Hurricane Ridge’s ’15-’16 forecast: A flurry of activities

Published 3:00 am Wednesday, December 23, 2015

A series of November storms brought heavy rain and flooding to the park’s lowlands and a new blanket of snow to the Olympic high country. The park’s road crew has been busy clearing storm-damaged and debris-strewn roadways, but attention has shifted to plowing snow on Hurricane Ridge Road for what may be a busy winter season.

A full listing of winter services and facility schedules for the Hurricane Ridge area is shown below.

Hurricane Ridge Road

Weather permitting; the Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to be open Friday-Sunday and Monday holidays from Nov. 27-March 27. The road also is scheduled to be open daily, Dec. 26-Jan. 3.

All vehicles, including four-wheel drive, are required to carry tire chains when traveling above the Heart O’the Hills entrance station through April 1.

Winter storms may close or delay opening of the Hurricane Ridge Road, as high winds and blizzard conditions are not uncommon.

Road and weather condition updates are available on the park’s Road and Weather Hotline at 565-3131 or @HRWinterAccess on Twitter.

The Hurricane Ridge Road also may close temporarily if the parking lot becomes completely full. Park staff urges Hurricane Ridge visitors to carpool and pay extra attention to making the best possible use of the parking area.

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing

Opportunities for cross-country skiers and snowshoe walkers range from open, level meadows near the visitor center to extreme terrain in the park’s wilderness backcountry. Anyone skiing or snowshoeing beyond the immediate Hurricane Ridge area should sign in at the registration box in the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center and be prepared for steep terrain and the possibility of avalanches. Although close to town, Hurricane Ridge is subject to extreme winter conditions, including sudden storms, white-outs and avalanches, park officials say, making planning and preparation for winter conditions vital.

Information about ski and snowshoe routes and trails is available at park visitor centers, the Olympic National Park website or the park’s visitor newspaper, the Bugler.

Downhill ski, snowboard and tubing area

Weather permitting, the Hurricane Ridge Ski, Snowboard and Tubing Area operates from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays beginning Sunday through March 27. The area also is scheduled to be open daily from Dec. 26-Jan. 3. More information about the Hurricane Ridge downhill ski and snowboard area is available at hurricaneridge.com.

The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard area operates a tubing park; check hurricaneridge.com for cost information, details and updates. Tubing and sliding are permitted free of charge for children 8 years of age and younger, at the Small Children’s Snowplay Area just west of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center. If conditions become too dangerous for sliding, the Small Children’s Snowplay Area will be closed.

Snowshoe walks

Ranger-led snowshoe walks for individuals and families are offered at 2 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays through March 27, as well as New Year’s Day (Friday, Jan. 1). Walks last 90 minutes and are less than one mile in length. Cost is $7 for adults, $3 for youth from 6-15 years old. Admission is free for children 5 years of age and younger.

Space on the walks is limited, so people should sign up at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk beginning 30 minutes before the scheduled walk. Organized groups such as youth or school groups must make advance reservations for snowshoe walks.

Group snowshoe walks are provided Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays at 10:30 a.m. for groups holding reservations. Space is limited, so group leaders should call Olympic National Park at 565-3136 for reservations and more information.

Visitor center

The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is open Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays, and daily from Dec. 26-Jan. 3.

On Fridays when the building is not staffed, only the foyer, which includes an indoor restroom, will be open.

The information desk will be staffed on weekends and Monday holidays through March 27. The information desk also will be staffed daily from Dec. 26-Jan. 3.

Snack bar, ski shop

The Hurricane Ridge snack bar and ski shop, with both ski and snowshoe rentals, is scheduled to be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends and holiday Mondays from Saturday through March 27.

It also will be open daily from Dec. 26-Jan. 3.

Overnight camping

Overnight wilderness camping is permitted in the Hurricane Ridge area with advance registration. Winter camps must be at least one-half mile from the Hurricane Ridge parking area.

Overnight parking is not permitted at Hurricane Ridge; parking and shuttle options are explained at the time of registration.

More information is available by calling Olympic National Park Visitor Center & Wilderness Information Center at 565-3100 or 565-3130.

Avalanche info

Up-to-date information about weather and avalanche risk is available from the Northwest Avalanche Center at www.nwac.us or by calling 206-526-6677.

Anyone planning to venture beyond the maintained downhill ski area or the immediate Hurricane Ridge area always should check with the Northwest Avalanche Center or a ranger for current conditions.

Webcam, weather station

Hurricane Ridge weather conditions are available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/olym and then clicking on “Webcams.”

The webcam image is updated every 15 minutes, although severe weather can cause webcam outages. Weather station information is provided hourly.