Conditions Report: Dreaming of a White Christmas?

December 22, 2021

Looks like were wrapping up the last week of 2021 with more freshies in the Forecast! The snow has certainly been delivering to all our riding areas, with lots more on the way this week. Our Operations team has been working diligently on a couple unforeseen equipment breakdowns. In combination with the dangerous avi conditions, needless to say, we have had limited grooming in some areas…but we are hoping to be back on track asap! A reminder, that we would like to be out there grooming every day, but we have to keep our staff’s safety as our first priority, always.

With the holidays upon us, it’s great to see more families on the trails and the big pow smiles that go along with it!

We’ve been seeing lots of riders in all the zones, so keep it coming! Glad to see people spreading their wings and hitting up “new to you” areas like Gorman and Silent. There are great riding conditions everywhere right now, so enjoy it while it lasts (hopefully all season 😉 )

We also want to give a huge shout out to all the local businesses that have supported the club this year. Consider supporting them on your next trip to Golden! Check out more details here on our website.

Plan before you Play!

Plan before you play!

With another COVID variant on our doorstep, be sure to check the latest advisories for Covid 19 for both BC and Alberta:

BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

AB: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

TCH-1 Highway status

Check the latest conditions as it relates to the Kicking Horse Canyon highway project here:

Kicking Horse Calendar

SNOW AND WEATHER

We’ve had a couple feet of snow in the last week with some windy days and cool temps. There are more storms on their way to all our favourite sled zones! Temps are getting colder as the week continues (into the cold double digit negative zone), so make sure you pack an extra balaclava and puffy jacket. Our Gorman SeaCabin and Quartz cabin are are a great options for warming up and in case of an emergency.

Avalanche

Stay aware with the incoming storms and wind. We will be seeing storm and wind slabs throughout the next few days out there.

Show proof of your AST training any day this winter at get $5 off your day pass.

Make sure to check https://www.avalanche.ca/ for an up to date avalanche forecast EACH DAY and check out the MIN reports to see what people are seeing out there day to day.

Grooming

Grooming has been intermittent due to a couple breakdowns and high avalanche conditions in our grooming zones. Our operations team is working hard behind the scenes to get our grooming program back on track! We have our groomer tracking public for your consumption. Please see the section below the Trail Area Conditions Reports.

National Parks and Other Closed Areas

National Park Wardens will be patrolling the boundaries in our areas, particularly in Quartz. A reminder that fines for using a motorized vehicle in the National Parks can be as high as $25,000. It also isn’t great for the sledding community, so always remember to KNOW WHERE YOU RIDE. Check out the video, it’s worth the watch if you haven’t seen it already.

Trail Area Conditions Reports

Quartz Creek

Conditions: GREAT!

Grooms scheduled: As needed

Fees: $25

Parking: Parking at the 9k until logging is finished (this week!)

Additional notes: There is still active logging at Quartz creek, and we are currently still staging at the 9k. Most days we haven’t reached capacity but the weekends are BUSY at Quartz, and we do have a max capacity up at our 9k lot in effect. This is for the safety of the loggers and the sledders. Check in at the Quartz gate for the most up to date info.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Awesome!

Grooms scheduled: As needed

Fees: $25

Parking: Plowed at the 3k

Road: Road has been in good shape, will be getting gravelled

Additional notes: Conditions up at Gorman have been all time. Lots of room for parking and spreading out during the day! Enjoy it.

Silent Pass

Conditions: So good!

Grooms scheduled: As needed and as able (high avi danger this week)

Fees: $25

Parking: Parking at the 31k

Road: Plowed

Additional notes: The parking at Silent has improved this season! We have a nice new parking lot at the 31k which everyone is loving.

East Quartz

Conditions: Deep and deightful!

Grooms scheduled: As per Quartz

Fees: $25

Parking: At Quartz Creek parking (see above)

Road: n/a

Old Man

Conditions: Great!

Grooms scheduled: As needed

Fees: $25

Parking: At Quartz Creek parking (see above)

Road: n/a

Additional notes: Groomed earlier this week.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: Cleared but not groomed yet...

Grooms scheduled: As soon as we are able

Fees: $25

Parking: Gorman or Quartz

Road: n/a

Additional notes:

Not fully rideable for beginner sledders. There are a few tricky sections (some open water), close to the Old Man road.

If you are heading out on the trail, expect for it to not be continuous the whole way!

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.