A group of skiers descend Road Run slope at Anthony Lakes during the resort’s opening day on Saturday, Dec. 18, 2021. Ski resorts across the country have seen a significant increase in traffic during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BAKER CITY — The sweetest October treat for skiers is sugar-free.

It is a form of frosting, however.

A potent early storm that swept through Northeastern Oregon earlier this week deposited several inches of snow at Anthony Lakes Ski Area.

And although the resort will need a few feet of snow before it turns on the triple chairlift, this week’s wintry preview whets the appetites of skiers and snowboarders.

“It’s very exciting to start seeing snow,” said Chelsea Judy, marketing director for the ski area in the Elkhorn Mountains about 19 miles west of North Powder.

Anthony Lakes typically opens in early to mid December.

But Judy said the resort is always ready to welcome skiers as early as the Saturday of Thanksgiving week — Nov. 25 this year.

“It all depends on the snow,” she said.

Anthony Lakes opened on Nov. 28, 2020, among the earlier starts in the past decade.

November weather can be capricious, equally capable of delivering blizzards and prolonged periods of mild, dry conditions.

Regardless of whether the sky is generous or stingy over the next month or so, Judy said visitors can expect some upgrades on the slopes and in the day lodge this winter.

Inside, the resort has installed a water bottle filler.

Both fireplaces, one in the Starbottle Saloon downstairs and one in the main lodge upstairs, have been repaired and will have toasty fires kindled.

Judy said the restrooms have also been refurbished.

Outside, workers have freshened the signs for named ski runs.

New warming yurt

On the Nordic skiing side, Judy said the biggest change is the addition of a warming yurt near the Nordic Center trailer, which is parked in the Elkhorn Crest Trail lot west of the lodge.

Measuring 20 feet in diameter, the yurt will have space for skiers and snowshoers to rest, have a snack and warm up before the fireplace, Judy said.

There won’t be any food or drinks for sale, but visitors are welcome to bring their own, she said.

For size comparison, Creston’s yurt, at the top of the chairlift, is 24 feet across, the Hoffer rental yurt, at the southwest corner of Anthony Lake, is 21 feet, and the Gunsight rental yurt, in the Anthony Lake Campground, is 16 feet.

Reservations for the two rental yurts and for the Anthony Lake Guard Station tend to be claimed quickly, Judy said. Reservations opened Oct. 15.

Yurt rentals are done through the ski area’s website, anthonylakes.com.

Reservations for the guard station are made at the recreation.gov website.

Although Anthony Lakes has no overnight lodging, the resort allows RVs and other vehicles to park overnight in the lower parking lot, near the lodge. All parking, including the 13 spots with electric plug-ins, is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Overnight parking passes cost $25 per night for spaces with electricity, and $10 per night for those without. Passes are sold at the ticket booth. People who park overnight need both the parking pass and an Oregon Sno-Park permit.

Reservations for cat skiing excursions on the back side of the mountain can be made at anthonylakes.com starting Nov. 1.

Ticket discount offers

Anthony Lakes will have two new ticket options this winter.

Every Thursday, lift tickets, normally $50 for adults, will be $30.

(The regular rate for ages 13-18, and for college students and military members with ID, is $45. Lift tickets are $35 for ages 7-12, and free for skiers 6 and younger and 70 and older.)

The other new program is SOS (Save Our Sanity). It’s specifically for couples who have kids 3 and younger who don’t ski, and the program is available every day Anthony Lakes is open.

Couples can buy a daily lift ticket for $70 that can be used by either parent while the other parent is watching the child or children in the lodge.

“It’s very exciting to start seeing snow.”

— Chelsea Judy, marketing director, Anthony Lakes Ski Area

Ski swaps

• The Anthony Lakes Ski Racing Association’s ski swap and spaghetti dinner are set for Saturday, Nov. 11 at the Baker Elks Lodge, 1896 Second St. in Baker City. The ski swap starts at 10 a.m. Silent auction and spaghetti dinner start at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for kids 14 and younger. Items for the sale can be dropped off Friday, Nov. 10 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. or during the event.

• Anthony Lakes Ski Patrol ski swap will be Saturday, Nov. 18 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Riveria Activity Center, 2609 Second St. in La Grande.

Pray for Snow party

The annual event is set for Saturday, Nov. 11 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Blue Mountain Outfitters, 1124 Adams Ave. in La Grande. Skiers and boarders can pick up their season passes during the event.