Industry News
A new kind of snow sport experience has landed in the desert of Arizona, and it is completely indoors. AZ Snow Zone, the nation’s first indoor dry slope facility of its kind, has opened its doors, offering skiers and snowboarders a place to ride throughout the year without needing snow or mountain elevation.
Founded by local snowboard enthusiast Joshua Sinclair, AZ Snow Zone uses synthetic surfaces to recreate the feeling of real snow. Located in a large air-conditioned warehouse, the facility gives riders a way to train during the off-season or try the sport for the first time without the long drive, high lift ticket prices, or cold temperatures.
“I did a backyard setup and it was too hot,” Sinclair explained in an interview to 12News. “So, I took it one style up and found a warehouse to get AC and put it inside.”
The project came together in less than a year by combining West Coast skateboarding features with dry ski technology from China. The slopes are built with Mushroom Dry Ski, a synthetic turf that simulates the glide and control of snow while remaining soft enough for beginners. “It’ll never be powder or slush,” Sinclair said. “But when that’s gone and it’s only ice, this is the next best thing.”
Inside the facility, visitors will find terrain designed for all ability levels. There is a kid-friendly learner ramp, a trampoline for aerial training, adjustable rails, and a large jump for advanced tricks. The entire setup is modular, allowing it to be changed depending on reservations and skill levels.
For Sinclair, AZ Snow Zone is about more than just training. He wants to reduce the barriers that keep many people from trying winter sports, such as cost and cold. “You have to go up to Snowbowl and pay all this money. They might not even like it, and then there’s the cold weather too,” he said. “Here, you can find out if you like skiing or snowboarding without wasting a ton of time or money.”
Sinclair hopes this facility will help inspire a new generation of riders, possibly even Olympic-level athletes. “My goal is to get one of those kids to become the next gold medalist from Phoenix,” he said. “We just did it in skateboarding with Jagger Eaton. Why not snowboarding?”
AZ Snow Zone is one of the only indoor dry-slope parks in the United States with a terrain-park style setup. While similar facilities have gained popularity in countries like China, nothing quite like this exists in the U.S. so far. “There are ski treadmills and skate park-like setups with wood and wheels, but nothing like this,” Sinclair noted. “People from places like Milwaukee and Atlanta have already reached out asking how they can start something similar.”
Pricing is affordable, starting at $20 for the first hour and $15 for each additional hour. Rental gear is available on site, including high-quality skis, Burton snowboards, helmets, and protective pads. Helmets and elbow pads are required for all riders. Sinclair sees the project as constantly evolving. “It’s all trial and error. We fall, we learn, and we adapt,” he said.
As AZ Snow Zone carves out its place in the snow sports world, it is already proving to be more than just a novelty. By bringing skiing and snowboarding indoors and making the experience more accessible, Joshua Sinclair has created a space where beginners can learn, athletes can train, and a new snow culture can grow—even in the heart of the Arizona desert. With its one-of-a-kind setup, welcoming atmosphere, and year-round appeal, AZ Snow Zone is redefining what it means to hit the slopes.
