December in Scottsdale... Need we say more?

Come to Arizona this winter! Where else can you play golf and snowboard IN THE SAME DAY?!? Read on for Arizona winter vacation tips for Flagstaff, Sedona, Prescott and Scottsdale, including ideas on annual events, what to do, what to pack and typical weather and temperatures for each area.

Flagstaff

Top Reasons to Visit in Winter:

• Skiing and snowboarding! From the time the first snow hits in early December through about March, the Arizona Snowbowl located above Flagstaff on Mount Humphries is abuzz with skiers and snowboarders, locals and tourists, families and individuals.
• The fewest crowds of the year at the Grand Canyon South Rim (the North Rim is closed in the winter.) Picture the Grand Canyon dusted with white – spectacularly peaceful.

What to Pack

As with any snowy destination, a warm coat, boots, hat and gloves are a safe bet. To manage the temperature swing as you move from outdoors in, be sure to wear layers you can peel off and put back on as needed. Expect high temperatures in the 40s and lows in the teens. Flagstaff receives annual snowfall of approximately 99.5 inches – truly a winter wonderland.

Area Events

Be sure to participate in the handful of area holiday events like the Holiday Lights Display at the Little America Hotels; a tour of Riordan Mansion, adorned in turn-of-the-century decor and fragrant boughs; the Grand Canyon Railway’s “Polar Express” from Williams (an easy 39 miles west of Flagstaff) and more.

Flagstaff Winter Weather

Sedona

Top Reasons to Visit in Winter

• The fewest crowds of the year, red rocks dusted with white, but very little snow on the ground in town which makes driving and other outdoor activities easily do-able.
• Sedona’s winter weather still hits relatively warm highs of the mid-50s and 60s with chilly evenings perfect for sitting at your bed & breakfast’s fireplace.
• You can golf and ski in the same day! Play golf at one of Sedona’s picturesque golf courses in the morning, and hit the slopes north of Flagstaff – just 60 minutes away – in the afternoon.

What to Pack

Pack your camera and be sure to take photos of Sedona and Oak Creek covered in ice and snow… at about 5,000 feet in elevation, Sedona is beautiful in winter. Layers are the way to go with long pants, long-sleeved shirts and sweaters, fleece pullovers or sweatshirts. You may want a light jacket as a top layer. Shoes or boots are the best choice of footwear.

Things to Do

There are relatively few visitors to Sedona in the winter months, but there’s no reason to stay away! In fact, Sedona couldn’t be better when you have the destination practically all to yourself! Do spend your holidays in Sedona… let the hosts of a quaint Sedona bed & breakfast wow you with festive decorations, food and hospitality. Be sure to participate in the handful of holiday events like the Red Rock Fantasy festival of lights, the lighting of 6,000 luminarias at Tlaquepaque, Christmas caroling, or the Verde Canyon Railroad’s Santa Claus-themed train ride (in Clarkdale; 23 easy miles southwest of Sedona) and more.

Sedona Winter Weather

Prescott

Top Reasons to Visit in Winter

• Prescott is known as Arizona’s Christmas City, so winter visitors will delight in seeing the white granite courthouse sparkling in snow and twinkling lights.
• With gentle snowfall averages of 5 – 6 inches per month in December, January and February, Prescott is an ideal winter playground. Winter visitors can anticipate average high/low temperatures of 55/22 in December, 51/21 in January and 54/24 in February.
• January and February are a great time to come to Prescott. The crowds are fewer and there are some great lodging deals to be had.

What to Pack

Be sure to pack for winter weather, including thin, warm layers and a waterproof outer layer. You’ll want boots or shoes with a decent tread to allow you to walk around downtown or even do some light hiking in safety and warmth.

Things to Do

There are plenty of days filled with sunshine and crisp temperatures, an ideal combination for hiking, mountain biking or riding your motorcycle up to Jerome and Sedona. Nearly every weekend year-round, visitors and locals delight in the incredible special events in Prescott. Prescott is becoming known as a special events city, largely due to a month’s worth of December events in Prescott, “Arizona’s Christmas City,” including a huge annual Christmas Parade, lighting the tree on Courthouse Plaza, the Acker Musical Showcase, and “Dickens of a Christmas,” and continuing weekends packed with music, art, food, cultural, and car and aeronautical festivals on Courthouse Square.

