I LIKE SNOW as much as the next guy.
But I think we can all agree, last year’s snowpocalypse was a little much.
When a man can’t even drive home from work, something that occurred more than once last winter, I’d say we’ve hit a tipping point.
We’ve already got some snow on the mountains, and we just entered November. Let’s hope that’s a harbinger of things to come on the North Olympic Peninsula.
I’m good with unique little snowflakes decorating the mountains. Hurricane Ridge is where that stuff belongs.
We couldn’t have our little piece of winter paradise without it.
Winterfest
The same could be said of Winterfest.
The annual winter sports fundraiser helps keep organized skiing and snowboarding afloat on the Ridge.
It returns to the Vern Burton Community Center, located at 308 E. Fourth St. in Port Angeles, the weekend of Nov. 20-21.
The two-day event begins with the “Dinner and a Movie” celebration on Nov. 20.
Guests will dine on a prime rib dinner, view the later Warren Miller film “Dynasty” and listen to the Port Angeles High School Jazz Band pipe out a few tunes.
There’s also a no-host happy hour for boozers and an oyster bar for couples looking to reignite some since-forgotten passions.
Advance tickets for the event cost $40 per person and can be bought at Brown’s Outdoor, Necessities and Temptations and Port Book and News in Port Angeles.
The annual ski swap is set for Nov. 21, scheduled from noon to 3:30 p.m.
Those looking to participate can drop off gear between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.
Whatever goes unsold can be picked up afterward. Admission is $3 per person or $7 for the entire family.
Things come to a close later in the day with an encore presentation of “Dynasty” at 7 p.m.
For more information, visit www.hurricaneridge.com.
Another club
A new club will be joining the Peninsula’s winter sports scene.
The Olympic Peninsula Ski Club will hold its first organization meeting Nov. 10 at the Sequim Library Meeting Room, 630 N. Sequim Ave., from 7-8 p.m.
The focus of the club is to bring together adults interested in taking ski trips to locations throughout Western Washington.
It would operate a lot like the Over the Hill Gang, an international ski club that organizes group skiing activities for seniors.
This allows for skiers to get in on group rates, save money on transportation costs and have some company on the slopes.
“I see this as a very grass roots club, so a lot of it will depend upon what the people want to do,” organizer Margaret Low said.
“What I would like is a group of people who are interested in skiing, particularly mid-week skiing at Cascade ski areas, who will be willing to share travel and transportation costs and go on trips.”
For more information, call Low at 360-417-5503.
No snowplay
• As was expected, the Sunrise Snowplay Area at Hurricane Ridge is no more.
Olympic National Park decided to close down the tubing and sledding location because of a variety of safety problems. I’m pretty sure this didn’t send shock waves through the land.
• The tire chain requirement for drivers heading up Hurricane Ridge Road between Nov. 20 and March 28 is back.
All vehicles are required to carry chains when traveling above the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station during that time.
This requirement applies to all vehicles, regardless of tire type, and applies to all road and weather conditions.
Nobody is going to be searching through your vehicle for these things, but you surely don’t want to be that guy when Mother Nature comes calling.
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Matt Schubert is the outdoors and sports columnist for the Peninsula Daily News. His column regularly appears on Thursdays and Fridays. He can be reached at matt.schubert@peninsuladaily news.com.