Jan 16 – Still Going Strong
Sledding in Golden is still going strong. While we can’t say it dumped this past week, we can say the mountains are still delivering bountiful performances for those who seek it. We’ve received 17-25 cms in the last 7 days. As we’ve said before this winter, the little storms have been adding up more than expected just about every time and that trend seems to be true again this week. Grooming ops have been keeping the trails flat, we’re working on getting the Silent Road plowed (much needed) and avalanche conditions are forecast to continue be moderate through the weekend.
Sled Pillows on Jan 13
Quartz Parking Lot info – Updated…
Please beware of the upcoming Selkirk Mountain – Quartz Creek Rest Area Clearing & Brushing Project located on Highway 1 and Quartz Creek FSR. Kenpesq’t Construction has been contracted by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to carry out this work. Please be advised that the start date for this work has been postponed and is now scheduled to begin on January 22, 2025, and is expected to be completed on January 31, 2025 (weather permitting).
Project Details:
- Estimated Project Start Date: January 22, 2025
- Estimated Project End Date: January 31, 2025
- Work Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday to Friday
- Affected Areas: Selkirk Mountain – Quartz Creek Rest Area / Snowmobile Staging Area
- Traffic Impact: Expect traffic delays and intermittent road closures during the project, which may cause disruptions to travel along HWY 1.
- Golden Snowmobile Club Impact: Restricted access for snowmobile staging during active tree clearing operations.
- Estimated Duration of Delays/Closures: Intermittent east-bound traffic delays on HWY 1 up to 10 minutes in duration.
SledGolden will be updating our website and social media channels in terms of how this project will affect our operations. At the very least, the truck parking lot near the kiosk will be closed during this time.
Quartz parking lot logging information
Travel
TCH-1 Highway
Highway 1 is fully open east of Golden with NO scheduled stoppages and overnight closures.
Dogtooth FSR (Gorman)
Looks like come January, PWT will have a logging crew and hauling from the West Main road and therefore will be maintaining the Dogtooth FSR to the 3.5km lot most of the winter. Please call kms on your radio (RR27).
Main Spillimacheen FSR (Silent Pass)
A lot of forestry work is transpiring on the Main Spillamacheen FSR. Please yield to all logging trucks and use a radio to call your kms (RR3)
Hauling logs on the ‘Main’ on Spillimacheen FSR -use RR3
Snow & Weather
SNOW AND WEATHER
KHMR reported 17cms in the past week. The small flurries do add up especially with some wind. The temps are looking like the first cold snap of the year is inbound with temps in the high negative teens. There’s not a lot of snow in the forecast but there is some sun. So bundle up and get out there.
Quartz Jan 11
Powder in Holt on Jan 5
160 cms probed on the front side of Silent Pass at 2210m on Dec 22
KHMR snow report on Jan 16
Gorman Jan 4
screen capture of snow forecast on Jan 16
Avalanche Safety
Avalanche Conditions
Please check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride!
screen capture of Avalanche.ca on Jan 16
From Avalache.ca on Jan 16 for Dogtooth Range area: “Continue to avoid steep, rocky slopes with shallow snow cover. Steering clear of a persistent avalanche problem requires diligence in conservative terrain selection.”
Travel and Terrain Advice from Jan 16:
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- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Pay attention to isolated wind affected features in the alpine, as well as cross-loaded features at treeline.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
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Grooming
Grooming
Grooming in Quartz, Gorman and Silent trails is ongoing in an as needed maintenance. The cold temps have been keeping the trails in excellent shape. We are working to get the Silent Road plowed to the 31km parking lot. That road is really rough on vehicles at the moment.
Quartz cabin on Jan 8th night. Photo by Mark Abbot.
Staging Areas Latest Info
Quartz Creek
Silent Pass
Good riding.
We are working to get the Silent Road plowed to the 31km parking lot. That road is really rough on vehicles at the moment. Shout out to the GSC team who work behind the scenes to actually get the proper paper work to get the road work done…