Prescott Winter Weather

Scottsdale-Phoenix

Top Reasons to Visit

• Weather! Scottsdale’s winter weather is the stuff of legends. 75 degree, sunny, perfect days are the norm – quite the welcome respite from Midwestern snow drifts and Nor’Easters.
• Signature annual events are parties such as the P.F. Chang’s Rock n’ Roll Marathon, the Barrett-Jackson Classic Car Auction, the Phoenix Open and other golf tournaments, and many, many more. Participate or spectate; either way, you’re almost guaranteed to have a great time and return to work with a tan

What to Pack

Locals take the winter months as an opportunity to dig out sweaters and boots, but you’ll be happy to leave those at home and pack shorts, pants, short sleeves and light layers (and don’t forget a swimsuit and coverup!). Expect crisp mornings, sunny, warm afternoons and chilly evenings that will have you adding and subtracting layers all day long. Scottsdale – though an upscale resort town – rarely requires anything more than casual “resort wear” attire.

Things to Do

In addition to the aforementioned annual events, believe it or not, you’ll probably want to log some time at your resort or hotel’s pool or (better yet) spa. Take time to stroll around Old Town Scottsdale, for kitschy souvenirs to fine art; you can spend an afternoon shopping and peeking in galleries, grabbing meals at some top-notch eateries. Check out Scottsdale Fashion Square for luxurious and upscale retail therapy, or (need we say it?) play 18 or 36 holes at one of the 100 area championship golf courses.

Scottsdale Winter Weather

Tickets are now available for the Grand Canyon Railway’s enormously popular The Polar Express for its ninth season.  Based on the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, this Christmastime attraction will run in 2009 and early 2010 on selected dates from November 13, 2009 through January 9, 2010.  Tickets for The Polar Express sell out quickly, so be sure to reserve your tickets for 2009 now, available exclusively at 1-800-THE-TRAIN  or on the Grand Canyon Railway website, www.thetrain.com.

• November 13-15, 19-23, 25, 27-30, 2009
• December 2-7, 9-14, 16-23, 2009
• January 2-3, 8-9, 2010
  

  Santa visits with those who Believe on the Polar Express. Photo credit: Philms on flickr.com

Don't miss the 2008 Tlaquepaque Festival of Trees Nov 28 - Dec 6

Over 25 Christmas trees will be elaborately ornamented by some of Sedona’s favorite artists including Andrea Smith, Lisa Danielle, Rod Bearcloud, Chris Navarro, Robert Shields, and John Soderberg and displayed on the upper terrace overlooking Patio del Norte.  Silent bids will be taken on each art inspired tree—some six footers and the smaller tabletop faux trees.  Proceeds will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Arizona and the Chameleon Project in Sedona.

The “Festival of Trees” will run November 28th, 2008 until December 6th.  During this period, the Christmas trees-turned-art will be on display and can be viewed and bid on.

Tlaquepaque Arts & Crafts Village is located at 336 Highway 179 in Sedona, AZ.  The event will take place on the upper terrace overlooking Patio del Norte.

Final Weekend Schedule, December 5th, 6th & 7th:

• Friday evening, December 5th, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: “Meet the Artists”, cocktails, hot hors d’oeuvres with full bar. $25.00 per person. Call (928-282-3101) for tickets.
• Saturday, December 6th from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.: Sedona’s Imagine Art, “the Pottery Painting & Gallery”, will be set up, complete with pottery kiln in Patio del Norte. Create seasonal decorations using vibrantly colored paints on a wide variety of bisqueware pottery.
• Santa Claus who is paying a special Tlaquepaque visit for the occasion.
• Sedona’s own Eric Miller, master guitarist, will be performing live from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m.
• Sunday, December 7th. 4:15 pm Christmas Tree winners announced based on highest bids.

For additional information please contact Mally Paquette, the event coordinator, at 772-643-2742. Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

The 2007-2008 run of the Grand Canyon Railway’s popular Polar Express has come to a close. If you missed it, don’t make the same mistake twice – book your 2008 tickets now. Grand Canyon Railway has made very-advance tickets available for the 2008 production of this classic holiday tale come to life.

