.MJZ]IZa-);<-:67:-/768):-6< Recess on the winter playground of Eastern Oregon By JENNIFER COLTON Eastern Oregon has been touched, blanketed and, in some cases, pummeled with winter weather this season, and the snow has created great opportuni es for winter recrea on ac vi es. So pack up the kids and head outdoors! Sledding One of the best introduc ons to winter sports is also one of the sim- plest: sledding! The city of Herm- iston off ers sledding right down- town with a sledding hill under the “Union High” arch off Northeast Second Street. The hill is at the former school loca on and fully fenced off from all vehicular traffi c. Another designated snow area is in the Uma lla Na onal Forest. Near Tollgate, Andies Prairie – about 26 miles east of Weston or 14 miles northwest of Elgin – is the only designated sledding and winter camping area in the Blue Mountains. Motorized vehicles are not allowed in the sled- ding area from Dec. 1 through April 1. The For- est Service also main- tains the Rose Springs site, 15 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington. Snowmobiling If you’re looking for something a li le faster, and a li le more adven- turous than sledding, Eastern Or- egon has numerous snowmobiling trails, and, during the winter, closed forest roads are accessible by snow- mobile within the Uma lla Na onal Forest – as long as riders are aware of skiiers and snowshoers. In the Wallowa-Whitman Na on- al Forest, the Blue Mountains North and Grande Ronde River Basin Area off er developed recrea on sites and trails across the northern Blue Mountains near La Grande. If your family is up for more of a drive, Baker County off ers more than 900 miles of snowmobile trails, includ- ing many in Sumpter, Halfway and Unity. The U.S. Forest Service does off er motorized recrea on use maps for trails and more informa- on for each site. These are avail- able at your local Forest Service offi ce. Downhill skiing and snowboarding Although Spout Springs Ski Area is currently closed, there are a couple other nearby op ons. With the slogan “Same as it ever was,” Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort specializes in skiing, snowboarding, and all sorts of winter recrea on. Anthony Lakes is located just outside of North Powder on the other side of the Blue Moun- tains. For more informa- on on Anthony Lakes, you can call 541-856- 3277 or visit the resort’s web page. Along with Spout Springs, the Uma lla Na onal Forest over- sees another ski area in the Blue Mountains: Ski Bluewood, which operates under special use permits and off ers downhill skiing from late November through early April. You can check its website (bluewood.com) or Facebook page for more informa on and snow condi ons. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing Although much of the a rac- on of cross-country (a.k.a. Nordic) skiing and snowshoeing are the op- portuni es to travel off the beaten bath, there are designated trails throughout Eastern Oregon forest lands. The Nordic trail systems are marked with blue, diamond-shaped markers and primarily follow exist- ing roads. The 7-mile Horseshoe Prairie trail, 7 miles south of Toll- gate, and the 12-mile Meacham Divide trail system, 37 miles east of Pendleton, remain popular. The lat- ter is groomed by the Blue Moun- tain Nordic Club; details are online at new.onc.org/bmnc. ________ Jennifer Colton is news director of KOHU and KQFM, and mother of three, based in Pendleton.