EVEN THOUGH TODAY is Black Friday there are many who are dreaming of white mountains.
With snow now accumulating up at Hurricane Ridge, the time for skiing and snowboarding is almost here.
Olympic National Park will begin its winter plowing season at Hurricane Ridge today.
Other services and activities at the Ridge will start in December.
Before proceeding, I should remind you that Hurricane Ridge will only be open on the weekends this winter, not all week as in recent years.
Starting today, Hurricane Ridge Road road will be open Fridays through Sunday and Monday holidays through March 31.
Of course, the road will only be open if weather conditions allow.
You can obtain road and weather condition updates on the Olympic National Park website (www.nps.gov/olym) or by calling the park’s Road and Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131.
Those who know what Twitter is can follow @HRWinterAccess to receive road condition updates.
To drive on Hurricane Ridge Road, everyone, even tough guys with four-wheel drive, must carry tire chains.
Enough road talk.
The downhill ski and snowboard area is scheduled to open Saturday, Dec. 1.
Hours of operation will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The Ridge’s ski and snowboard area, as well as Hurricane Ridge Road, will be open Friday, Dec. 21 to Wednesday, Dec. 26, for the Christmas holiday, and then Dec. 28 through Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day.
More information about the Hurricane Ridge downhill ski and snowboard area is available at hurricaneridge.com.
Hurricane Ridge also has many opportunities for cross-country skiers and snowshoe walkers of all skill levels.
Information about ski and snowshoe routes and trails is available at the park’s visitor centers, the Olympic National Park website or in the park’s visitor newspaper, the Bugler.
Anyone planning to ski or snowshoe beyond the immediate Hurricane Ridge area should sign in at the registration box in the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center.
They should also check the weather and avalanche conditions.
Up-to-date information about weather and avalanche risk is available at the Northwest Avalanche Center website at www.nwac.us or by calling 206-526-6677.
Here are some other things to know about winter fun at Hurricane Ridge:
■ Ranger-led snowshoe walks will be offered starting Saturday, Dec. 15.
The 90-minute walks are less than a mile in length.
To participate, sign up at the visitor center information desk beginning 30 minutes before the scheduled walk.
The cost is a suggested $5 donation from each participant. These donations will help the park continue to provide snowshoe walks and repair and replace snowshoes.
■ Tubing and sliding are permitted for children eight years of age and younger at the small children’s snowplay area just west of the Hurricane
Ridge Visitor Center.
The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard area will also operate a tubing park.
Check hurricaneridge.com for updates and details.
■ The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be open when the road up to it is open.
The visitor center has restrooms, exhibits, movie and a warming area.
Beginning December 15, the information desk will be staffed on weekends and Monday holidays.
■ The snack bar and ski shop, which offers ski and snowshoe rentals, will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. starting Saturday, Dec. 15.
Like most things at the Ridge, the snack bar and ski shop will be open on weekends and Monday holidays
■ The Olympic National Park Visitor Center and Wilderness Information Center at the base of Hurricane Ridge Road, is open daily throughout the winter from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Christmas Day.
■ If you’re the type who distrusts meteorologists, you’re probably also skeptical of weather hotlines.
Personally, I think you should give them a break — have you ever tried to predict the future?
But, thanks to technology, you can see the weather conditions for yourself.
On the park’s website, click “Photos and Multimedia,” and then “Webcams.”
The webcam images is updated every 15 minutes.
Send photos, stories
Have a photograph, a fishing or hunting report, an anecdote about an outdoors experience or a tip on gear or technique?
Send it to sports@peninsuladailynews.com or P.O. Box 1330, Port Angeles, WA 98362.
________
Outdoors columnist Lee Horton appears here Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5152 or at lhorton@peninsuladailynews.com.
