Sorry to say, but predictions earlier this year of another snowy La Nina winter didn't happen for Meacham Divide Nordic Area. Thanks for your support and participation this year and we'll try again next season!

Here's a note we sent to the members about the 2011/2012 season:

The season is winding down after never having really started up at Meacham. There were a few moments of good skiing, but they quickly melted away. However, we hope you have managed to get out skiing up in the higher country as it has been superb.

We wanted to take a moment to say thanks to all of you who paid your dues and supported the club this year, despite the lack of snow. Truth is, we have many expenses that occur every year no matter how many times we groom or don't groom. We want you to see our current budget, so you can see how your money was spent:

$62 Annual post office box rental

$11 Stamps for fall newsletter

$300 Oregon Nordic Club dues (in return we get ski area insurance and a free website to use)

$500 Annual insurance for our groomer and generator

$39 Groomer parts

$25 Special use fee for Gallatin (Forest Capital) land

$337 Groomer parts and oil

$282 Repayment of loans from last season

$250 Cost of moving the groomer from Cove (where free labor was donated for repairs last summer)

$250 Cost of grooming one time this season with Steve Antell's machine.

$2056 Total cost for 2011/12 season

Income from club member dues (about 1/2 of our members sent in money this year):

$2771

As you can see, we have expenses even during low snow years. Thank you very much for your ongoing support. We have about $700 to carry over to next year. This is a very rare occurrence, and we can assure you that those funds will be needed to pay for our fall expenses.

Thanks again, and we'll be in touch next year.

Sincerely, The BMNC Board

Please see our update of road and trail conditons on our conditions page. Please consider becoming a member of Blue Mountain Nordic Club and supporting this all-volunteer organization. Every penny we collect goes to groomer maintenance, or road plowing, or grooming the trails.

Blue Mountain Nordic Club promotes Nordic skiing in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon, operating the Meacham Divide Nordic Area and offering several special events during the ski season.

See the Meacham Divide Nordic Area's map page to see our printable trail maps!  The Nordic area is accessed from Summit Road exit 243 on I-84 (travel 18 miles west from La Grande, OR, or 34 miles east from Pendleton, OR).  At the exit, travel 1.7 miles northeast on Forest Service Road 31.  All wheel drive vehicle is generally required.  A snopark pass is required.  Recommended donation: $7.00 per person.

When you ski at Meacham Divide this winter, you'll be sure to appreciate the outstanding efforts of Noel March, who for his Eagle scout project, constructed and placed new trail signs.  Click on the Gallery link to see more photos.