2008 Polar Express dates:

• Nov 6-10
• Nov 12-17
• Nov 19-27
• Nov 30-Dec 1
• Dec 3-8
• Dec 10-15
• Dec 17-22

For reservations and more information, please visit
www.thetrain.com

Tickets are still available for the Grand Canyon Railway’s fervently popular The Polar Express in its seventh season.  Based on the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, this seasonal attraction runs this year on selected dates from November 2 through January 12, 2008.  The Polar Express is a fast sell-out so be sure to reserve your tickets for 2007 now, available exclusively at 1-800-THE-TRAIN  or on the Grand Canyon Railway website, www.thetrain.com.

What if you can’t get your desired 2007 dates?  Start planning for next year; 2008 Polar Express dates have been released:

• Nov 6-10
• Nov 12-17
• Nov 19-27
• Nov 30-Dec 1
• Dec 3-8
• Dec 10-15
• Dec 17-22

Photo source: www.thetrain.com Grand Canyon Railway Polar Express

A classic Christmas story comes to life on the Grand Canyon Railway’s Polar Express. Here, we’ve collected information about the Polar Express into a handy fact sheet. (Information source: www.thetrain.com)

What is The Polar Express?

Experience the magic of The Polar Express™, the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg. The Polar Express comes to life when the train departs the Williams Depot for a journey through the dark and quiet wilderness for a special visit to the “North Pole.” Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while listening to the magical story. Watch the joy on the children’s faces when the train arrives at the North Pole, where Santa Claus and his reindeer are waiting! Santa will board The Polar Express and hand each child their own special gift.

2007 Polar Express Schedule:

The Polar Express runs twice per evening – at 6:30pm and 8:00pm – on these 2007-2008 season dates:

November: 2, 3, 8 – 12, 14 – 19, 25, 26, 28 – 30
December: 1 – 3, 5 – 10, 12 – 22
January 2008: 4 – 6, 11, 12

Tickets – Pricing, Availability and How to Purchase

Pricing
Individual Tickets*
Adults: $26 Children (2 – 16): $14

*Individual tickets are available only after packages sell out for the requested evening. Please call 1-800-THE-TRAIN to check the status of packages and individual ticket sales. Please have multiple travel dates in mind, in case your first choice is not available.

Polar Express Package – Starting at $289 for two adults and two children includes:

• Polar Express train trip from Williams, Arizona to the North Pole
• One night at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams next to the train depot
• Dinner and breakfast for each person at the Railway’s Max & Thelma’s Restaurant
• $10 retail certificate per adult (maximum $20 per package) for use in Railway Gift Shops

The package is $309 for two adults and two children on Fridays and Saturdays in November and December and from December 15 – 22.
Price is based on adult double occupancy and does not include tax. Options available for all family sizes!

Grand Canyon Railway Daily Ride Combination Package Discounts
Grand Canyon Railway is offering Polar Express package customers 50% off Coach Class or 50% off the cost to upgrade any class of service. This special offer is valid for travel December through February, excluding 2/15 and 16.

Availabilty – Tickets are still available for selected 2007 dates. Tickets sell out very quickly. TIP: Weekends closest to Christmas are the most popular dates. Weeknight and January dates are a good bet. Please call 1-800-THE-TRAIN to check availability. Please have multiple travel dates in mind, in case your first choice is not available.
2008-2009 Availability – Can’t get your desired 2007 dates? Advance reservations for the 2008 Polar Express season if paid in full. Click here for the 2008-2009 Polar Express schedule.

How to Purchase Tickets
Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-THE-TRAIN.

Where Does The Polar Express Start?

The Polar Express departs from the Grand Canyon Railway Depot in Williams, Arizona. Williams is located 32 miles west of Flagstaff off of Interstate 40. Take Exit 163 and drive south 1/2 mile to the Train Depot.

Where Does The Polar Express End?

