NORTH POWDER — Before he starts gift duty, Santa will hit the slopes to ski at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24.

The ski resort will be open daily from Dec. 21 through Jan. 5, although it is closed on Christmas Day. Operating hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

And don’t delay if you want to ski with Santa on Dec. 24 — he’ll only be there from 10 a.m. to noon, and the ski area closes at 1 p.m. that day. Lift tickets are $5 off for the day.

The area’s regular operating schedule, Thursday through Sunday, will begin Jan. 9. Anthony Lakes is also open on major Monday holidays.

Live music

Saturdays often feature live music in the Starbottle Saloon from 3-6 p.m.

La Grande’s Standard Deviation will play on Dec. 21, and Dec. 28 will welcome Boise’s Hillfolk Noir.

The year closes with extended music on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, when John Day’s Red Headed Stepchild plays from 2-5 p.m.

5th/6th Sundays

Anthony Lakes will again offer free skiing and snowboarding on Sundays for students in grades five and six.

The program begins Jan. 5 and runs through Feb. 23.

The “5th & 6th Grade Ski Free” program is open to any fifth and sixth graders, local or visiting. Participants need to bring a school ID or current report card to register every Sunday from 8:30-9:45 a.m. in the upper level of the main lodge.

Students receive a free lift ticket, rental and mandatory lesson.

An accompanying adult can receive a reduced lift ticket for $25.

Children who attend seven of the eight Sundays can purchase a discounted season pass.

“The 5th and 6th Grade Ski Free Program has been a long-standing program at Anthony Lakes. We are dedicated to getting youth on the mountain to learn the lifelong sports of skiing and snowboarding. This is a great opportunity for not only the kids but for parents too,” said Chelsea Judy, the area’s marketing director. “We really love seeing this program grow and to see families get outside and ski together.”

Skate Ski Clinics

Anthony Lakes is hosting three skate clinics this season with instructor Sam Wiswell on Jan. 12, Feb. 9 and March 9.

Beginner and intermediate clinics are available, and both include two hours of instruction for $50. (A trail pass and rentals are an extra $15 each).

Participants should dress warm and bring water and snacks because the clinic includes time to discuss techniques and watch demonstrations.

For information, or to register, visit anthonylakes.com/sunday-skate-clinics.

Extras

Anthony Lakes continues a few special programs again this year, Judy said.

For instance, Thursday lift tickets are reduced to $30 starting Dec. 26. Also, young families with non-skiing infants and toddlers can check out the Save Our Sanity (SOS) ticket, which includes one lift ticket that can be used alternately by one parent at a time.

“Because we are committed to getting families on the mountain, we introduced the SOS ticket to help young families get some turns in,” Judy said.

Events at

Anthony Lakes

Dec. 21: Music by Standard Deviation, 3-6 p.m.

Dec. 24: Ski with Santa, 10 a.m.-noon

Dec. 25: Closed

Dec. 28: Music by Hillfolk Noir, 3-6 p.m.

Dec. 31: Music by Red Headed Stepchild, 2-5 p.m.

Jan. 5: 5th and 6th grade free Sundays begins

Jan. 11: Music by Forest Ray, 3-6 p.m.

Jan. 20: Open for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Jan. 25: ASLRA Anthony Lakes Cup dual slalom, 9 a.m.; music by the Real Jay Miller, 3-6 p.m.

Feb. 1: Eastern Oregon Backcountry Festival (Feb. 1-2); music by Wanderlost, 3-6 p.m.