OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK — The rope tows are expected to be open today at Hurricane Ridge, after a delay from the planned opening date on Saturday due to weather.
The Hurricane Ridge Road was closed at about 10 a.m. Saturday because of dangerous road conditions, according to the Olympic National Park’s recorded hotline at 360-565-3131.
A winter storm has dropped some 24 inches of snow at the Ridge, the park said, bringing the total to about four feet.
“It’s supposed to snow a little more tonight,” said Russ Morrison of the Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club, which operates the ski area.
“Avalanche danger is up, so that’s a concern,” he added.
But weather permitting, the rope tows will be open today, with the POMA lift and tubing to be available later this winter.
Santa is also expected to be at the Ridge.
The plan is for the road to be closed again after this weekend and be reopened the day after Christmas to be open through Jan. 1.
Those who want to go to the Ridge are advised to be at the gate at Heart O’ the Hills before it opens at 9 a.m.
When the parking lot closes, usually before 10 a.m., the road will be closed to uphill traffic. Chains are required to travel on the road in winter.
For information about Hurricane Ridge and Hurricane Ridge Road on Saturday, call 360-565-3131 for a recorded message updated each morning by 8 a.m., and check twitter.com/HR WinterAccess.
For the latest on avalanche conditions, check nwac.us.
For the latest road conditions in the state, call 511.
An information sign at the Olympic National Park visitor center indicates the closure of Hurricane Ridge Road on Saturday because of winter conditions. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
