Conditions Report: April is No Joke
We’re getting close to the end of the season but April isn’t fooling around. Golden has seen a major reset of snow and there’s still more on the way. Grooming operations are continuing until April 11 but there’s new public health orders and recommendations to be aware of. Highway closures require increased planning.
The first extended closure (requiring motorists to use Highways 93 and 95 as an alternative route) will have a duration of approximately one month, from April 12 to May 14, 2021. Additional plans are also taking place for early April. See the Traffic Management page for details. https://www.kickinghorsecanyon.ca/
COVID Protocol:
Nonessential travel is not recommend at this time for both BC and AB.
Please wear your mask and observe social distancing while purchasing tickets or waiting in line. We need and appreciate your cooperation on this front.
The latest orders, restrictions and advisories for Covid 19 are here for both BC and Alberta:
AB: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx
The club has posted our COVID protocols here
Please advise yourself and abide by all provincial public health advisories. Sled Golden has a strong contingent of local members and participants and we are focusing on serving them during this time.
Snow and Weather
Golden had a major storm on Sunday (March 28) where approximately 40 cms fell in 24 hrs. This storm was a wild event that had strong winds accompany it. There was a lot of avalanche activity that occurred during the storm as well.
Avalanche
The cornices that formed this week are noticeably bigger and a lot more sensitive to failure.
We’re giving out tons of cool prizes for the rest of the season to people who show us some avalanche smarts – check out our contest here: https://sledgolden.com/avalanche-safety/
Show proof of your AST training any day this winter at get $5 off your day pass.
Please check https://www.avalanche.ca/ for all updated avalanche forecasts and check out the MIN reports for our areas.
Grooming
We’ve made the decision to stay open until April 11. Only 10 more days! Mt7 got a couple grooms this week if you’re looking for an excuse to watch sunset from a “mountain top.”
We have our groomer tracking public for your consumption. Please see the section below the Trail Area Conditions Reports.
Sledding in Closures and National Parks
Unfortunately, there’s been some sledders tearing up Golden Alpine Holidays ski touring lodges terrain as of late. SledGolden is a member of GBRAP in which we have agreements in place to not sled in this terrain while the company is operating. This operation is important to the local economy and we ask that you do not sled in this terrain until April 15.
National Park Wardens will be increasing their patrols of boundaries in our areas, particularly in Quartz. In some areas, there has been excellent compliance, in other areas there’s been blatant disregard for the park boundary. Fines for using a motorized vehicle in the National Parks can be as high as $25,000. It’s also a black eye for the club to see sledders in the park, so please, just stay out. Park Wardens put another set of several signs along the borders so it’s going to be pretty hard to plead ignorance.
If you’ve got questions about what is a closed area and what is not, check out our overview map at www.sledgolden.com/zones .
Trail Area Conditions Reports
Quartz Creek
Gorman Lake
Silent Pass
East Quartz
Old Man
Westbench Trail
Grooming Map
The map below is linked to the safety InReaches we have in our groomers and we have been able to make the tracks public. How to use the map:
- Press on the + next to the groomer/zone you want the latest information for.
- Once the line is visible, press on the line to see the date & time the groomer was last in action.
This map only shows the most recent groom. You can inquire at any of our trailheads for additional grooming information, including number of riders since the last groom.
