OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — Throw some wax on the skis, and dust off the parka.
Hurricane Ridge will open to organized skiing activities this Saturday. It marks the first time the mountain will hold its ski opener before Christmas in several years.
The intermediate and bunny rope tows will each be operating this weekend.
All-day lift tickets for the intermediate and bunny lifts cost $20. Half day tickets can be purchased for $18 starting at 1 p.m.
Single season passes cost $200 and a family pass $400. That includes access to all lifts, including the poma, for the entire season.
Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to open daily from 9 a.m. to dusk, weather permitting, for the next two weeks. All drivers are required to have tire chains.
Always check road and weather conditions before your trip by phoning the park’s 24-hour road conditions hot line at 360-565-3131.
Information on current weather conditions at the Ridge is available at http://tinyurl.com/8rdfdk.
For more information on ski and snowboard activities at the Ridge, visit www.hurricaneridge.com.
Follows, from the National Weather Service ( http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sew/ ), is the official forecast for Hurricane Ridge:
Late Afternoon: A 40 percent chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. Southwest wind around 5 mph.
Tonight: A 40 percent chance of rain before 10pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. West wind at 6 mph becoming north.
Saturday: A 30 percent chance of snow after 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 34. East wind between 5 and 7 mph. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Saturday Night: Snow, mainly after 10pm. Low around 27. Calm wind becoming southeast between 6 and 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Sunday: Rain. High near 30. South southwest wind between 10 and 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%.
Sunday Night: Rain showers. Snow level 5400 feet. Low around 29. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday: Snow showers. High near 30. Chance of precipitation is 80%.
Monday Night: Snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 21.
Tuesday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 21.
Tuesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 14.
Wednesday: A chance of snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 27.
Wednesday Night: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 25.
Thursday: A chance of snow. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36.
Thursday Night: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 22.
Christmas Day: A chance of rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36.
