Hurricane Ridge in Winter: What to Know

Hurricane Ridge in winter is the snowy heart of Olympic National Park, 17 miles above Port Angeles at the end of Hurricane Ridge Road. On open days you can snowshoe with a ranger, ski or tube at a small lift-served area, or let the kids sled in their own snow play area. It takes more planning than a summer visit, so here is what the park and the ski area say, as of October 2026.

The winter season, as of October 2026

The park’s Hurricane Ridge in Winter page says the season generally runs from late November through the end of March. As of mid-October 2026, that page still describes the 2025-26 season, and the park had not yet posted dates for this winter. Treat the details below as last season’s pattern and check the NPS page before you go.

From March 31 through April 30, the park says the road may open or close depending on snow and weather. Our best time to visit Olympic National Park guide covers the rest of the park in winter.

Driving Hurricane Ridge Road in winter

Hurricane Ridge Road is the only way up, and winter rules are strict. All vehicles, four wheel drive included, must carry tire chains or alternate traction devices as defined by the Washington State Patrol. That applies above the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station from November 1 through April 1, whatever your tires or the weather.

Hurricane Ridge Road winter rules compared

Rule	What the park says
Open days	Friday to Sunday and some holidays, weather permitting
Uphill hours	Typically 9 am to 4 pm; can open as late as noon
Leave by	All vehicles below Heart O’ the Hills by 5 pm
Chains	Carried by every vehicle, November 1 to April 1
Closed	Thanksgiving and Christmas, and any day storms make it unsafe

High winds and blizzards are common. Call the recorded road and weather line at 360-565-3131 or check the park’s alerts before you leave town. Entrance fees are collected at Heart O’ the Hills; our Olympic National Park entrance fees guide lists the passes.

Parking at the top is limited. The ski area says cars may be held at the entrance station when the upper lot is full, and suggests reaching the gate by 8:45 am on busy powder days.

Facilities since the Day Lodge fire

The Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge, built in 1952, burned in May 2023. Today temporary trailers hold restrooms and a visitor contact station, staffed on and off from Friday to Sunday. There is no indoor warming area, no food service, no drinking water, and the park says snowshoe and ski rentals are not available. It suggests using your car as the warming area and bringing extra food, water, dry clothes and blankets or sleeping bags.

A new lodge is coming, but not soon. The park’s project page, updated in August 2026, says construction could start in 2028 at the earliest and take two to three years.

Ranger-led snowshoe walks

Ranger snowshoe walks are the easiest way to try the sport. Last season they began on December 26, 2025, at 1:30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Each walk lasted about 1.5 hours, covered less than a mile and climbed about 130 feet, with snowshoes and instruction provided.

• Sign up at the visitor contact station in the parking area at 1 pm on the day; places are first come, first served.
• Groups are limited to 20 people, and beginners are welcome.
• Dress in layers with warm, waterproof boots, a hat, mittens, sunscreen and sunglasses.
• Walks can be cancelled at any time, and are always cancelled when the road is closed.

For this winter’s schedule or to ask about accommodations, call the visitor center at 360-565-3130.

The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area

The Hurricane Ridge Ski and Snowboard Area is a small, local area run by a nonprofit, the Hurricane Ridge Education Foundation. Weather permitting, it runs two rope tows and a Poma lift, and the park’s winter newspaper calls it one of only three ski lifts in national parks in the country.

Last season it opened Saturdays, Sundays and holiday Mondays through March, 10 am to 4 pm. The ski area’s website says its dates are tentative and depend on enough snow and fair weather, so check there for lessons, rentals and opening day.

Sledding and tubing

Sledding is allowed in only two places. The Children’s Snowplay Area, west of the parking lot, is free for children aged eight and under; bring your own tube or sled, but no sleds with runners or wooden toboggans. Tubing for all ages is at the ski area’s tubing park, with tickets from the ski area trailer in the lot and tubes supplied.

Snowshoe and cross-country routes

The park counts 15 to 20 miles of snowshoe and ski routes from the parking area. None are groomed or marked, and gentle beginner terrain is limited to the meadows above the lot. Snowshoers and walkers should keep to one side of ski tracks and stay out of the downhill ski area.

Hurricane Ridge winter routes by difficulty

Route	One way	Park rating
The Meadows	Short loops	Easiest
Hurricane Hill Road	1.3 miles	More difficult
Obstruction Point Road to Waterhole	3.4 miles	More difficult
Hurricane Hill Route	1.6 miles	Most difficult
Sunrise Ridge	2.1 miles	Most difficult

The unplowed Hurricane Hill Road is sheltered by forest, which makes it a good choice in wind. The summer path to the summit becomes a demanding snow route; our Hurricane Hill Trail guide describes it in summer. Sunrise Ridge and the far end of Obstruction Point Road cross avalanche-prone slopes.

Before any trip beyond the meadows, check the Northwest Avalanche Center forecast, be ready for steep terrain and stay off cornices on the downwind side of ridges.

How Friends of Olympic National Park helps

We are Friends of Olympic National Park (FONP), a volunteer led friends group based in Port Angeles. When snow closes the high country most of the week, we help bring the park to town through our Winter Perspectives lecture series, free evening talks with the people who study and care for the park.

Membership starts at $15 for students. Become a member and spend the winter with us.

Frequently asked questions