Seeking cooler temperatures in Snowflake
Snowflake might seem like an ironic name for an Arizona town, but it does actually snow here. However, that’s not how the community got its name. Snowflake was founded in 1878 by Erastus Snow and William Jordan Flake, pioneers with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “Snowflake is a pioneer town, and they do a great job preserving our history. It gives people here great community values,” says Brandy Bryant, a Realtor with eXp and lifelong resident of the Snowflake-Taylor area. While Snowflake used to be a religious settlement, today, people come here for more space and to escape the heat of Arizona’s lower deserts. “We’re a four-season community,” Bryant says. “Here in the White Mountains, the weather and water access make it livable throughout the year.”
Desert to the north and mountains to the south
Snowflake is uniquely located in the Silver Creek Valley between central Arizona’s desert and mountain landscapes. It’s at the base of Sitgreaves National Forest in the White Mountains to the south. These wooded peaks and canyons aren’t the typical environment most people associate with Arizona. It snows here because of the elevation. “No one thinks it snows in Arizona, but it snows here,” Bryant says. “It melts in a day, which is nice because you get to see it but don’t have to deal with it.” During summer, the mountains provide miles of hiking trails. In the winter, the snow sticks on the higher peaks, making perfect skiing conditions. Sunrise Park Resort is a popular slope 60 miles south. It’s on Mount Baldy, one of the state's highest peaks. Winter is also the perfect time to explore the desert canyons of Petrified Forest National Park, just over 50 miles north. Along with calcified trees and historic adobes, the park is home to the Painted Desert, an artistic geological formation where the rock faces look like they’ve been brushed with layers of color. In town, residents can use the Snowflake swimming pool and the recreation spaces at Snowflake and Pioneer town parks. Golfers play at Snowflake Municipal Golf Course, open to the public, west of town.
Live in town or on spacious ranch properties
In accordance with its pioneer roots, Snowflake is known for its rural way of living. Still, many residents live on the gridded streets in town. The median home price is about $380,000, but prices differ depending on size and location. In town, 1970s ranch-style homes can start under $200,000, while renovated ranch styles and 1910s homes can cost almost $600,000. Recently built New Traditional properties around Snowflake Temple and Snowflake Municipal Golf Course start around the median and reach over $700,000. Many buyers move here for more spacious options. Ranch-style homes on 2-plus-acre properties outside town can go for around the median price. Equestrian properties with larger homes can reach up to $1 million.
One of the best school pipelines in Navajo County
The Snowflake Unified School District serves students in Snowflake and neighboring Taylor, and it earns a B-plus from Niche. According to Niche, it’s the third-best district in Navajo County. Students begin at Highland Primary School, rated an A-minus, for kindergarten through third grade. Snowflake Intermediate and Snowflake Junior High also receive A-minus ratings. Snowflake High rounds out the pipeline with a B-plus. Despite being a small-town school, Snowflake High takes pride in its competitive status. “Our sports teams and music programs can compete with and sometimes outperform schools from large Arizona cities,” Bryant says.
Pioneer Days celebrates the 24th of July
The 24th of July is a major holiday in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It celebrates Brigham Young and the founding pioneers’ entry into Salt Lake City. Today, Pioneer Days is Snowflake’s biggest event. “The 24th of July weekend is a big celebration here,” Bryant says. “There are events all over town, and our rodeo is the real deal.” Events occur over three days, and the Friday rodeo and Saturday parade are the marquee attractions.
Restaurants and shops on Main Street
Main Street, or state Route 77, is the central artery of Snowflake and the neighboring town of Taylor. It’s home to most of the town’s restaurants, including American and Mexican eateries like Streets on Main and La Cocina de Eva. The Perkatory is the local craft coffee shop. Grocery runs require a drive down to Taylor, where there’s a shopping center with a Walmart and a Bashas'.
Commuting to Show Low or the Phoenix metro area
People not working in town usually commute to Show Low, 20 miles south on state Route 77. Show Low is Navajo County’s largest city, and it’s home to the nearest hospital. Snowflake is far from any true metro area. The closest is Phoenix, about 175 miles or three hours southwest. The Phoenix metro area includes cities like Scottsdale and Tempe, which surround downtown. Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport is in the heart of downtown Phoenix.
