Conditions Report: Happy Holidays!

December 27, 2017

We hope you’re having a good holiday season and you’re planning on pushing a throttle around Golden BC in the next week. In general, we have good coverage and some fresh snow. There’s a little snow in the forecast and also some sun. The temps will stay quite cool, which means the groomed trails stay in good condition longer.

There’s been amazing light in the last week and sometimes you can see for hundreds of kms.

The shortest days of the year have been long on memories. Photo @SledBiglines

Getting it good on Dec 22, 2017. Photo @SledBiglines

Weather and Snow

Some say it’s been so cold in Golden that the chicken are lining up at 7-11 to hop in the deep fryer! Seriously though, bring an extra balaclava.

15 cms in the forecast for Quartz area

Kicking Horse Mountain Resort snow report screen shot.

Avalanche Safety

Purcell mountains avalanche forecast on Dec 27, 2017

Watch out for the buried surface hoar in the trees.

Please check with http://www.avalanche.ca/map everyday before you head out.

Road Safety

Using a VHF radio on active logging roads is an essential part of having a safe day. Please watch our road safety video to learn more.

Economic Impact Study

Don’t be surprised if you are asked to fill out a survey at one of our trail heads. We are conducting an Economic Impact Study this winter. We’re hopeful the results of this study will help us get more funding to continue to make snowmobiling infrastructure better. Thank you for your patience.

Economic Impact Study questions being asked in all 3 managed areas. Photo @sledbigilnes

Quartz Creek

Conditions: High traffic in usual spots lately; powder will need to be hunted for. Trail is in good condition.

Grooms scheduled: December 27, 28, 29, 30, 1

Fees: $25 - Everyday except New Year's day.

Parking: The parking lot is cleared

Road: Watch for ice on the trail.

Additional notes: Quartz has seen heavy traffic over the holidays so you may want to search elsewhere if you’re looking for the freshest snow. However, the trail is in awesome shape, the cabin is stocked with wood for a warming fire, there’s propane available for the BBQ, there’s porta potties at the parking lot, the outhouse up high has been cleaned, and the parking lot is maintained.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Packed powder and thin snow on wind swept ridges.

Grooms scheduled: Dec 27, 29, 30

Fees: $25 - Everyday except New Years.

Parking: Park at the "lower" (3 km) lot.

Road: Road is scheduled to be plowed and sanded on the 29th.

Additional notes: Gorman has seen some windÂ so the best snow is in the trees. You might have to travel far to find the best snow.

Silent Pass

Conditions: Fresh snow

Grooms scheduled: Dec 28,30

Fees: $25 - Everyday except New Years

Parking: Parking at 21km. Parking lot is cleared on Dec 20.

Road: See lower description: Road is scheduled to be plowed and sanded on the 29th to the 21km.

Additional notes:

Those who brave the long cold road in have been rewarded with good snow and stunning views this week.

Logging is scheduled to be completed on Dec 27th evening, which therefore means that Canfor will now only maintain the road to the Mitten Lake turn off (7km). The Golden Snowmobile club will be paying for road clearing on Dec 29th from the 7km to the 21 km. Updates on maintaining this road will be a week by week decision.Â The access this week may be the easiest Silent is going to get this winter so we suggest you go for it.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: Very thin

Grooms scheduled: No grooms scheduled until more snow arrives

Fees: $25 (pay at Gorman Lake trailhead)

Parking: Gorman Lake 3 km parking

Additional notes: WBT is still not groomed due to low snow. You can ride from the Gorman side on thin snow.

Avalanche Conditions

Please continually check Avalanche.ca for avalanche info

Weather Conditions

This weather report is a pretty good one that applies to most of our areas.

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