Olympic National Park guide · 1 min read
Winter Snow Play at Hurricane Ridge
Hurricane Ridge sits at 5,242 feet, high enough to stay buried in snow for much of the winter.
That makes it the park's main spot for cold-weather fun. People come up to ski downhill or across country, ride snowboards, sled, tube and snowshoe. When the weather allows, the road up to the ridge opens to winter visitors from Friday through Sunday.
Tubing is open to every age at the tubing park inside the Hurricane Ridge Ski Area. Buy tickets at the trailer the ski area runs in the parking lot, and ride only on tubes the ski area hands out. The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area can tell you more about the tubing park. Younger kids have their own spot: the Children's Snowplay Area, just west of the parking lot, is set aside for sledders eight and under. Bring a tube or sled for them, but leave anything with runners at home.
For quieter travel, the ridge offers 15 to 20 miles of cross-country ski and snowshoe routes. None are groomed or marked, though two follow unplowed roads that are usually simple to follow. If you are just learning, stick to the gentle meadows above the parking area, since flat ground is scarce elsewhere. Experienced backcountry skiers will find slopes and bowls to explore. Snowshoers and walkers should keep to one side of ski tracks and stay out of the downhill area.
Conditions up here can turn fast. High winds and blizzards happen often, and storms or avalanche danger can shut the road at any time. Expect steep terrain, and look up the latest avalanche report before setting out. Every vehicle heading above the Heart O' the Hills entrance station must carry tire chains, including four-wheel drives, whatever the tires or the weather.
