OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The ski tows will be operating and rangers will lead snowshoe walks at Hurricane Ridge throughout the long holiday weekend that includes Monday.
Saturday through Monday of the Presidents Day weekend, ski tows will be open at the popular snowplay area south of Port Angeles from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., weather permitting.
The bunny lift rope tow costs $12 for both all day and half day.
Intermediate and bunny lifts are $24 for all day and $22 for half day.
The Poma lift is $32 for all day and $30 for half day.
For more information, visit www.hurricaneridge.com.
Ranger-led walks
Ranger-led snowshoe walks for individuals and families will be offered at 2 p.m. today, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
The walks last 90 minutes and are less than one mile in length.
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.
Suggested donation is $5.
Group snowshoe walks are available at 10:30 a.m. each day for those who have made reservations at 360-565-3136.
The Hurricane Ridge snack bar and ski shop, which offers both ski and snowshoe rentals, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
Opportunities for cross-country skiers and snowshoe walkers at Hurricane Ridge 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.
Children’s fun
Tubing and sliding are permitted only for children 8 and younger at the Small Children’s Snowplay Area just west of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
The visitor center is open when Hurricane Ridge Road is open.
The visitor center has restrooms, exhibits, a movie, a warming area and an information desk.
Hurricane Ridge Road, accessible via Race Street in downtown Port Angeles, is open daily from 9 a.m. until dusk, weather permitting.
All vehicles, including four-wheel-drive vehicles, must carry tire chains when traveling above the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station until April 1.
Entrance fees are collected at Heart O’ the Hills entrance station whenever the road is open.
Entrance pass
A seven-day entrance pass, which allows a private vehicle to enter any of the park’s roadways, costs $15.
The Olympic National Park Annual Pass, good for one year after the purchase date, costs $30.
Those who don’t want to drive can hire van service.
All Points Charters & Tours provides twice-daily van service from downtown Port Angeles to Hurricane Ridge from Wednesdays through Sundays.
To reserve a spot on a van, phone 360-460-7131 or email tours@goallpoints.com.
Shuttle vans leave the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center on Railroad Avenue at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. and will pick up passengers at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., at 9:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. before the 45-minute drive to Hurricane Ridge.
Vans leave Hurricane Ridge at about 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The round-trip fare is $20 per person.
That doesn’t include the entrance fee for Olympic National Park.
Information about ski and snowshoe routes and trails is available at park visitor centers, the Olympic National Park website at www.nps.gov/olym or the park’s visitor newspaper, the Bugler.
Road and weather condition updates are posted at www.nps.gov/olym or by phoning the park’s hotline at 360-565-3131.
More information is available by phoning the Olympic National Park Visitor Center & Wilderness Information Center at 360-565-3100 or 360-565-3130.