Closely following The Polar Express book, this nighttime trip from Williams through the starlit wilderness to the “North Pole” features a special reading of The Polar Express while passengers enjoy hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies. After arriving at the “North Pole” – a Christmas light village featuring an Aurora Borealis – Santa Claus and his reindeer welcome passengers before boarding the Polar Express for the return trip to Williams. Santa then boards the train and makes his way through the historic Pullman passenger cars, greeting every child and presenting each one with a special gift – a jingle bell signifying their belief in Santa Claus. The round trip journey is a little more than an hour in length.

What Should We Wear?
Why, warm, snuggly pajamas and bathrobes, of course! TIP: Dress warmly for Grand Canyon winter weather, as the evening low temperatures are often in the 20s.

Anything Else We Should Know?
You can help the Grand Canyon Railway give back to the community and make the holidays special for a less-fortunate child.

[Bring] a new, unwrapped toy to the Grand Canyon Railway Depot when you come to ride The Polar Express. All items collected are donated to Northern Arizona Law Enforcement.

More Information
is available at www.thetrain.com

Paul from Prescottstyle reached out to us at Prescott.com and I’m glad he did. He’s got some great photos and artwork representing Whiskey Row, the Palace Building, and special downtown events like the Christmas and Fourth of July parades and Halloween in Prescott, Arizona.

Source: www.travelvideo.tv
Nov 03, 06 | 1:40 pm

Tickets for Grand Canyon Railway’s 2006 presentation of The Polar Express are still available. As of Nov. 1, 85 percent of the available tickets for The Polar Express have been sold. Approximately 10,000 tickets are still available and evenings with the most availability, include Nov. 13 – 16, 27 and 29, Jan. 5 – 7 and Jan. 12 – 13.

This is the sixth year that Grand Canyon Railway will bring the magic of the classic children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg to life. What began as a weekend adventure with 5,600 people has grown into one of Arizona’s most treasured holiday traditions with an anticipated 75,000 people traveling aboard The Polar Express in 2006.

“We’ve ended up expanding our dates into January to accommodate demand,” said Robert LaCivita, Polar Express committee chair and executive vice president of Grand Canyon Railway.”We weren’t sure how popular they’d be initially, but found last year that parents got really creative with the gift giving – often wrapping the tickets for The Polar Express and then putting them under the tree as a special invitation from Santa to visit his home at the North Pole.”

The Railway’s journey is a nighttime trip from Williams through the starlit wilderness to the “North Pole.” Along the way, passengers are treated to a special reading of The Polar Express while enjoying hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies.

Once at the “North Pole” – a Christmas light village featuring an Aurora Borealis – Santa Claus and his reindeer welcome passengers before boarding the Polar Express for the return trip to Williams. After boarding the train, Santa makes his way through the historic Pullman passenger cars, greeting every child and presenting each one with a special gift – a jingle bell signifying their belief in Santa Claus.

Grand Canyon Railway’s The Polar Express kicks off Nov. 9, 2006 and continues select evenings through Jan. 13, 2007. The round trip journey is approximately an hour in length. Most evenings, Grand Canyon Railway offers two trains, with one departing Williams Depot at 6:30 p.m. and a second train departing at 8 p.m.

Approximately 10,000 tickets are still available for the 2006 season. Tickets are $24 for adults and $12 for children. Packages start as low as $269 for two adults and two children, and include the trip The Polar Express, one-night stay at the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel, breakfast and dinner at Max and Thelma’s Restaurant and a $10 retail gift certificate per adult. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-THE-TRAIN.

Families can also add a wintertime Grand Canyon experience aboard Grand Canyon Railway, which returns well in advance of the 6:30 p.m. The Polar Expres train. Recreating the historic trip by rail to the South Rim, Grand Canyon Railway covers 65 miles of classic Old West territory, including high desert plains with endless vistas, small arroyos and portions of the world’s largest ponderosa pine forest.

Grand Canyon Railway operates daily train service between Williams, Ariz. and the Grand Canyon. The Railway offers five distinct classes of service, as well as money-saving packages featuring the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel in Williams. Overnight stays at the Grand Canyon also can be included in the packages. Grand Canyon Railway is an authorized concessioner of the National Park Service and the Kaibab National Forest. For more information, visit www.thetrain.com or call 1-800-THE-TRAIN (1-800-843-8724).