NOTE: “Today” and “tonight” refer to Friday, Jan. 1.
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Hurricane Ridge Road will be open, weather permitting, to skiers and others who want a day in the snow today through Monday.
The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club will man the bunny and intermediate rope tows through Sunday at the Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area.
The Poma lift will become operational as soon as possible, club members said.
As of Wednesday, 86 inches — more than 7 feet — of snow were reported at the Ridge snow stake.
Ridge Road
Chains are required for Hurricane Ridge Road, which was reported as being snowy and icy earlier this week.
For road conditions and closures, call the road condition hotline at 360-565-3131 or check the park’s Twitter account at www.twitter.com/HRWinterAccess.
Park entry
Entry to the park is $20 per vehicle for a seven-day pass. An annual pass is available for $40.
A lifetime senior pass is available for $10 for park users 62 and older, and an active-duty military member or dependent pass is available for free.
The Hurricane Ridge Lodge is open when the road is.
The Hurricane Ridge snack bar and ski shop, which offers both ski and snowshoe rentals, is scheduled to be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. today through Monday.
Guided snowshoe tours, cross-country skiing and other usual park activities are available.
Snowshoe walks
Ranger-guided snowshoe walks will be offered at 2 p.m. today through Monday.
Registration for the 90-minute hikes is at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk beginning at 1:30 p.m. each day.
The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for youths ages 6 to 15, while children 5 and younger are admitted free.
Snowshoe walks are less than a half-mile on mostly level terrain.
Snowshoes are also available for rent for independent hikes.
Cross-country skiing
Opportunities for cross-country skiers and snowshoers 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.
For more information, call the Olympic National Park Visitor Center, which is open daily, at 360-565-3130.
Shuttle to snow
For those who prefer to leave their cars at a lower elevation, All Points Charter & Tours provides a shuttle bus to Hurricane Ridge twice daily each day that the road to the Ridge is open.
The shuttle departs at 9 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. from The Landing mall, 115 E. Railroad Ave, and at 9:05 a.m. and 12:35 p.m. from the Vern Burton Community Center, 308 E. Fourth St.
Return trips from the Ridge depart at 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Shuttle rides are $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 7 to 12, with children 6 and younger riding for free.
Olympic National Park individual entry is $7 per person 16 and older and is not included in the shuttle fee.
For reservations on Hurricane Ridge shuttle buses, phone 360-460-7131.
