PORT ANGELES — Prime rib, outdoor sports action videos, auctions and the hope for lots of snow will be on the menu Saturday at the Winterfest fundraiser.
The annual fundraiser to support skiing, outdoor education and volunteer operations at the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is undertaking a “Shack Attack” this year, seeking to paint and replace a roof on buildings used during winter operations.
Winterfest will offer a prime rib dinner prepared by Next Door Gastropub, a live and silent auction, and live music by the duo Bill and Rudy.
Doors will open at 5 p.m. at the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St., with the opening of silent auctions and a no-host bar.
Dinner will begin at 6 p.m. Along with smoked prime rib, the meal will include Thai spiced chicken, rice pilaf, roasted root vegetables, an oyster bar with locally grown oysters and dessert.
The evening will continue through 10 p.m.
Ticket prices
Individual tickets are $45 in advance and can be purchased until 5 p.m. today at Swain’s General Store at 602 E. First St., Necessities & Temptations gift shop at 217 N. Laurel St. and Brown’s Outdoor at 112 W. Front St. — all in Port Angeles — and Brian’s Sporting Goods at 609 W. Washington St. in Sequim.
Tickets also can be purchased at the door for $50.
Children 12 and younger will be admitted for $25.
Community tables for eight can be reserved for $320, with the group’s name prominently displayed.
Winterfest is the preseason fundraiser for the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation.
Ski lift operations
The foundation supports the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club, a nonprofit group that operates three ski lifts at the snowplay area south of Port Angeles on weekends and some holidays each winter, usually from mid-December through March.
“We hope to open by Christmas,” said Danielle Lawrence, marketing director for the club.
As of Wednesday, there were 21 inches of snow on the ground at the Waterhole Snotel station near Hurricane Ridge.
“It’s looking great. We’re just waiting for temperatures to drop and for it to dump [snow],” Lawrence said.
Only about four hours of work are needed before the lifts are ready for the ski season, she said.
Olympic National Park is scheduled to begin snowplow operations Nov. 27.
Each year, Winterfest supports capital improvements to the winter sports area and winter sports education at Hurricane Ridge.
The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation provides skiing scholarships for children.
All contributions are tax-deductible.
‘Shack Attack’
This year, the special project will be a “Shack Attack” to raise $5,000 for repairs and upgrades of ski area buildings, Lawrence said.
The plans are to replace the roof and add a fresh coat of paint to the intermediate motor house and paint the Ski Patrol’s “Zebra” headquarters Mountain Operations Center.
Winterfest silent and live auctions will feature two round-trip tickets for SeaPort Airlines, which will offer travel to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport beginning in 2016; two trips to Hawaii; a Victoria getaway; a collection of 48 wines; a ski trip to Whistler; winter and ski gear; and snowboard and ski equipment.
Films at 9 p.m.
At 9 p.m., five short ski and snowboard films — all winners of past VideOlympics contests — will be shown.
They include the 2011 winner, “Long Stories Short” by Ethan Strahan; the 2012 winner, “Shred the Ridge” by Evan Applegate, Ryan Tucker, Ted McColl and Jack McColl; the 2013 winner, “Olympic Decathlon” by Sean Halberg; and the 2014 winner, “VideOlympics 2014” by the Z Boys.
Also planned is a special screening of “See It, Ride It, Live It” by the Z Boys.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arice@peninsuladailynews.com.
