It’s been 75 years since a car engine-powered rope tow pulled the first skiers up a meadow known as Hart Prairie on the slopes of the San Francisco Peaks.  

Arizona Snowbowl celebrates its diamond anniversary with a most momentous achievement: the first snowmaking system on the mountain. A decade of lawsuits appears to be coming to an end, and the Flagstaff-area resort has been cleared to pump treated wastewater to the mountain and blow it out as artificial snow. Mountain officials say they plan to turn on the system some time this season.

Other improvements include two new conveyor belts in the beginner areas to reduce lift lines and streamline instruction. Some 134 acres of terrain has been graded and thinned over the summer, as well as expansion of the trail map with some new trails.

The resort owners invested in another Bombadier Snowcat this season – the fifth in four years -- in order to speed up grooming on trails and building terrain park features.

"With the new Snowcat and the work we've done on the trails to grade, smooth out and create a more consistent fall line, we'll be able to groom more of the ski area and do a better job in a shorter period of time," said Snowbowl's Dave Smith. 

In the base lodge, Snowbowl counts itself among the very few resorts that have a complete inventory of new Never Summer rocker snowboard gear for rent or sale.

Festivities for the 75th birthday kick off Feb. 1 for a 10-day celebration with torchlight parade, snowman-building contest, sunset skiing and snowboarding, and a number of trips down memory lane for past and present Snowbowl-ers.

Photo: Arizona Snowbowl /Facebook