: Take I-17 north to Flagstaff then Highway 180 past Arizona Snowbowl. Wing Mountain is located just before milepost 226. Turn left on Forest Road 222B and continue one mile to the parking area. (The exit is clearly marked “Wing Mountain Snow Play Area.”) To Crowley Pit, continue to milepost 233 and turn left at the parking sign.
Driving Time: 2 hours, 40 minutes (160 miles)
Hours: Wing Mountain, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily
Admission: Wing Mountain: $10; Crowley Pit: Free
Lodging: flagstaffarizona.org
Info: flagstaffarizona.org/playing_winter.html, fs.fed.us/r3/coconino/recreation/peaks/winter-rec-opportunities, snowplayaz.com
Travel Tip: There is no sledding, tubing or general snow play allowed in the Arizona Snowbowl ski area, and no parking along Snowbowl Road. Don’t even think about it – they’re serious about this.

48 Winterfest in Flagstaff Flagstaff
Want to skip the holiday rush? Consider a visit to Flagstaff any time during February, when the annual Winterfest features more than 100 events, including sled-dog races, slalom races at Arizona Snowbowl, snow sculptures and even a 60-band jazz festival. Food and arts are a given. If you’re feeling lucky, try your hand at the Snowball Slide. The quirky event, featured on NBC’s Today Show, involves thousands of numbered, plastic “snowballs” that spill from a concrete mixer. The first ball to the finish line wins $2,009 for the lucky person holding its number.
Elevation: 7,000 feet
Directions: Take I-17 north to Flagstaff. Events are held at various locations. Visit flagstaffarizona.org for maps and details.
Driving Time: 2.5 hours (144 miles)
Admission: Some events require tickets and/or registration. Visit flagstaff-
arizona.org for details.
Lodging: flagstaffarizona.org
Info: 928-779-7627 or flagstaffarizona.org

Get the 511
For instant updates on road conditions, including construction projects, accidents and lane restrictions, dial 511 from your cell phone.