Conditions Report: Dreamy December

December 2, 2020

Wow, what a week it’s been in Golden BC for snowmobiling. Excellent early season riding conditions continue in all our riding zones and now the sun has come out to light the way.

Quartz Creek – November 23, 2020
Rider: Brett Turcotte | Photographer: Tim Grey

Quartz is getting regular grooms and we’re happy to report that Silent Pass grooming is now up running. There are still hazards evident and some of the creek crossings are still open but for the most part conditions are amazing for this time of year.

Silent Pass – November 29, 2020
Photographer: Tim Grey

Snow and Weather

The snow in the upper trees has been outstanding and there is a lot of stashes left. The valleys have been the coldest places this week and the high alpine can often see warming from the sun. We’ve had between 30-40 cms of new snow this week and it came in quite cold.

There’s not a lot of snow in the forecast but the good news is that there is a lot of sun. It seems like a good time to go exploring.

Watch a VLOG by Brett Turcotte from Quartz this week to see some conditions.

Avalanche

Avalanche.ca is now posting regular updates for the Purcell regions. Alpine warming seems to be a concern worth noting going in to the weekend.

Travel

Please remember to keep in mind that these are the shortest days of the year and there’s not a lot of light. We’ve had people pushing their limits in places they shouldn’t be this week and spending the night out in the mountains is not a fun proposition. It’s a good idea to make sure you have an extra puffy jacket, a lighter, saw and headlamp just to make sure you’re safe.

Grooming

Quartz and Silent are now receiving regular grooms. Next week we are going to try and push Oldman. Gorman is still a week or two away due to groomer maintenance.

COVID Protocol:

The club has posted our COVID protocols here. Please advise yourself and abide by all provincial public health advisories.

Trail Area Conditions Reports

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Excellent early season. A lot of traffic in the regular bowls. Still powder in the trees.

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Fri, Sat, Sun.

Fees: $25

Parking: Main parking lot is plowed. Please do not drive up the trail.

Road: Graded to the 4km mark and then groomed after that.

Additional notes: Active logging is happening in Quartz. Right now the activity is up to the 4km mark. Please give loggers the right of way.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Good powder, still a lot of rocks.

Grooms scheduled: None.

Fees: No fees.

Parking: Park at upper lot.

Road: Road is being used by mining trucks from the Holt bridge down (from approximately 13 km and down). Road has not been cleared through to the upper parking lot and could be sporty to get to parking.

Additional notes: Active mining and rock hauling is happening on the road.

Silent Pass

Conditions: Excellent early season.

Grooms scheduled: Thur, Sat.

Fees: $25

Parking: Please park at the 27km area. We will be pushing snow on to the trail above the 27km this week.

Road: Road is well gravelled for first 10 kms (up the big hills). 17km-27km is snow covered but not bad for travel.

Additional notes: Tree trail after grooming ends is in good shape with only a few hazards (stumps and rocks) showing. Creek below waterfall is open and can be sporty. Waterfall has good coverage but also a lot of trenches. Upper bowls are amazing.

East Quartz

Conditions: Creeks are mostly easy to cross. Tree riding above trail is sporty but doable for an advanced group.

Grooms scheduled: None.

Fees: Same for Quartz.

Parking: Quartz Creek - see notes for Quartz zone.

Road: n/a

Additional notes: Don’t bring your novice buddy.

Old Man

Conditions: No information yet.

Grooms scheduled: Hopefully early next week (December 7)

Fees: No fees.

Parking: At Quartz Creek.

Road: n/a

Westbench Trail

Conditions: No information yet.

Grooms scheduled: None.

Fees: No fees.

Parking: Quartz Creek or Gorman Lake (Gorman not maintained)

Road: n/a

Additional notes: West Bench Trail will be discontinuous for the first half of this season as the loggers do some road building work and bridge replacement. Park at either Gorman or Quartz and ride to where the trail ends and back. The longer ride will be from Gorman.