Anthony Lakes Taste of Nordic Returns March 22 for 12th Annual Fundraiser

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort will bring back its Taste of Nordic fundraiser on Sunday, March 22, setting up food and beverage stations along the Nordic trails for skiers, snowshoers, and anyone willing to lace up a pair of boots and walk.

The 12th annual event runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the resort on Anthony Lakes Highway in North Powder. Participants move along the cross-country trail route at their own pace, stopping at vendor stations to sample local food and drinks along the way.

"The cool thing is you don't have to be a skier — it's a really great way to get outside and eat food," said Chelsea Judy, Anthony Lakes marketing director.

Everything is purchased with tokens, priced at $4 each. Tokens will be sold at the Main Lodge, the Nordic Outpost, and at a token table set up in zone two along the trail for anyone who runs short mid-route. Organizers encourage buying tokens in advance at the lodge to skip the day-of lines. Commemorative reusable cups are $15, available while supplies last. Package deals offer a faster way to stock up: the Hot Lap bundles a cup with five tokens for $30, the Mingler includes a cup and 15 tokens for $70, and the Mingling Duo covers two cups and 30 tokens for $140.

Anyone 21 or older who wants to sample alcoholic beverages must wear a wristband; IDs are checked when tokens are purchased.

A valid Nordic trail pass is required to participate. Single-day passes are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 7 through 11. A sno-park permit is also required and can be purchased at Anthony Lakes or through local vendors. Cross-country ski and snowshoe rentals are available for $25 and can be picked up either the day before the event or on the morning of March 22.

The event draws a crowd well beyond Baker County. At the 2024 edition, Judy noted that nearly 400 people attended in 2023 and that roughly half came from outside the region. "This event continues to grow in popularity and brings together locals and visitors with almost half of participants from out of the area — from Boise to Tri-Cities to Portland," she said. The 2025 edition featured 13 registered vendors from across Eastern Oregon.

The event proceeds regardless of weather. Past years have seen everything from clear skies to snowfall during the four-hour window on the trails.

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort operates in partnership with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest under a special use permit. The resort's winter schedule runs Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The resort is located at 47500 Anthony Lakes Highway in North Powder.