Skiers and snowboarders visited Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort for Throwback Thursday on Jan. 12, 2023. 

BAKER CITY — After a tantalizing snowstorm that dropped more than a foot of snow in places the week before Halloween, November was a month of disappointment for skiers and snowboarders in Northeast Oregon.

But as December begins, the doldrums are dwindling.

“This weekend is looking very promising,” said Chelsea Judy, marketing director for Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort. “Fingers crossed.”

The National Weather Service is predicting 12 to 18 inches of snow this weekend at the ski area in the Elkhorn Mountains about 19 miles west of North Powder.

And the wintry pattern is forecast to persist into next week.

Given the scarcity of snow over the past several weeks, it will take more than a single blizzard to get the chairlift running, Judy said.

There’s just 4 inches of snow on the ground at the ski area.

Typically, Anthony Lakes needs at least a couple feet to have even a limited opening.

Judy said the goal now is to open for the season on Saturday, Dec. 16, which is also the start of the resort’s Christmas break. The ski area is slated to be open daily, except Christmas Day, through Jan. 1.

If the weather is especially generous, a limited opening is possible the previous Saturday, Dec. 9, Judy said.

The actual date depends not just on how much snow falls, but also the type of snow, she said.

Anthony Lakes has the highest base elevation of any Oregon resort at 7,100 feet and is renowned for its dry powder snow. However, prior to the start of the season, somewhat wetter snow is helpful because it’s easier to pack into a firm base with groomers, Judy said.

Based on the forecast, it looks as though the ski area might get the denser snow, at least early next week.

The National Weather Service is predicting a warming, but still wet, trend, with snow levels rising to 5,000 to 6,000 feet. That likely would result in a wetter snow, ideal for building the base, Judy said.

Regardless, she’s anticipating a busy opening weekend due to the pent up demand from skiers and boarders who were tempted by the pre-Halloween storm but have been frustrated since.

“There’s a lot of anticipation,” she said.

More Information

The latest snow conditions, schedules and other information about Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort is available on the ski area’s website, www.anthonylakes.com.