Weather in Arizona in Dec?
 

My family is considering a trip to Arizona and/or Zion/Brye during Christmas week. Is this a good time to travel this area? Thanks .

Zion and Bryce would not make good wintertime destinations. Bryce in particular, is at a high altitude and will be snowbound and very cold. While the South Rim of the Grand Canyon will be open, it too will probably be quite snowy. Central or southern AZ would be a better choice, although you won't see the canyons of northern AZ or southern UT.

alf, what a scairdy-cat. do you mean that the grand canyon and etc. fill up with snow to the top in the winter? i'm sure the roads are kept up well and in the west dry out quickly. what fun to be snowed in in one of those wonderful places. i've seen pictures of the parks in winter and they look beautiful. personally, i'd try it. no crowds. alf, don't try visiting in the northern mid-west. you might get snowbound and cold.

ummm, Judy, you have no idea what you're blithering about. <BR>The GC and Utah's National Parks are very cold and especially windy during winter and many of the roads simply close during winter. <BR>The elevations, low humidity and wind make these areas unpleasant for outdoor activities on many days. <BR>Yes, there are still some good days intermixed with bad, but if someone is planning a special trip just to see the parks in December, it's potentially a waste of time and money.

sounds like someone should never try skiing either. i'd check the national parks web address for things to do in the winter.

I have friends that have gone on vacation every year for the past 17 years, to Utah, Idaho, & areas near there. They go in September, after kids are back in school. They go thru some of the national parks, but there have been a number of years, even at that time of year, where the state police allow only cars/trucks with chains on their tires to drive the roads & turn all others back, or even close the roads completely because of the snow. You just have to beaware of the conditions at the time you are there. Being cautious has nothing to do with being a wimp. Ski resorts are geared to help people get to the areas, that is their business & they know how to get the people in safely. National parks & state police are geared to protect people that are not used to the conditions.

I have lived my whole life in the upper midwest & know about snow & how to drive in light & heavey snow. I have also been to Flagstaff, AZ around Christmas time, when they have had heavy snows & I would not drive in it there, under heavy conditions. The midwest snows don't usually compare to the heavy snows in AZ. When light or moderate snows occur, AZ & Utah can be very drivable & beautiful, but when the heavy snows come, you better know what you are doing & have the equipment to deal with it, & heed the recommendations of those in the know otherwise don't venture out on the roads in heavy weather if not familiar with it.

I am afraid I must agree. Used to live in Phx and at least once a week in the winter they closed hwys in northern AZ unless you had chains on your tires and I think the North end of GC is closed all winter. It would be a shame to get there and not be able to enjoy the area. Perhaps PHX is better w/ a day trip up north if weather is holding out?