We are so excited to be celebrating 12 years of glorious mountain culture in Eastern Oregon.  To kick things off join us at HQ in La Grande on Friday, Feb. 2 for a showing of “Land of Giants.” The Land of Giants features the best skiers in the world, skiing unbelievable conditions and riding to the very edge and beyond. It’s a celebration of the natural world, and a reminder of the power of the human spirit. It’s a film that will leave you awestruck, inspired, and humbled.

Saturday the 3rd we’ll be up at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort for a full day of events.  The Kip Rand Memorial Race starts at 8am, followed by two snow safety clinics at 10am and 1pm.  Wanderlust will be playing live music and rocking the Starbottle Saloon.  

Sunday the 4th, join WAC staff for a ski tour into the surrounding backcountry adjacent to the resort.  

Also, our online fundraiser will have a ton of cool gear and local merchant prizes to auction off. So…come up to Anthony Lakes for a fantastic weekend of backcountry fun and support the Wallowa Avalanche Center and their mission of keeping people safe and riding on top.

Jan. 22 – Feb 4, 2024- Online Auction

Online auction to benefit and raise funds for the Wallowa Avalanche Center. Amazing prizes, equipment, and services from local businesses and sponsors will be available. To join in the fundraising fun visit https://www.32auctions.com/EOBF24

Friday – Feb 2nd, 2024 – Film Showing & Fundraiser @ HQ in downtown La Grande

We will be screening Matchstick’s Productions film “Land of Giants.” The Land of Giants features the best skiers in the world, skiing unbelievable conditions and riding to the very edge and beyond. It’s a celebration of the natural world, and a reminder of the power of the human spirit. It’s a film that will leave you awestruck, inspired, and humbled. Along with showing the film we’ll have a pie auction event to raise funds for the WAC. Dust off the old family recipes or excite us with your phenomenal baking skills. We need pie donations galore! Expect great local brew, food, and vendors.  Doors open at 6 PM, pie auction 6:30 and film starts at 7pm.

Saturday, Feb. 3rd, 2024 – Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort

All clinics are complimentary for all participants and are taught by professional avalanche instructors volunteering their time for the WAC. If you have your own beacon, shovel, and probe, please bring them. We can lend you equipment for the clinic if you don’t have it yourself. All participants should have some way to get to the class site, which is a short distance from the lodge. (Skis, splitboard, snowshoes) The terrain is fairly flat. Clinics are planned for about an hour long. The registration links take you to a waiver to sign and that will complete the process. We look forward to seeing you on the mountain!

8 a.m – Festivities start out with the Kip Rand Memorial Backcountry Race. Register HERE.

10 a.m. – Avalanche Companion Rescue Clinic at Anthony Lakes. (Meet at EOBF tent outside south of the rental shop) Register here.

1 p.m. – Avalanche Basics Clinic: snow profiles and stability tests in the AL backcountry.(Meet at EOBF tent south of the rental shop) Register here.

3 p.m. – Wanderlost at the Starbottle Saloon. Come dressed in your most outlandish outfit and prepare to dance your pants off!

Sunday, Feb. 4th – Elkhorn Mountains

9 a.m. – Self-organized free touring day in the Anthony Lakes backcountry. Join WAC forecasters on a tour of Angell Basin near A-Lakes. They’ll show you some helpful techniques for evaluating the local snowpack and good touring options. (Meet at EOBF tent south of the rental shop)