Call the Road & Weather Hotline at 360-565-3131 for current Ridge information or click here for the latest report!

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Hurricane Ridge Road
Tubing & Sliding
Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center & Ski Shop
Snowshoe Walks
Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Routes
Downhill Skiing
Ski & Snowshoe Route Map

Hurricane Ridge Road  

Click here for FAQ About Tire Chain Requirement, including info on Port Angeles-area tire chain sources

To improve public safety, all vehicles are required to carry chains when traveling above the Heart O’the Hills entrance station on the Hurricane Ridge Road between November 20, 2009 and March 28, 2010. 

This requirement applies to all vehicles (including 4-wheel drive), regardless of tire type, and applies to all road and weather conditions. Additional requirements, such as traction tires or chains on vehicles may also be enacted when conditions warrant. Drivers must comply with posted traction requirements.

Having a set of chains in every vehicle that travels to Hurricane Ridge will provide a greater margin of safety when sudden storms arrive or road conditions worsen during the day; this requirement may create greater flexibility in keeping the road open during times when conditions are marginal.

This regulation is included within the Olympic National Park 2009-10 Superintendent’s Compendium.

Barring heavy snows or winter storms, the Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to be open 9 a.m. to dusk, Friday through Sunday, November 20, 2009 through March 28, 2010.

The road will be closed Monday through Thursday during the winter season, except for Monday holidays and an extended period during the Christmas-New Year’s holiday.

During the holiday period, the road is scheduled to be open daily from Friday, December 18, 2009 through Sunday, January 3, 2010, except for Friday, December 25. The road is also scheduled to be open on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 18) and Presidents Day (Monday, February 15).

Winter conditions such as storms, drifting snow, or avalanche danger may delay or prohibit the road from opening or may force an early closure. Human safety is the most important consideration.

The Hurricane Ridge Road may also close temporarily if the parking lot becomes completely full. All vehicles must park within the Hurricane Ridge parking lot; roadside parking is only permitted at the Sunrise Snowplay Area. To make best use of the available parking spaces, park staff urges Hurricane Ridge visitors to carpool whenever possible and pay extra attention to making the best use of parking spaces.

Recorded information about Hurricane Ridge Road and weather conditions is available 24 hours a day at (360) 565-3131. Current conditions are also posted on the park's website.

Entrance fees are collected at the Heart O’the Hills entrance station whenever the road is open. Olympic’s seven-day entrance pass, which allows a private vehicle to enter any of the park’s roadways, costs $15. The Olympic National Park Annual Pass, good for one year after the purchase date, costs $30.

NEW! Tubing and Sliding
Because of the potential for serious injury and the difficulty of providing a safe experience, tubing and sliding are permitted only for children eight years of age and younger, at the Small Children’s Snowplay Area at Hurricane Ridge. This area, just west of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, is closely managed and monitored for safe use.

The Sunrise snowplay area has been closed due to hazards associated with the site.   

These include:

• the site's location next to the road, which has led to children and adults actually sliding into the road;
• the lack of parking has resulted in both vehicles and pedestrians using the road's travel lanes for parking and walking, creating extremely hazardous conditions during the icy and snowy winter months. 
• plowing and sanding operations are impossible when people and vehicles are along or in the road.

If at any time during the winter season, conditions become too dangerous for sliding or if adequate staffing is unavailable, the Small Children’s Snowplay Area will be closed to all use. Visitors should check at a park visitor center for current information.

Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center
The Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center will be open with restrooms and a warm seating area whenever the road is open, from November 20 through March 28.  Prior to November 20, the Visitor Center will not be fully open, but restrooms will remain available whenever the road is open.

Beginning on Saturday, December 19, the information desk will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through March 28. The desk will be staffed on Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 18) and Presidents Day (February 15) as well.

Snack Bar & Ski Shop
The snack bar and ski shop, with ski and snowshoe rentals will be open on Saturdays and Sundays from December 12 through March 28; along with Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Monday, January 18) and Presidents Day (Monday, February 15) and during the holiday period from Monday, December 28 through Sunday, January 3.

Snowshoe Walks
Snowshoe walks for individuals and families will be offered at 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays, beginning on Saturday, December 19 through March 28.

Snowshoe walks will also be offered at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, January 1, 2010.

The walks last 90 minutes and are less than one mile in length. Space on walks is limited, so people should register at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk 30 minutes before the scheduled walk.

A $5 donation from each snowshoe walk participant helps the park provide snowshoe walks and repair and replace snowshoes.

Organized groups such as youth or school groups must make advance reservations for snowshoe walks. Group walks are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturdays and Sundays and last 90 minutes. Space is limited, so groups should call Olympic National Park at (360) 565-3136 for reservations and more information.

Cross-Country Ski & Snowshoe Routes
Unmarked and ungroomed routes give cross-country skiers and snowshoers a chance to explore the forests and meadows around Hurricane Ridge.

These routes range in difficulty from easy to quite challenging. Check at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center for information and current conditions.

Avalanche awareness is a necessity; always check on current conditions before heading out.

Map of Hurricane Ridge area ski and snowshoe routes. (PDF)

Downhill Skiing
Weather permitting, the downhill ski tows will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from December 12 through March 28.

The ski tows will also be open Friday, January 1 and the Monday holidays of January 18, (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) and February 15 (Presidents Day).

For more information about downhill skiing at Hurricane Ridge,visit www.hurricaneridge.com or call 360-457-2879.