OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — After four months of waiting, it has finally happened.
The limited extended weekend schedule for Hurricane Ridge during late fall and winter lapsed last week.
A slew of government officials gathered at the mile-high visitor center Friday with representatives of area business and tourism organizations to welcome the start of all-week access to the popular Olympic National Park destination.
“This is the spirit of Port Angeles,” Port Angeles City Council member Cherie Kidd told the 50 people at the ceremony.
She was referring to the approximately $77,000 raised in donations to help pay for additional snowplowing that allows the road to be open seven days a week.
The donation drive ended in August.
Contributions included $5,000 from the city of Sequim, $20,000 from Clallam County and $20,000 from the city of Port Angeles.
Another $250,000 in federal funds is being used to keep the road open daily, weather dependent, year-round.
“This is a really good example of a tremendous partnership between the community and the park service,” said park Superintendent Karen Gustin.
The Department of Interior is providing the matching funds on a trial basis for up to three years.
The fundraising effort will likely have to start again next year to keep the trial going, unless more federal funds are allocated.
Among those gathered at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center on Friday was a staff member for Rep. Norm Dicks, who represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
Dicks, D-Belfair, helped secure the federal funding on a trial basis.
The Ridge offers downhill and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, guided snowshoe walks and sledding.
Also starting Friday was twice-a-day shuttle service to the Ridge from Port Angeles.
Willie Nelson’s All Points Charters & Tours is providing the service Wednesdays through Sundays from the Port Angeles Visitor Center, in front of The Landing mall, 121 E. Railroad Ave., and from the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
The departing times are 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. The shuttle returns to Port Angeles at about 11 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
The cost is $10 per person. The park entrance fee via shuttle is $5 for those without a pass.
Nelson said he charges $20 if someone wants to leave at 9 a.m. and return at 3:45 p.m.
The additional cost is for saving the seat, he said.
Nelson said he took a full load (13 passengers) on the first trip Friday, but that was mostly people going to the celebration. He said he took another two up on the second trip.
The Ridge was closed Saturday because of bad weather.
Nelson said he has booked trips for two people Wednesday and “several groups” Dec. 26.
He said he expects business to pick up after Christmas.
Since an extra $2,000 was raised than needed through donations, those funds will be used to subsidize the shuttle service if needed, Russ Veenema, Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce executive director, said in November.
Veenema said Friday that the chamber is starting its television advertisements in the Puget Sound area early this year in order to promote the additional Ridge access.
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is open only Friday through Sunday. The hours are from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The rope tow and poma lift, operated by the Hurricane Ridge Ski Club, will be open only Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays.
The ski season may start Dec. 26, said George Lawrence, club president.
Aramark, the company that provides concessions at the center, is now opening its shop Fridays. Previously, it was only open Saturdays and Sundays.
“We felt that it was a good change moving forward,” said Chris McKinley, sales director for Aramark.
He said the concessions aren’t open the rest of the week because it’s “difficult to gauge” how many more people will go to the Ridge.
Nelson said he doesn’t have a problem with customers bringing their ski or snowboard equipment onboard but that reservations are recommended.
They can be made by phoning him at 360-460-7131.
If driving to the Ridge, always phone the Road & Weather hot line at 360-565-3131 first to make sure a sudden snowstorm hasn’t closed the road.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
