Hurricane Ridge
11 runs inside Olympic National Park. Rare national park skiing with Pacific Ocean views.
Season 2025 - 2026
Opens
20 Dec 2025
Closes
30 Mar 2026
Days open
100
Annual snow
400in
The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Hurricane Ridge's summit reaches 5,498 feet, dropping 698 vertical feet to a base at 4,800 feet across 11 runs within Olympic National Park, Washington. Terrain splits 40 per cent advanced, 35 per cent intermediate, 15 per cent expert and 10 per cent beginner, with average annual snowfall of roughly 279 inches. The resort carries Indy Pass affiliation and operates as a small, weekend-focused ski area within a national park rather than a conventional commercial resort. Three t-bars serve the entire mountain.
Hurricane Ridge is one of very few ski areas operating inside a US national park, giving it a genuinely wild, backcountry-adjacent atmosphere unlike almost any other lift-served mountain in the country. Its modest scale, with just three t-bars and eleven runs, reflects a deliberate choice to keep the operation low-impact within the park's protected setting. Sweeping views over the Pacific Ocean and the Olympic Mountains define the visitor experience as much as the skiing itself.
The ski area opened on 1 January 1958 with two rope tows relocated from Deer Park on Blue Mountain, which had been Washington's premier ski area through the 1930s. Deer Park's light snowfall, sun-exposed slopes, narrow winter access road and tiny 50-car parking lot made it impractical to expand, prompting the move. The National Park Service's Mission 66 program, launched in 1956 to modernise park infrastructure ahead of the agency's 1966 fiftieth anniversary, funded the paved road that made Hurricane Ridge accessible.
A Poma surface lift was added in 1971 as the ski area's infrastructure continued to develop within the park. On 7 May 2023, the historic Hurricane Ridge Day Lodge and visitor centre, built in 1952, was destroyed by fire during preparations for a planned renovation. Adult daily tickets run from 32 to 42 US dollars, with a season pass from 195 dollars, reflecting the modest, community-scale nature of skiing within the park.
699ft
Vertical
11
Runs
400in
Annual snow
Indy
Pass
The Terrain
11 runs
Hurricane Ridge is a small, community-run ski area inside Olympic National Park on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, with 11 runs and three surface lifts. The base sits at 4,800 ft (1,463 m) and the top at 5,500 ft (1,676 m), a vertical of about 700 ft (213 m). It is one of only a few ski areas in the United States operating entirely within a national park. The run split is 10% beginner, 35% intermediate, 40% advanced and 15% expert, weighted towards the steeper end for such a compact hill.
The front side holds the bunny slope, a small tubing park and one intermediate run, so beginners and families get an easy start. The real skiing is on the backside bowl served by the Poma lift, an in-bounds, backcountry-style mix of snowfields, trees and chutes. A ski school, ski team and terrain park round out the offering. Treat it as a friendly local hill with big views rather than a destination, ideal for learners, families and anyone visiting the national park who wants a few laps on a nonprofit mountain.
Terrain split
11
runs
11 runs across 4 grades
Beginner1 run · 10%
Intermediate4 runs · 35%
Advanced4 runs · 40%
Expert2 runs · 15%
Time it right
When to visit Hurricane Ridge
The 2025-26 season at Hurricane Ridge ran from 20 December 2025 to 30 March 2026, a comparatively short season of roughly fourteen weeks. Average annual snowfall of around 279 inches supports this window, though the ski area's weekend-only operating pattern, typical for a national park facility, shapes the practical rhythm of the season more than snowfall alone. Season dates can shift depending on weather and road conditions.
Midwinter, from January through February, typically offers the most reliable conditions on the mountain's advanced-weighted terrain. Given Hurricane Ridge's location within Olympic National Park and its road access via a route that can close during storms, conditions and access can vary considerably from week to week. Weekend operations are standard, reflecting the ski area's status as a small, community-run facility rather than a full-time commercial resort.
As an Indy Pass resort, Hurricane Ridge draws some visiting skiers holding that multi-resort pass in addition to its core Olympic Peninsula visitor base. The spectacular Pacific Ocean and Olympic Mountains views are a significant part of the experience regardless of skiing conditions. School holiday periods bring some increase in family visitation, weather and road access permitting.
Specific event programming beyond standard weekend operations is not confirmed in available resort information. Following the May 2023 fire that destroyed the historic day lodge, planned rebuilding efforts continue to shape the resort's near-term development. Hurricane Ridge's identity as a rare national-park ski area remains its clearest point of distinction each season.
Season 2025 - 2026
20 Dec 2025
Opens
30 Mar 2026
Closes
100
Days open
400 in
Annual snow
The record
Historical snowfall at Hurricane Ridge
Daily snow reports at Hurricane Ridge go back to 2025, 2 winters on the books. Open the record to compare winters, lifts and piste.
11 in
Snowiest day
7 Jan 2026
0 in
This winter · 2026-27
so far
68 in
Typical winter
average of complete seasons
Winter totals
in
Past wintersThis winter
Getting there
Getting to Hurricane Ridge, and where to stay
Hurricane Ridge sits within Olympic National Park on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, with a base elevation of 4,800 feet and a summit at 5,498 feet across a 698-foot vertical drop. This remote, mountainous setting offers sweeping views across both the Olympic Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, a combination unique among the ski areas covered here.
