JOHN DAY Skiers and snowboarders students and adults can sign up for Grant County bus trips to Anthony Lakes Ski Area.

Four Friday trips are scheduled for Jan. 3, 10, 7, and 31.

Participants can buy packages that include the bus trip, equipment rentals, lessons and ski lift. Discounted rates are available through Thursday, Dec. 19. Some scholarships are available.

People can still sign up after that date at the full rate which is $5 more.

Weekly sign-ups before each trip also will be available, but must be submitted by the Wednesday before the trip if they are students.

Greg Whipple heads up the ski bus trips, which are sponsored by John Day-Canyon City Parks and Recreation District and Grant County Safe Communities Coalition in partnership with Anthony Lakes special Friday program Ski for the Health of It.

This is a great time to ski for a discounted price, Whipple said.

He noted that students younger than sixth grade need to be accompanied by a guardian, and those 18 and younger must enroll in lessons each time they hit the slopes.

It improves our safety record, which has been great, he said.

Area residents, even if they dont have children, can join the trips and ride on the bus or drive over.

The bus is limited to the first 55 sign-ups per trip, and it leaves from the Grant Union Junior-Senior High School parking lot at 6:30 a.m. sharp and returns about 8 p.m.

In order for this program to keep going, we need people to come out and use it, he said.

For rates and information on the sign-ups, call Parks and Rec at 541-575-0110, or Whipple, 541-620-4043.