Conditions Report: All Systems Go? Silent, Gorman, Quartz

We’re working for ‘all systems go’ this weekend here in Golden for snowmobile trail grooming operations. The idea is that you will be able to choose from Silent Pass, Gorman Lake or Quartz Creek trails to ride this weekend. We won’t however know if our scheduled grooms into Gorman and Silent will be completely successful, but they will be attempted. We will update this page with the information as it arrives.

 

How it’s Been

The week was mostly sunny in the alpine around Golden with some high winds at times. The alpine snow now has a wind effect on it. There is still great powder in the trees, with the best riding being just below treeline. It’s been one of the best early seasons on memory and there have been a lot of stoked sledders.

Ben Bernasconi Quartz, Nov 18, 2018

Ben Bernasconi Quartz, Nov 18, 2018

Aaron and Elliot in Quartz on Nov 18, 2018. Photo @sledbiglines

Aaron and Elliot in Quartz on Nov 18, 2018. Photo @sledbiglines

 

Snow and Weather

There hasn’t been a lot of new snow this week but there’s 18cm in the forecast.

KHMR Snow Report

KHMR Snow Report on Nov 21, 2018

Snow forecast near Quartz on Nov 21, 2018

Snow forecast near Quartz on Nov 21, 2018

You never really know how a day in the mountains will go unless you’re there. But Snow-Forecast.com can give you an idea. It looks pretty sweet if sunny powder is your thing.

 

Avalanche Conditions

One thing you need to know is that the avalanche bulletins are often thin on information this time of year. Parks Canada is doing regular updates for Glacier National Park. As always, if you can ride in the mountains you’re probably travelling in avalanche terrain. Please be careful and submit to the MIN Network if you can.

Screen shot of Glacier National Park Avalanche Bulletin on Nov 21, 2018

Screen shot of Glacier National Park Avalanche Bulletin on Nov 21, 2018

 

EVENTS

THIS SUNDAY is VOLUNTEER DAY Meet at 10 am in the parking lot at Quartz

Join us in the Quartz parking lot for a fun volunteer day.  We’ll be taking firewood to the cabin, swapping out the wood stove, putting up some signs and much more.  Bring yourself, some work gloves and your sled and we’ll have good times.  Many hands make light work.

 

Have you seen the re-cap video of the Riley Suhan Invitational?


Secure your spot in next year’s event NOW!

Plan for these!
Avalanche Awareness Days Jan 19, 2019

GT or DIE, April 20, 2019

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Approx 80cm of snow at cabin.
Grooms scheduled: Thursday / Saturday
Fees: $25 / Sled
Parking: Normal parking lot just off the highway.
Additional notes:

The trail into Quartz is about as good as we’ve ever seen it this time of year. There is some ice and rocks on the trail but not a lot. It’s mostly smooth sailing to the cabin.

The riding above the cabin is great with the usual early season hazards. There was a lot of traffic last weekend so we’re hoping for a refresh to bring it back to life.

Volunteer Day is Nov 25th. Come unload wood, help us put the old stove back in and a bunch of other stuff. Can we sign you up? Meet at 10 at the parking lot. 

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Early season. The lake is frozen. Watch for rocks.
Grooms scheduled: Friday
Fees: $25 (possibly pro rated depending on how the groom goes)
Parking: 4km parking lot.
Road: Road is very icy! Travel with care, but it should be sanded and tuned up by the weekend.
Additional notes:

Gorman is scheduled to get groomed on Friday. If we get a full groom in, then the fee will be $25. If it’s not a full groom then you can expect the fee to be pro-rated.

The approach road to the 4km parking lot is scheduled to be sanded on Friday. It’s pretty icy right now, please proceed with caution.

Silent Pass

Conditions: Early season with hazards
Grooms scheduled: Friday
Fees: $25 (possibly pro rated depending on how the groom goes)
Parking: Parking is at 45 km.
Road: Plowed on Wednesday by Canfor
Additional notes: We don’t have a lot of intel from Silent yet.