Why winter is the season
Scottsdale winter rentals are the most sought-after stays of the year, and the reason is simple. While most of the country is shoveling, the Phoenix area has mild, dry days that are good for golf, hiking and eating outside. Mornings and evenings are cool enough for a fire pit, and afternoons are warm enough to sit by the pool in the sun.
That combination draws two kinds of winter visitor. Some come for a week or two around the holidays or a big event. Others, often called snowbirds, come for a month or the whole season and treat the desert as their winter home. Our houses take both, and the way you book differs a little for each.
The winter calendar, month by month
Knowing the calendar is the most useful thing you can do before you book. Demand is not even across the season, and a few weeks fill far earlier than the rest.
- November: the season opens; comfortable weather, good availability
- December: holiday lights, Scottsdazzle in Old Town, family trips around Christmas and New Year
- January: Barrett-Jackson brings collectors from around the world; demand climbs fast
- Late January to early February: Phoenix Open week, the single busiest week of the year
- Late February to March: spring training, the Arabian Horse Show and spring break
- April: still pleasant, with more room on the calendar as the season winds down
Event weeks and longer minimums
From January through March, the big events set the pace. Barrett-Jackson, the Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale and Cactus League spring training each bring tens of thousands of visitors, and the houses closest to the action are booked first. During those weeks our minimum stays are longer than usual, and the best dates go months ahead.
If your trip is built around one of these events, book as early as you can and plan around the minimum rather than against it. If your dates are flexible, the weeks between events often have better availability and a calmer town.
Staying the whole winter
For snowbirds, a month or more is the natural length, and extended stays of thirty nights or more are welcome at every one of our Arizona houses at discounted rates. These are furnished stays, not leases: you arrive to a ready house and leave without moving furniture. Extended stays are priced on request.
The house you choose shapes the winter. Troon Ranch Casitas in North Scottsdale suits a couple who want quiet mornings, desert trails and Troon North golf nearby; the Cabin Casita sleeps two and the Loft Casita sleeps four. Wild West Estate near Old Town suits a family or two couples who want restaurants and galleries close by. Valley Vista Estate in Paradise Valley works when children and grandchildren will come and go through the season, with eleven bedrooms and a detached casita.
What winter in the desert actually feels like
Visitors are sometimes surprised that winter nights in the desert are cold. Daytime temperatures are usually pleasant, but after sunset it can drop sharply, and a few mornings each winter dip near freezing. Pack layers, a warm jacket for evenings and something for early golf.
Valley Vista's pool is heated, and any pool in January feels best in the afternoon sun. Fire pits and outdoor fireplaces earn their keep this time of year. Rain is uncommon but does arrive in short spells, so keep an indoor plan or two: museums, Taliesin West and the Musical Instrument Museum are good choices.
Winter plans between the big events
A winter stay is not only about the headline weeks. December brings the luminaria nights at the Desert Botanical Garden, ZooLights at the Phoenix Zoo and Scottsdazzle in Old Town. January and February are the best months for long hikes in the McDowell Sonoran Preserve, when the trails that are too hot in summer become a pleasure.
Golf is at its peak through the season, and tee times at the best-known courses should be booked when you book the house. Architecture fans can tour Taliesin West, and the galleries in Old Town hold weekly art walks. For snowbirds, the quieter weeks between events are often the best part of the winter.
How to book a winter stay
Start early. For the holidays and January to March, we suggest asking in the summer or early fall, and earlier for event weeks. Decide first whether you want a set week around an event or a longer stretch, because the way we quote them differs.
For a week or two, choose dates with Check availability on the house page. For a month or more, call us at (480) 781-0717 and we will price the stay. Pets may be considered at some Arizona houses with prior approval and a pet fee; Troon Ranch Casitas does not take pets.
Questions we get asked
When is the winter season in Scottsdale?
Roughly November through April, with the busiest stretch from January through March when Barrett-Jackson, the Phoenix Open and spring training are in town.
How far ahead should I book a Scottsdale winter rental?
For event weeks and the holidays, six months or more is wise. For quieter winter weeks, a few months ahead usually works, but the best houses go first.
Are minimum stays longer in winter?
Yes. Holiday and event weeks carry longer minimums. The house page shows the minimum for your dates when you check availability.
Do you offer rentals for the whole winter?
Yes. Stays of thirty nights or more are welcome at every Arizona house at discounted rates, priced on request.
Is it cold in Scottsdale in winter?
Days are usually mild and pleasant, but nights can be cold and a few mornings come close to freezing. Bring layers and a warm jacket for evenings.
Which house is best for a couple wintering in Scottsdale?
Troon Ranch Casitas, on a quiet horse ranch in North Scottsdale, with a shared pool and spa and Troon North golf nearby.
