A series of November storms brought heavy rain and flooding to the Olympic Peninsula lowlands. The park’s road crew has been busy clearing storm-damaged and debris-strewn roadways, but shifted its attention in late November to plowing snow on the Hurricane Ridge Road.

“Thanksgiving weekend begins the snow season at Hurricane Ridge,” Olympic National Park Acting Superintendent Rachel Spector said. “Weather permitting, the Hurricane Ridge Road will be open Friday through Sunday throughout the winter season.”

A full listing of winter services and facility schedules for the Hurricane Ridge area is shown below.

Hurricane Ridge Road

Weather permitting; the Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to be open Friday-Sunday and Monday holidays through March 26. The road will be closed on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and is scheduled to be open daily from Monday, Dec. 26-Monday, Jan. 2.

All vehicles, including four-wheel drive, are required to carry tire chains when traveling above the Heart O’the Hills entrance station between Thanksgiving and the last weekend of March.

“Having a set of chains in every vehicle gives an extra safety margin when road conditions worsen during the day,” Spector said.

Winter storms can close or delay opening of the Hurricane Ridge Road; high winds and blizzard conditions are not uncommon. Road and weather condition updates are available on the park’s Road and Weather Hotline at 565-3131 or @HRWinterAccess on Twitter.

The Hurricane Ridge Road also may close temporarily if the parking lot becomes completely full. Park staff urges Hurricane Ridge visitors to carpool and pay extra attention to making the best possible use of the parking area.

Weather permitting, Hurricane Ridge Road usually opens at 9 a.m., but times vary according to road and weather conditions. The road closes to uphill traffic at 4 p.m. and all vehicles must exit the Heart of the Hills entrance station by 5 p.m.

Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center

The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center is scheduled to be open from 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday-Sunday and Monday holidays through March 26. It also will be be open 9 a.m.-4 p.m. daily from Dec. 26-Jan. 2. The information desk will be staffed from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. whenever the visitor center is open. The visitor center will be closed on Dec. 25.

Deli, ski shop

The Hurricane Ridge Deli and Rental Shop, with both ski and snowshoe rentals, is scheduled to be open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends and holiday Mondays from Dec. 10-March 26. It also will be open daily from Dec. 26-Jan. 2 and closed on Dec. 25.

Ranger-led snowshoe walks

Ranger-led snowshoe walks for individuals and families are offered at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays, Dec. 17-March 26. The walks last 90 minutes and are less than one mile in length. A $7 participation fee is charged for adults, with a $3 fee for youth from 6-15 years old. Admission is free for children 5 years of age and younger.

Space on the walks is limited to 25 individuals, so people should sign up at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk beginning 30 minutes before the scheduled walk. Organized groups such as youth or school groups must make advance reservations for snowshoe walks. Group snowshoe walks are provided Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays at 10:30 a.m. for groups holding reservations. Space is limited, so group leaders should call Olympic National Park at 565-3136 for reservations and more information.

Ski and snowboard, tubing area

Weather permitting, the Hurricane Ridge Ski, Snowboard and Tubing Area will operate from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays beginning Sunday, Dec. 4-March 26. The area also is scheduled to be open daily from Dec. 23-Jan. 2 except Dec. 25. More information about the Hurricane Ridge downhill ski and snowboard area is available at hurricaneridge.com, or by calling 848-667-7669.

Tubing, sliding

The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard area operates a tubing park; check hurricaneridge.com for cost information, details and updates.

Tubing and sliding are permitted free of charge 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.

Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing

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.

Although close to town, Hurricane Ridge is subject to extreme winter conditions, including sudden storms, white-outs and avalanches, making planning and preparation for winter conditions vitally important.

Information about ski and snowshoe routes and trails is available at park visitor centers, the Olympic National Park website or the park’s visitor newspaper, The Bugler.

Lessons

Hurricane Ridge offers snowboard and downhill ski lessons. For private and drop-in group lessons, reservations are highly recommended. Email info@hurricaneridge.com or call the ski school director at 848-667-7669 by Friday prior to the desired lesson to set up lessons ahead of time or check availability at the ticket trailer.

Allow ample time if you are renting equipment at the ridge shop. Skis and boots are available for rental. Snowboards are not; they may be rented at North By Northwest in Port Angeles, the closest rental shop to Hurricane Ridge.

Ridge activities organizers recommend all skiers and snowboarders wear helmets.

All lessons require a lift ticket. Lessons vary 60-to 90 minutes, depending on class size and lesson type.

Ski school

The ridge also hosts a three-consecutive-week ski school program that starts at 11 a.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m. Sundays. Group lessons start at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Lesson sign-up must be completed a minimum of 30 minutes before the lesson start time.

Sign up at the ridge, or for reservations during non-operating hours, call 848-667 7669 or email skischool@hurricaneridge.com.

Cost is $75 for three consecutive, 90-minute lessons; $65 for toddlers (ages 4-5).

All lessons require a lift ticket.

Overnight camping

Overnight wilderness camping is permitted in the Hurricane Ridge area with advance registration. Winter camps must be at least one-half mile from the Hurricane Ridge parking area.

Overnight parking is not permitted at Hurricane Ridge; parking and shuttle options are explained at the time of registration. More information is available by calling Olympic National Park Visitor Center & Wilderness Information Center at 565-3100.

Webcam available

Hurricane Ridge weather conditions are available on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/olym and then clicking on “Webcams.” The webcam image is updated every 15 minutes (although severe weather can cause webcam outages); weather station information is provided hourly The Olympic National Park Visitor Center & Wilderness Information Center at the base of Hurricane Ridge Road, is open daily throughout the winter from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. except for Thanksgiving and Christmas.

More information about visiting Hurricane Ridge and other areas of Olympic National Park is available at www.nps.gov/olym.