Staff at Olympic National Park are preparing the Hurricane Ridge area for winter activities. There are several changes to note this season, in particular the closure of the Sunrise sliding area.

Here is a look at the winter operation plans:

HURRICANE RIDGE ROAD

Barring heavy snows or winter storms, the Hurricane Ridge Road is scheduled to be open 9 a.m. to dusk, Fridays through Sundays, from Nov. 20 through March 28.

The road will be open daily from Dec. 18 through Jan. 3, but not Christmas Day, as well as on Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 18 and Presidents Day Feb. 15.

Until Nov. 20, the road will be open as weather, road conditions and staffing allow.

The Hurricane Ridge Road may also close temporarily if the parking lot fills up. All vehicles must park within the Hurricane Ridge parking lot.

Tire chains: All vehicles are required to carry chains when traveling above the Heart O’the Hills entrance station between Nov. 20 and March 28.

TUBING AND SLIDING

Tubing and sliding are permitted only for children 8 years of age and younger at the Small Children’s Snowplay Area at Hurricane Ridge. The area, just west of the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, is monitored for safe use.

The Sunrise sliding area is now closed because of safety issues.

“The lack of parking, combined with large numbers of vehicles and pedestrians, and typical winter driving conditions create an extremely hazardous situation,” superintendent Karen Gustin said in a news release.

VISITOR CENTERS

Olympic National Park Visitor Center: At the base of Hurricane Ridge Road, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center will be closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center: will be open with restrooms and a warm seating area whenever the road is open. Beginning Dec. 19, the information desk will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through March 28. The desk also will be staffed on Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day.

The snack bar and ski shop, with ski and snowshoe rentals will be open Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 12 through March 28, along with Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day, and during the holidays from Dec. 28 through Jan. 3.

SNOWSHOE WALKS

Snowshoe walks will be offered at 2 p.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and Monday holidays, from Dec. 19 through March 28. Snowshoe walks will also be offered at 2 p.m. on Jan. 1. The walks last 90 minutes and are less than one mile in length. Space on walks is limited, so people should register at the Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center information desk 30 minutes before the walk.

A $5 donation from each snowshoe walk participant helps the park provide snowshoe walks and repair and replace snowshoes.

Group walks can be arranged by calling 360-565-3136.

DOWNHILL SKIING

Weather permitting, the downhill ski tows will operate from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays from Dec. 12 through March 28. The ski tows will also be open Jan. 1, Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Presidents Day. Information: 360-457-2879, www.hurricaneridge.com.

Info sources

Current road and weather information: 360-565-3131, www.nps.gov/olym

Avalanche information: 206-526-6677, www.nwac.noaa.gov

Hurricane Ridge Webcam and weather station: www.nps.gov/olym and click on “Photos & Multimedia” and then on “Webcams.”