Port Angeles is the nearest town, serving as the gateway community to Olympic National Park and offering lodging, dining and services for visitors. The broader Olympic Peninsula combines the ski area with extensive hiking, wildlife viewing and coastal recreation, giving the region a four-season appeal well beyond winter sports. Seattle lies across Puget Sound, requiring a ferry crossing or a lengthy drive around the sound to reach the peninsula.
Hurricane Ridge Road, built during the National Park Service's Mission 66 program in the 1950s, provides the sole route from Port Angeles to the ski area, climbing steadily into the park. Winter driving conditions on this road can include snow and ice, and the road is subject to closure during storms or for avalanche control, a genuine consideration for visitors given the ski area's national park setting. There is no direct public transport service to the ski area itself.
William R. Fairchild International Airport in Port Angeles offers limited general aviation access, while Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, requiring a ferry or lengthy drive, provides far more extensive commercial flight options. Most Hurricane Ridge visitors travel from the Olympic Peninsula or the broader Puget Sound region by car and ferry rather than flying in directly.
Where to stay
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Hotels and lodges near Hurricane Ridge, powered by Stay22.
Good to know
Frequently asked
When is Hurricane Ridge's ski season?
Hurricane Ridge's 2025 - 2026 season typically runs from December 20 through March 30. That window is roughly 100 calendar days, though daily operations depend on snow cover, weather, and lift maintenance.
Resorts in Washington, Usa often announce firm dates closer to winter; check the live snow report before you travel if you are planning around opening weekend or spring closure.
How much skiable terrain does Hurricane Ridge have?
Hurricane Ridge publishes trail counts for its ski area spread across 11 named runs. That footprint is what most riders experience on a lift-served day. Side-country or hike-to terrain may sit outside these published numbers.
Use the trail map to see how the mountain is laid out and where the longest fall-line runs connect back to base.
What is the terrain like at Hurricane Ridge?
Trail grading at Hurricane Ridge breaks down roughly as 10% beginner, 35% intermediate, 40% advanced, 15% expert. The advanced and expert share is substantial, so confident skiers and riders will find plenty of steeper fall-line options once they leave the nursery slopes.
Percentages describe the resort's published piste mix, not vertical feet. A mountain with modest "expert" stats can still feel demanding if the steep terrain is long or exposed. Read the trail map alongside these numbers when planning your route.
How many lifts does Hurricane Ridge have?
Hurricane Ridge operates 3 lifts. The fleet includes 3 t-bars.
Lift mix affects how quickly you can lap your favourite zones. Gondolas and trams move big crowds to mid-mountain, while shorter chairs and surface lifts often serve learning areas or local pods. Check the live snow report on ski days for real-time open/closed status.
What is the elevation and vertical drop at Hurricane Ridge?
Base elevation at Hurricane Ridge is about 4,800 ft (1,463 m), with the summit around 5,499 ft (1,676 m), giving roughly 699 ft (213 m) of vertical from base to top.
Higher start heights usually mean colder, drier snow holding longer into spring, but also thinner air and faster weather changes. Pack layers if you are riding from village level to summit lifts in one day.
How much snow does Hurricane Ridge get each season?
Hurricane Ridge averages about 400 inches (1,016 cm) of natural snowfall per season. That is a long-term climate figure. Any single winter can run well above or below it depending on storm track and temperature.
For trip planning, pair this baseline with the live snow report and webcams: fresh cycles show up in overnight totals and summit cameras long before season averages tell you much about today's surface.
Does Hurricane Ridge accept the Indy?
Hurricane Ridge is affiliated with the Indy. Pass holders should confirm current season benefits, blackout dates, and reservation rules on the pass issuer's site. Policies change year to year and can differ between international and domestic products.
If you are not on Indy, day tickets and multi-day bundles are still available; see the lift tickets page for published rates and purchase links.
Where can I buy Hurricane Ridge lift tickets and how much do they cost?
Published single-day adult pricing on SnowStash currently spans US$22 to US$42, depending on date band and whether you are buying peak or regular windows. Multi-day products (season passes) usually lower the per-day cost if you are staying several days. Tickets can be bought online through the resort's official checkout (linked from our lift tickets page) or at on-mountain ticket windows, subject to availability.
Buying ahead of peak holidays and weekends generally saves money and guarantees access on sold-out days. Before you commit, scan the snow report and webcams so you are paying for conditions that match your expectations.
How can I check snow and mountain conditions at Hurricane Ridge before I go?
SnowStash pulls together 2 live mountain webcams, a downloadable piste map, and the daily snow report for Hurricane Ridge so you can plan from home. Webcams refresh on a short interval and are the fastest way to judge visibility, wind exposure, and whether storm snow is still falling.
The snow report adds structured totals, base depth where available, and lift/trail status when the resort publishes it. Use both together: cameras show what it looks like right now, and the report summarises numbers your group can compare day to day.
Does Hurricane Ridge have a trail map?
Yes. The downloadable PDF/image map is better for offline planning, marking meeting points, and understanding the full mountain layout at a glance.
Both versions are on the trail map page for Hurricane Ridge. If you are navigating with kids or meeting friends across separate lifts, screenshot or print the static map and keep the live map open on your phone for operational updates.
Where is Hurricane Ridge located?
Hurricane Ridge sits in Washington, Usa. That regional context matters for travel planning: airport transfers, snow tyres, and typical storm patterns all follow geography as much as resort marketing.
Browse nearby accommodation from the resort page if you are comparing village-base vs valley-base stays; where you sleep changes your first lift of the day more than most trail stats do.
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