Oregon Outside: Backcountry riding at Anthony Lakes
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If you're looking for fresh snow, snowcats beat chairlifts every day of the week. Photo: Courtesy of T. Rockwell
Welcome to Oregon Outside, a new Axios Portland series exploring our state's natural landscape. First up: Backcountry riding — it's a privilege few skiers and snowboarders get to enjoy, but it doesn't have to be.
The big picture: If you want to get into the backcountry without the expense of chartering a helicopter — or the danger of trying it on your own — look no further than the Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort in Baker County.
Zoom in: The resort offers "cat skiing," ferrying small groups of riders up and down its backcountry area in a snowcat, one of those large vehicles you might see trundling around a resort on tank treads.
- Limited to groups of 12, most riders will get six to eight laps on 2,000 acres of bowls, glades and steep terrain that's off limits to the resort's other guests.
Yes, but: That kind of adventure doesn't come cheap.
- A one-day trip for 12 will run you $3,850, or roughly $320 a person.
- It's a roughly five-hour drive each way from Portland, so this isn't a day trip situation.
💠Kale's thought bubble: I had the good fortune to do some backcountry riding when I worked at a resort in Lake Tahoe and there's truly nothing like it.
- The quiet solitude of having a whole mountain to yourself is truly an unmatched experience — not to mention getting first tracks all day long.
Do you have a favorite hike we should feature? Favorite fly fishing spot? Maybe you know someone working to make outdoor recreation better?
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