Arizona Backcountry Questions

Does anyone on here ski in Arizona? I will be heading back out to school in Prescott in a few days and starting my first winter in Arizona. I know about Snowbowl, but I had some questions about the San Fran Peaks backcountry scene. I found www.kachinapeaks.org and have been reading up, but I still have some questions. How do you guys get up to the top? From the northeast side its almost a 4 mile hike in, just to get to the base from 89. Do you skin/hike up Snowbowl and then go from there? If thats the case, it seems like most of the riding is off the other side. Do you then have to hike back around the mountain to get back? Do most people skin up, or can you throw your skis on your back and snowshoe? Thanks in advance!