Hurricane Ridge Ski Area is one of the best things to do in Olympic National Park in winter. On clear days, the views from Hurricane Ridge, Washington, stretch from snow-covered peaks to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, and the atmosphere feels both adventurous and refreshingly laid back. Whether you are carving turns at the Hurricane Ridge Ski Area, taking a beginner lesson, or simply soaking up the alpine scenery, this part of the Olympic National Park is one of the best places to go when the mountains are covered in snow and Hurricane Ridge Road is open for winter play.
Of course, winter on the Olympic Peninsula is about more than skiing. Between storm watching on wild Pacific beaches, quiet walks along Lake Crescent, and moody rainforest trails that feel even more dramatic in the cooler months, there are plenty of ways to experience Olympic National Park in winter. Add in the local flavor of Port Angeles and Sequim, with cozy cafes, craft breweries, and easy access to coastal viewpoints, and you have a seasonal getaway that balances outdoor adventure with relaxed downtime.
To make the most of your time at Hurricane Ridge Ski Area, staying close by is key, and that is where Travel Experience Lodging comes in. Their collection of high-end, curated vacation rentals near Port Angeles and Sequim puts you in some of the best lodging near Olympic National Park, with properties that feel like a natural extension of the landscape. Think design-forward treehouses, waterfront cabins with expansive views, and comfortable homes that work beautifully for couples, families, groups of friends, and guests traveling with pets.
With Travel Experience Lodging, you get thoughtful amenities, inviting spaces to unwind after a day on the mountain, and an ideal home base for every winter adventure at Hurricane Ridge. Book your stay today!
What to Know About Hurricane Ridge Ski Area
Hurricane Ridge Ski Area feels delightfully old school in the best possible way. This small, family-oriented ski hill sits high above Port Angeles in the heart of the Olympic National Park, with wide open views that can easily distract you from your descent. The terrain is a mix of gentle groomers for warm-up laps and steeper bowls and glades that reward more confident skiers and riders, all served by rope tows and a poma lift that keep the experience low-key and uncrowded compared to bigger resorts.
With a summit elevation around 5,240 feet and an average annual snowfall of more than 400 inches, the snowpack at Hurricane Ridge, Washington, tends to be deep, soft, and perfect for playful laps on powder days. Part of what makes Hurricane Ridge Ski Area stand out is the overall vibe.
To start, you are skiing inside Olympic National Park. Hurricane Ridge is one of only a couple of United States National Parks that still has a lift-operated ski area. The scene is relaxed and community-driven, with local families mixing with visitors who made the drive up Hurricane Ridge Road for the novelty of skiing above the sea. On clear days, you can pause at the top of a run and look out across layers of jagged Olympic peaks in one direction and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in the other; a reminder that this is not your average mountain town resort experience.
If you are not in the mood to ski every day, Hurricane Ridge in winter also shines as a destination for snowshoeing and cross-country adventures. Meadows above the main parking area offer mellow terrain that is ideal for first-time snowshoers, while more experienced visitors can follow unplowed roads and rolling ridgelines toward Hurricane Hill for bigger views and a bit more effort. In total, there are roughly 15 to 20 miles of winter routes around Hurricane Ridge, which makes this area the focal point for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in Olympic National Park this winter.
You can also lean into the playful side of winter at Hurricane Ridge, Washington. Families love the dedicated tubing park within the Hurricane Ridge Ski Area, where staff-supplied tubes and walk-up lanes keep the smiles coming, and younger kids can enjoy smaller snow play areas close to the parking lot. On non-ski days, many visitors simply wander out from the visitor center area to take photos, watch shifting clouds move through the surrounding peaks, or join ranger-led snowshoe walks that introduce the unique winter ecology of Hurricane Ridge Olympic National Park.
However you choose to explore it, this compact alpine hub offers one of the most memorable and accessible winter experiences on the entire Olympic Peninsula, all at the end of a scenic drive up Hurricane Ridge Road.
The Best Vacation Rentals Near Hurricane Ridge
Whether you’re skiing at Hurricane Ridge Ski Area or not, there are plenty of reasons to plan a getaway to the Olympic Peninsula this winter. And, of course, our Port Angeles vacation rentals put you in exactly the right place for winter days at Hurricane Ridge Ski Area and beyond. You are close enough to drive Hurricane Ridge Road for first tracks in the morning, yet far enough from the alpine weather to enjoy a relaxed coastal vibe when you come back down. With our vacation rentals near downtown Port Angeles, it’s easier than ever to trade ski boots for waterfront sunsets, restaurants, and a well-earned night in.
What really sets these Port Angeles vacation rentals apart is the mix of thoughtful amenities and variety in accommodation styles. The collection includes everything from cozy cabins to larger homes that work beautifully for families and groups, many of them pet-friendly and some with EV charging, so the logistics are covered before you even arrive. Expect full kitchens that invite you to cook in, comfortable living spaces with big windows and water or forest views, private decks or hot tubs at select properties, and plenty of small touches that make the space feel warm and personal after a cold day at Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.
These homes are curated rather than generic, so your lodging feels like a key part of the trip rather than just the place you sleep. The fun part is choosing the style of stay that matches your Hurricane Ridge adventure. You might wake up in a treehouse perched above the Strait, a bluff-top modern cedar home, a waterfront cabin where you can watch ships move across the horizon, or a quiet forest retreat that still keeps you within an easy drive of Hurricane Ridge Ski Area. With this range of unique accommodations, it is easy to find a Port Angeles home base that suits couples, families, friends, or groups with pets. Book some of the best lodging near Olympic National Park, and enjoy the winter adventure of a lifetime.