When winter reaches its peak in Eastern Oregon, many residents look for opportunities to bust through the valley inversion into playgrounds of deep snow and blue skies.Luckily, the region has numerous options for affordable recreation on public lands — no matter what kind of recreating you like to do.

Mt. Emily

Located six miles east of Meacham off Interstate 84, the Meacham Divide/Mt. Emily sno-park offers some of the best public, groomed cross country ski trails in the state. The Blue Mountain Nordic Club, which is made up of dozens of club members from both sides of the mountain, man the ski trails and also plow about 1.7 miles of the Summit Road from the interstate to the sno-park. The north side of the park is a lot that connects to nordic skiing trails, while the south side consists of a lot for snowmobilers. Many of them ride farther down the rest of the unplowed summit road to the trail of their choice. The trails are the closest and easiest to access for nordic skiers in much of Umatilla County. Snowshoers are welcome on the non-motorized trails as well, but they are asked to not walk on the groomed portion.

Tollgate

Along Highway 204, which connects Weston and Elgin, there are multiple snowmobile-centric sno-parks. Each offers a place to park off-highway and access to numerous trails and consistent snow. Morning Creek, Langdon Lake, Milepost 20, Milepost 22 (across from Spout Springs) and Milepost 27 are sno-parks that cater almost exclusively to snowmobiling. Places like Woodland, a campground located between Milepost 22 and Andies Prairie, offers access to snowmobiles as well as cross country ski trails.The Langdon Lake park, little more than a parking lot located on the private-lake side of Highway 204, is one of the most-used. Its location allows riders direct access to closed Skyline Road that runs all the way to Jubilee Lake, as well as the ability to explore numerous routes down Forest Service roads and into the forest itself.

Andies Prairie

One of the most well-used sno-parks in the region, Andies Prairie offers a little bit of everything. A bowl-shaped hill within walking distance of the parking lot is a favorite of parents and their children, who sled and slide down its snowy banks. Still, the area is deceptively steep in spots — parents should always keep a watchful eye on their young ones. Snowmobiles have access to their own routes, and snowshoers and cross county skiers can trundle through the snow to find some peace and quiet. The area is a favorite for folks looking for an easy place to harvest their own Christmas tree, with a permit of course. Across the road is the excellent Horseshoe Prairie Road sno-park, which is open only to non-motorized travel, especially nordic skiing. A wide variety of tracks are offered of differing skill levels.