Anthony Lakes Reopens Houtz’s House and Nordic Trails After Fresh Snow

Houtz’s House, the Nordic warming yurt at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, has reopened after wind damage and the resort’s Nordic trails are freshly groomed following this past week’s snowfall, resort operators report. Anthony Lakes, at 47500 Anthony Lakes Hwy in North Powder, is the closest downhill and Nordic skiing destination for many Union County residents and visitors and is again offering cross-country access and warming shelter just over the Blue Mountains southwest of La Grande and north of Baker City.

The resort’s website posted the update that “Houtz’s House (Nordic warming yurt) is back in action after a little wind damage. Stop in, warm up, and enjoy the Nordic ambiance. On that note, the Nordic trails are skiing great! This past week’s snowfall allowed Matt to get out there and open the trails up. These sunny days make for some stellar cross-country skiing! Get out there and enjoy.” The post names “Matt” as the person who groomed and opened trails; the site also lists a winter operation schedule of Thursday - Sunday, 9am - 4pm and notes that Anthony Lakes operates under a special use permit with the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.

Anthony Lakes markets a compact, service-rich operation: TravelOregon notes a base elevation of 7,100 feet and highlights ski and snowboard rentals, groomed cross-country and snowshoe trails, snowcat skiing, and “a charming day lodge with a restaurant and lounge.” TravelOregon also describes the resort’s “Own The Mountain” option, available for groups of up to 50 people on non-operating Mondays January through March, a private-day program pitched to ski clubs and corporate retreats.

Terrain and visitor impressions underscore the resort’s local role. Gosnomad’s listing shows 12 total runs with “Ski Terrain 4 Beginner Runs 8 Intermediate Runs,” an overall rating of 4.0 in the site widgets, and describes Anthony Lakes as “smaller and less crowded” with a “laid-back, friendly vibe” and “affordability and welcoming local community.” One Gosnomad reviewer, Benn (expertskier), wrote on Dec. 28, 2024: “Shhhh.. this is the secret powder mountain of Oregon. Thank the Lord it's too far from PDX to get overrun. Not a very big resort but worth the trip.”

Practical details for Union County skiers: the resort’s official address is 47500 Anthony Lakes Hwy, North Powder, OR 97867, and the resort states its winter hours as Thursday through Sunday, 9am to 4pm. Anthony Lakes’ public materials also emphasize summer uses of the high-mountain lake — mountain biking, camping, fishing and picnicking — and limit watercraft to “Only small trolling motors, canoes and rafts” during the summer season.

With Houtz’s House repaired and Nordic loops groomed after recent snowfall, Anthony Lakes resumes service as a local, family-friendly winter playground and the region’s nearest downhill and Nordic option. The resort’s combination of day-lodge amenities, snowcat offerings, and the “Own The Mountain” private-day product keeps it positioned as a year-round asset tied to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest special use permit.