PHOENIX — Snowboarding fans in Arizona now have a new way to practice their skills — without leaving the Valley or waiting for winter. AZ Snow Zone, an indoor snowboarding and skiing park, opened in Phoenix this past weekend. It offers enthusiasts a chance to train year-round, even in the summer heat.
The facility is the creation of Joshua Sinclair, a Phoenix local and passionate skier. Sinclair’s love for snow sports grew after a wrist injury two winters ago. While recovering, he looked for ways to train off the mountain but found Arizona’s hot climate a major challenge.
“I tried setting up something in my backyard, but it was too hot,” Sinclair explained. “So, I found a warehouse with air conditioning and built it inside. Since our offseason is summer, this made sense.”
A Year of Hard Work and Innovation
Sinclair developed AZ Snow Zone in less than a year. The park blends advanced dry ski technology from China with skateboarding features common on the U.S. West Coast.
“All the equipment here is portable and adjustable based on skill level and bookings,” Sinclair said. “That’s not something you see overseas.”
The park includes a beginner-friendly ramp for kids, a trampoline for practicing aerial tricks, adjustable rails, and a large ramp for advanced riders. The surface is made of Mushroom Dry Ski, a synthetic turf that feels like snow but is soft enough to cushion falls.
“It won’t feel like powder or slush,” Sinclair admitted. “But when snow is gone and only ice is left, this is the next best thing.”
Making Winter Sports Accessible and Building Community
Sinclair sees AZ Snow Zone as more than a training space. He wants to make skiing and snowboarding easier to try for beginners who might be put off by the cost or cold of mountain resorts.
“You have to drive up to Snowbowl, pay a lot, and deal with cold weather. Here, you can see if you like the sport without wasting time or money,” he said.
His bigger goal? To inspire a new generation of Arizona snowboarders — maybe even a future Olympic gold medalist.
“We just had Jagger Eaton win in skateboarding from Phoenix. Why not snowboarding next?” Sinclair said.
A Unique Setup in the U.S.
While dry ski surfaces are common in places like China, Sinclair says AZ Snow Zone’s park-style setup is unique in the United States.
“There are ski treadmills and skate-style parks with wood and wheels, but nothing like this,” he said. “People from Milwaukee and Atlanta have already asked how to start something similar.”
Affordable and High-Quality Experience
Entry prices start at $20 for the first hour and $15 for each additional hour. The facility rents high-quality skis, Burton snowboards, helmets, and pads. Protective gear is mandatory.
“It’s affordable, and the rental gear is real snowboarding equipment, not cheap rental stuff,” Sinclair emphasized.
He hopes the facility grows with community input. “It’s all trial and error. We fall, we learn, and we adapt,” Sinclair said.
With AZ Snow Zone, summer snowboarding in Phoenix is now a reality — and the next wave of Arizona riders may just find their start here.