OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — A “grand winter opening” celebration will mark the beginning of Hurricane Ridge Road’s seven-day-per-week schedule at noon Friday, Dec. 17.
Daily access to Hurricane Ridge’s skiing, snowshoeing and other winter fun will begin that day.
“We hope the public will join us and our many partners in celebrating the beginning of winter on the Ridge,” said Karen Gustin, Olympic National Park superintendent.
Until this year, Olympic National Park kept Hurricane Ridge Road open only Fridays through Sundays in the winter months.
A city, civic and business effort to raise $75,000 matched federal funding pays for plowing the road on the remaining days — unless falling snow precludes the operation until the weather clears.
Funds allowed the park to hire eight new staff members to keep the road open.
Weather permitting, Hurricane Ridge Road will be open daily from 9 a.m. to dusk through the winter season, except for Christmas Day.
Starting Dec. 17, a 12-passenger shuttle bus will leave twice a day Wednesday through Sunday from two Port Angeles locations: the Port Angeles Visitor Center, in front of The Landing mall at 121 E. Railroad Ave.; and the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
All Points Charters and Tours owner Willie Nelson is working with the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, the city of Port Angeles and the park to transport passengers to the popular snow-play spot 17 miles south of Port Angeles.
Shuttle vans will depart from the Railroad Avenue visitor center at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and will pick up passengers at the Vern Burton center at 9:05 a.m. and 1:05 p.m. before the 45-minute drive to the Ridge.
Vans will leave Hurricane Ridge at about 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m., though scheduling details will remain flexible during the start-up period for this new service, the park said.
Round-trip tickets are $10 per person. The park said that rates for special circumstances are under development and will be made available soon.
In addition, park entrance fees — $5 per person for those 16 years and older — will be required at the park entrance station near Heart O’ the Hills on Hurricane Ridge Road. Park and national public land entrance passes will be honored.
Advance reservations for the shuttle bus are recommended.
To make reservations, phone All Points Charters and Tours at 360-565-1139 or 360-460-7131.
All vehicles, including four-wheel-drive vehicles, are required to carry tire chains when traveling above the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station in winter.
Once visitors arrive, they can ski, snowshoe and play on snowboards and tubes.
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be open beginning Dec.17.
The information desk will be staffed daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., except when rangers are outdoors leading snowshoe walks or assisting visitors.
The snack bar and ski shop, with both ski and snowshoe rentals, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday beginning this coming Saturday through March 27.
It also will be open during the Christmas holiday from Sunday, Dec. 26, through Sunday, Jan. 2, as well as on Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 17, and Presidents Day on Monday, Feb. 21.
The Olympic National Park Visitor Center, at the base of Hurricane Ridge Road, is open daily throughout the winter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except on Christmas.
Weather permitting, the downhill ski and snowboard area will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from this coming Saturday through Sunday, March 27, expect for Christmas Day.
The ski tows also will be open Monday, Dec. 27, and Friday, Dec. 31, as well as Jan. 17 and Feb. 21.
More information about the Hurricane Ridge downhill ski and snowboard area is available at www.hurricaneridge.com.
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.
Ranger-led snowshoe walks will be offered at 2 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays from this coming Friday through March 27.
The walks last 90 minutes and are less than one mile in length.
Space is limited, so people should register at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk 30 minutes before the scheduled walk.
A donation of $5 is suggested.
Organized groups such as youth or school groups must make advance reservations for snowshoe walks. Group snowshoe walks are provided Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays at 10:30 a.m. for groups holding reservations.
To make reservations, phone 360-565-3136.
Tubing and sliding are permitted only 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.
Overnight wilderness camping is permitted in the Hurricane Ridge area with advanced registration.
Winter camps must be at least one-half mile from the Hurricane Ridge parking area. Overnight parking is not permitted at Hurricane Ridge.
