OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area’s opening day is tentatively planned for Saturday — the first opening in more than a year, according to members of the group that manages the lifts and runs.
On Sunday, Hurricane Ridge had 44 inches of snow, according to Olympic National Park, with the National Weather Service calling another inch or more to be added to that total by Friday.
Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Club members were at the site Sunday preparing the lifts and checking snow conditions in preparation for the first ski runs since it closed for the season at the end of March 2014.
Opening the area depends on if the park can open the road and if snow conditions are maintained.
Final determination for opening day will be announced Friday and will be posted on the club’s website at www.hurricaneridge.com, or at the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area Facebook page, said Frank Crippen, ski club member.
“If we open Saturday, it will be one of our earliest openings in recent years,” Crippen said.
“Any opening before Christmas is a good year,” he said.
The ski and snowboard area did not open during the 2014-15 season due to a lack of snow.
The snowpack never exceeded 22 inches from November 2014 through January 2015, and almost completely melted away during the warm winter rains last February and March.
According to National Weather Service and the U.S. Geological Survey, it was the most snowless winter on record in the Olympic Mountain Range, and the lack of snowpack dropped the region into a serious “snow drought” during this past summer.
Three to four feet of snow is required on the slopes for the ski area to open.
“We won’t know for certain until we get to Friday,” said Russ Morrison, ski club past president.
Even with snow on the slopes, windy conditions can scour snow from ski areas, so there might be enough in one area, but not another, Morrison said.
“It’s so much better than last year,” he said.
Hurricane Ridge Road is open Fridays through Sundays, 9 a.m. to dusk, and on Monday holidays, weather permitting.
It is scheduled to be open daily during the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
The road might be closed at any time if weather or road conditions deteriorate, and all vehicles must carry chains.
For current road conditions, phone the park’s automated system at 360-565-3131.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
