Nestled In Mountains Is An Underrated Ski Resort Town Called The 'Switzerland Of Arizona'

Switzerland is magical. From charming villages to majestic snow-capped mountains to blue alpine lakes, it truly feels like a fairy tale. And for avid skiers, a legendary Swiss ski destination like Zermatt may be on your bucket list. But if you're not quite ready to pony up the money for a trip to this charming European destination, you might consider Greer, Arizona.

Now, the Grand Canyon State might be the last place that comes to mind when you're planning the perfect ski trip. But four hours from the oppressive dry heat of Phoenix is Arizona's White Mountains and the little resort town of Greer. The climate bears a striking resemblance to Switzerland's with lows in the teens or 20s and summer highs in the 70s. And thanks to its especially high elevation of 8,356 feet (the fifth highest in the country), this region offers endless winter sports during the cold months.

This area is home to Sunrise Ski Park, the largest ski resort in the state. Similar to Zermatt (on a lesser scale), the park is situated on three overlapping mountains: Sunrise Peak, Apache Peak, and Cyclone Circle. But aside from being cheaper, another thing Sunrise has going for it is that it has plenty of activities for people of all skill levels and ages. In addition to its 65 downhill runs that range from green to double black diamond, the park also features ski biking, a separate area for snowboarding, a terrain park for snowboarders, a children's "ski-wee" area, and snow tubing on the weekends. 

Plus, the impressive Sunrise Express High Speed Detachable Quad Chairlift can transport up to 16,000 skiers per hour. A recent family-friendly addition is the Sunrise Apache Alpine Coaster, which runs on weekends year round. It allows riders to control their own speed up to 25 mph down the winding 3,287 feet of mountain track. Riders can go it alone or experience the journey with a passenger on the same coaster cart.

Skiing is by no means the only thing Greer has to offer. No matter what time of year you visit, there are plenty of activities for the outdoor enthusiast. Most of the little town is nestled in the Apache-Sitegraves National Forest, which not only provides breathtaking scenery but also tons of top-notch hiking, biking, hunting, fly fishing, and birdwatching. During the warmer months, you can fly through the trees at up to 57 mph on Arizona's longest zip line, the Apache High Flyer, at Sunrise Ski Park. 

If that doesn't satisfy your inner daredevil, you can also choose from the 32-foot airbag jump or the 42-foot rock climbing wall. Greer Lodge Resort, named one of Sunset Magazine's Top 9 Hotels for Nature Lovers, can serve as the perfect home base for all of your outdoor activities. Each of their cozy log cabins are on or near the water, whether it be the Little Colorado River or one of the private catch-and-release trout ponds.