HomeMy WebLinkAboutHurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club i
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Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club
March 3,2010
Dear Congressman Dicks,
If The Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Club is requesting our assistance in
q g Y helping us work with Olympic National
Park towards more reliable winter-time access to Hurricane Ridge. This might well mean your intercession with
it senior management of the National Park Service.
We have operated a small ski area in the Olympics for 53 years. This small, historic area has always had its share of
j struggles. With the ever changing economy,we have worked hard to provide a family friendly, economical place
for people to ski and snowboard. With the rising cost of insurance and overall operations,we have tried to
establish a ski school program and ski team program that markets to the Olympic Peninsula and Kitsap Peninsula.
Families traveling up to two hours to Hurricane Ridge--only to find the road closed-commonly voice their
frustration. This issue creates a financial impact to our area.
e
If road closures are due to true environmental conditions we understand that. Hurricane Ridge can live up to its
name. it is frustrating when closure is due to lack of staffing or funding issues rather than weather.
Another continuing problem we have is lack of winter parking at the Ridge,which also affects access. Especially on
our blue bird days, it is common for the parking lot to fill, requiring the Park to curtail access. Often this includes
our customers who have pre-paid for our services.
Our club,with cooperation of the Port Angeles School District, provided bus transportation for several years.The
program was popular, eco-friendly,and had a positive impact on the parking issue. Unfortunately,we lacked the
funds subsidize it alone and, reluctantly,the program was dropped. We do know that bussing works and is a viable
solution to the parking problem. However,it will require NP financing and leadership to be successful.
The uncertainty of road openings and accessibility have hurt our ski area,programs,youth employment
opportunities and community. In these trying economic times,areas like ours need all of the opportunity and help
they can get. We hope that your support of this could persuade some more attention to the issue. Our hope is to
be able to continue to offer healthy winter activities to those in our community and surrounding areas for many
years to come.
The working relationship between Olympic National Park and the Hurricane Ridge Ski Area is cooperative.We both
work toward an enjoyable outdoor experience at Hurricane Ridge for our guests.We believe that increased
funding towards these issues will be of great benefit.We hope that with your help this can be accomplished.
Thank you for your consideration.
Ken Simpson
Past President
PMB 218-136 E.8t"Street
Port Angele WA 98362