OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Entrance fees to Hurricane Ridge will be waived today through Sunday.
And Olympic National Park will waive them again next weekend, as well.
While fees are waived for the popular snow-play area south of Port Angeles during the last two weekends in March, fees still will be charged at all other park entrances, and camping fees will remain in effect at the Heart O’ the Hills campground.
“We understand the importance of Hurricane Ridge to our local and regional community, including anyone interested in snow sports, and we recognize the impact caused by the recent landslide and road closure,” said Olympic National Park Superintendent Karen Gustin.
“To celebrate the road’s reopening and coincide with special events planned by Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club, we are providing fee-free entry for the last two weekends of March.”
The Brad Stenger Memorial Citizen Races for downhill skiers and snowboarders will be held Saturday and Sunday, and the Strapless Weekend snowskate event will be March 27-28.
More information about these events is available on the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club Web site, www.hurricaneridge.com/events.
Hurricane Ridge Road was closed Jan. 18 when a slope below the roadway slid downhill, taking with it most of both travel lanes along a 100-foot-long section of road.
The road reopened Feb. 26, after the contract to repair the slide was awarded to contractor Port Angeles contractor Bruch & Bruch Construction Inc. on Jan. 22.
The total repair cost was initially estimated to reach $2.8 million. The final price was about $1.8 million.
“Not only was the project finished a week early, it came in under budget,” Gustin said.
Weather permitting, Hurricane Ridge Road is open Friday through Sunday each week during the winter; the downhill ski area and snack bar/ski shop are scheduled to be open Saturdays and Sundays.
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk will be staffed and a guided snowshoe walk will be offered at 2 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone interested in participating in the snowshoe walk should sign up in advance at the information desk.
Park entrance fees are $15 per vehicle for a single visit — with the fee good for up to seven consecutive days at any entrance fee area — or $5 per person on foot, bicycle or motorcycle.
Children 15 years old and younger are admitted free of charge.
An annual pass costs $30 and is good at any park entrance station for one year from the month of purchase.
The nightly fee for camping in an established campground ranges from $10 to $18, depending upon the location and season.
Permits are required for all overnight trips into the wilderness backcountry. Permits for a group are $5, plus $2 per person per night.
For more information, see www.nps.gov/olym or phone the Olympic National Park Visitor Center at 360-565-3130.
For information about the weather — and whether or not Hurricane Ridge Road is open — phone 360-565-3131.
