FLAGSTAFF (AZFamily) \u2014 Spring break is here in Arizona for public universities and lots of high schools. Students and families are taking advantage of the week off and the nice but unseasonably warm temperatures across the state. <\/p>\n
The High Country offers slightly cooler temperatures than in the valley and access to hiking, skiing, and national parks. <\/p>\n
Flagstaff sits at 7,000 ft, tucked into the pine trees with expansive mountain views.<\/p>\n
The weather this time of year is usually a gamble for spring breakers, but Ryan Randazzo with Discover Flagstaff said recent storms have left some snow on the peaks and great temperatures in town.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hasn\u2019t been the snowiest winter, but we still have more than 40 inches of a base at Arizona Snow Bowl,\u201d Randazzo said. \u201cSo it\u2019s a great time to get up there and enjoy some sunny days on the slopes, and the weather here is just perfect. It\u2019s still about 20 degrees cooler than Metro Phoenix and Tucson.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said the above-average temperatures make it perfect for outdoor adventure junkies.<\/p>\n
\u201cA little unusual for this time of year, but our trails are mostly open and snow-free at the lower elevation,\u201d Randazzo said.<\/p>\n
For those who want a more relaxing retreat there is plenty of shopping and local spots to eat at.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn addition to our 200 restaurants, we\u2019ve got 8 award-winning craft breweries,\u201d Randazzo said. \u201cAnd this time of year, with our unseasonably warm weather, is actually a pretty nice time to be out on the patio here in Flagstaff.\u201d<\/p>\n
Flagstaff is also a two hour drive or less from 9 national parks and monuments. The Grand Canyon is the most popular one, but for those looking to skip the lines, national monuments like Walnut Canyon are the way to go.<\/p>\n
Alex Stork was visiting from Michigan and said you don\u2019t get views like this in the Midwest.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s nothing as high as this,\u201d Stork said. \u201cIt\u2019s beautiful out here. Easy, simple, I actually got a lifetime pass today.\u201d<\/p>\n
Outside of Flagstaff, people can hike in Sedona and then visit a spa. You could walk down classic Route 66 in Williams before stopping at Bearizona. Plus, for those don\u2019t mind an easy two hour drive, they can hit Antelope Canyon, Lake Powell, and Horseshoe Bend all in one day up in Page.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can\u2019t beat Northern Arizona,\u201d Stork said.<\/p>\n
More information on actives to do in and around Flagstaff can be found at Discover Flagstaff\u2019s website.<\/a><\/p>\n See a spelling or grammatical error in our story? Please click here to report it<\/a>.<\/p>\n