Celebrate New Year’s in Eastern Oregon

Baker City, OR
Dec. 29 – Jan. 2, Fri-Tue
All Abilities Ski at Anthony Lakes; Strong beginner with ability to ski blue trails at Horseshoe Prairie and Meacham Divide

Celebrate the New Year in the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon! 

This is a wonderful trip for club skiers. We hope to ski at Anthony Lakes and Horseshoe Prairie, traveling each day from our comfortable home base at the Wunder House in Baker City.  Meacham Divide (east of La Grande) is an option for travel days.  Non-ski activities include hot springs  and exploring Baker City.

With 300 inches of annual snowfall, the Anthony Lakes Ski Area boasts the best powder skiing in the Northwest. Both downhill and Nordic skiers come to enjoy this breathtaking location at the north end of the Elkhorn Mountains.  The Nordic Center (6,000 ft.) maintains 30 km (18 miles) of groomed trails with every level of difficulty. For advanced level, confident skiers, there’s also easy access to backcountry areas near the Lodge, often by starting at the top of the ski lift (7,200 ft.). 

Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area supports ~ 16 km (10 miles) of xc skiing and snowshoeing on marked groomed and non-groomed trails within the Umatilla National Forest. At an elevation between 5,100’ and 5,300’ the area regularly receives annual snow depths in excess of 4’.  The area is bordered on the north by the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness. The trails at Horseshoe Prairie Nordic Ski Area provide a range of intermediate experiences in terrain and snow landscapes.

Meacham Divide offers 20 km (~12 miles) of groomed trails, with varying levels of difficulty, maintained by one of our sister chapters. At 4,100 feet in elevation and views of the 1,400-foot deep Meacham Canyon and Spout Springs Ridgeline, Meacham Divide has some great skiing and snowshoeing alongside some breathtaking views. 

We will be staying at The Wunder House in Baker City – approximately 55-75 minute drive each way to our daily ski destinations. Amenities include a hot tub and a massage chair to pamper those tender muscles after a fun-filled day of skiing! The main house is a very comfortable and well-equipped 3,400 sq ft home, perfect for our group to relax and socialize; it has five bedrooms and three baths.  Breakfast, lunches and snacks will be on your own, but we will share nightly potlucks.  

Additional costs for this trip include trail fees and carpool expenses to/from Baker City and to/from our daily ski destination.  An Oregon Sno-Park pass may be required 

Trip limit:  10 participants, including the trip leaders
Cost:  $280 per person for lodging.  Excludes cost of travel, trail fees, and meals.
Travel miles:  600 miles round trip from Portland plus excursions to trailheads
Trip Leaders:  Dianne DenOtter, dianne.denotter@gmail.com and Johanna Lovell, joeielove@yahoo.com