$650k Loan Issued to Oregon's Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort

A small Oregon ski area is getting a big chunk of funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

On August 31, 2026, the Department’s Rural Development Oregon State Director, Jim Carmack, announced that $650,000 will go to Anthony Lakes Recreation Area to support the construction of a new ski rental shop and the greater local economy.

The USDA’s Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program (REDLG) partnered with Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative (OTEC) to help fund the project, as part of its initiative to provide zero-interest loans to businesses to create and retain employment in rural communities. The project will involve replacing a 70-year-old building with a new, two-story facility that will house a retail space, repair shop, and seasonal staff accommodations at the resort.

Since the 1930s, Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort has been a recreational and economic staple in Eastern Oregon’s Wallowa Mountains. In 2010, the 501 (c) (3) non-profit, Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association (ALORA), took over ownership and operation of the resort in an effort to stay true to its roots as an accessible, local ski area. Anthony Lakes’ ski school serves more than 1,500 local kids annually through initiatives like their low-and no-cost school programs.

“This investment is more than a loan for a historic recreation area; it’s a one part of a whole to strengthen both local opportunity and Oregon’s outdoor recreation economy,” said Carmack in a news release about the grant. “USDA is pleased to partner in this project and ensure this community landmark continues to serve residents and visitors for long into the future.”

The new building and rental/retail space aim to better serve tourists and locals alike. A total cost of $1.8M is estimated for the project, which ALORA is currently fundraising for.

“ALORA is proud to partner with OTEC and USDA through the Rural Economic Development Loan program to make this new rental shop facility possible,” said Anthony Lakes Outdoor Recreation Association’s marketing director, Chelsea Judy, in the release. “This project is much more than a new building, it is an investment in the future of outdoor recreation in our region. This updated facility will allow us to better serve our guests, create more opportunities for youth to learn and participate in outdoor recreation, and strengthen the overall experience at Anthony Lakes. We are grateful for both OTEC and the USDA’s partnership and investment in our rural community, and we look forward to seeing the lasting impact this project will have for generations to come.”

Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort has the highest base elevation in the state of Oregon at 7,100 ft. and receives 250 inches of annual snowfall. The ski area has 1,000 acres of skiable terrain and 30km of groomed Nordic trails.

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