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Photo: Bill Morrow, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
The southernmost ski resort in the United States. It's a very small resort with short runs.
Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is a recreational ski area in the U.S. state of Arizona, and the southernmost ski destination in the continental United States. Mount Lemmon Ski Valley is located on the slopes of Mount Lemmon in the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson, Arizona. It is part of the Coronado National Forest, located near the mountaintop village of Summerhaven. The summit is 9,157 feet (2,791 m) above sea level, and receives approximately 180 inches (4.6 m) of snow annually.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Mt. Lemmon SkyCenter / Steward Observatory
Operated by the University of Arizona, this astronomical observatory offers nightly observation programs and workshops for the public.
A spectacular desert canyon cut into the south side of the Santa Catalina Mountains, this area is justifiably popular with both locals and visitors and is the starting point for a number of hiking trails. Half-hourly trams operated by Sabino Canyon Tours ($8/$4 adults/children) can take visitors nine stops up into the canyon; a separate tram ($3/$1 adults/children) will take you into Bear Canyon and to the trailhead of the popular Seven Falls Trail. Free trail maps are available at the visitor center, which also sells a good selection of regional hiking guidebooks and topo maps.
This is a good area for wildlife viewing. A number of scenic and challenging trails can be accessed here from the north side of Tucson, as well as from Catalina Highway and Catalina State Park near Oracle. No mountain bikes, horses, or dogs permitted.