Snow for the holidaysHurricane Ridge offers skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoe walks

With Christmas in the rearview mirror and a new year looming, peninsula residents are sure to look for something to do.

One possibility for entertainment is some deep, white powder skiing at the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Area.

Hurricane Ridge Road — a 17-mile journey from close to sea level to 5,242 feet — will be open for daily use, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., through Jan. 2.

The Hurricane Ridge Sports Area is operated by the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club. The area started full season operation on Dec. 4 and has has two rope tows and a Poma lift for beginner to advanced skiers.

Passes

Both season passes and reduced cost tickets for just the bunny lift, the intermediate and bunny lifts or the Poma and all lifts — are outlined on the club’s website, www.hurricaneridge.com.

There also is a dedicated tubing run.

The club is offering free lift tickets to fourth- and fifth-graders for the 2016-2017 season.

Parents/guardians should bring proof of enrollment to the ticket window to receive a free ticket. Homeschoolers can bring proof of age.

Funding for the free lift tickets comes from the Hurricane Ridge Education Foundation.

For more information, call 848-667-7669 or email ski-school@hurricaneridge.com.

None of the ski area passes or tickets includes entrance to Olympic National Park.

As of last week, 62 inches of snow — more than five feet — had settled on the Ridge, according to the Northwest Avalanche Center.

Getting there

All vehicles, including those equipped with four-wheel drive, must carry snow chains to proceed up Hurricane Ridge Road beyond the Heart O’ the Hills toll station.

Entering the park at the Heart O’ the Hills station requires a daily or yearly pass.

A single-visit pass is $25 per vehicle or $10 per person. The Olympic National Park annual pass is $50.

According to the park service, Hurricane Ridge Road opens at 9 a.m. but times may vary depending on weather and road conditions.

The road closes to uphill traffic at 4 p.m. All vehicles must be off the Ridge and below the toll station by 5 p.m.

The park service encourages visitors to call 565-3131 for a 24-hour recording of current road and weather conditions. Visitors also can check the park’s Twitter feed at @HRWinterAccess.

Authorized businesses provide shuttle service to Hurricane Ridge. For information, inquire at the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center by calling 452-2363 or go to www.portangeles.org.

Private lessons

Private ski and snowboard lessons are available at the Ridge.

To book a private lesson, call 848-667-7669 or email skischool@hurricaneridge.com.

Families also can join a ranger-guided snowshoe walk. Walks are offered at 2 p.m. on weekends and holiday Mondays.

The walk lasts 1.5 hours and covers less than a mile. Snowshoes and instructions are provided.

Sign-up for the walk, which carries a small fee, begins at the Hurricane Ridge information desk 30 minutes before the walk.Reservations for school or community groups must be made in advance by calling 565-3136.