The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is a small ski area in the northwest United States, located on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington.
It is within Olympic National Park, seventeen miles south of Port Angeles.
Hurricane Ridge is one of only three lift-serviced ski areas operating in a U.S. National Park.
This area is typically open from mid-December through the end of March, weather permitting.
If you're planning a trip to Hurricane Ridge to ski or ride, here are a few tips you might find valuable :
- Call ahead
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 Road and Weather Hotline at 360.565.3131
- Arrive early
Traffic to to the ski area could get busy ( especially on weekends, and during school holidays )...
B/c the ski area is located on the National Park grounds, you'll have to pay entrance fee ( ON TOP OF YOUR LIFT TICKETS !! )... This can make quite a bottle neck at the entrance, and the line can stretch for a half mile...
🔥 If the parking lots get full early, you WON'T BE ABLE TO GET TO THE AREA... EVEN IF YOU PURCHASED YOUR LIFT TICKETS ONLINE !! 🔥
- Fill up your tank
The drive from the nearest gas station to the ski area is ~ 18-20 miles... And if you have to wait in car line, and you're already low on gas, you might have a problem...
- Bring (rubber) gloves you won't regret destroying
The main "lift" is a rope tow... sooo... if you've never used a rope tow, first, it's not easy ( especially at Hurricane Ridge with a pretty steep slope ), second - the rope tow can really make a number on your gloves...
Want To Ride For FREE ?
Hurricane Ski & Snowboard Area is small... I mean, REALLY small... it only has two main "lifts" ( rope tow, and poma lift )...
If you just want to do one run, or of you just want to snap a cool pic on top of the mountain, just grab your skis/snowboard , and walk uphill !!
It would better work when the ski area is closed, or after the season is over ( late March/early April )...
The views are absolutely magnificent !!! and just that is worth the trip !!
Below is a shirt video we shot during our trip :
Looking for more adventures while visiting Port Angeles area ?
