Conditions Report: Feb 27 – Tread Carefully

On April 5, 2025 the Golden Snowmobile Club will once again host  the Riley Suhan Backcountry Race, one of the best events in all of snowmobiling! This unique mountain race traverses a large loop of the Quartz Creek riding zone in Golden BC and is executed in a timed, relay format. For 2025, on top of the normal race that combines the times of a randomly chosen, 4 person team, we will have an additional pro-level race with a $2500+ prize purse on a more challenging course.  We’re sorting out the details of this pro race but be assured that the idea is for it to be awesome for both spectators and participants alike. Entry to the second pro race will require placing in the top 30 of the main race. The pro race will have a more challenging lap that is slightly longer than the main race. We will announce more specifics as we iron them out.

We will have a new start/finish location in 2025 – Cabin Valley!  Head left past the cabin and you’ll be able to see the set-up.  This will give better spectating for everybody at the start/finish area, including Dr. Poz who was really feeling left out in past years.

REGISTER HERE!

OVER 60% BOOKED!

74 spots registered. 46 spots left… 

SNOW AND WEATHER

We had a big dump of snow last weekend of over 45 cms, this equated to pretty much a full reset depending on how the wind played in each area.  Conditions were excellent but since then it has warmed up and settled. Avalanche conditions are tricky right now and there’s a SPAW in effect. There’s still good snow to be had.

Temps will be mild throughout the weekend and there’s sun in forecast.

storm approaching Quartz Lake on Feb 19

Avalanche Conditions

SPAW IN EFFECT – PLEASE READ

Please check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride!

Screen shot of avalanche.ca on Feb 27

“The first deep persistent slabs of the warmup have been reported and there are likely many more to come. Time to dial down your exposure to avalanche terrain and overhead hazards to a minimum..” – Feb 27 Avalanche.ca

Travel and Terrain Advice from Feb 27:

• Be aware of the potential for large, destructive avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
• Avoid thin areas like rocky outcrops where you’re most likely to trigger avalanches on deep weak layers.
• Avoid exposure to overhead hazards when solar radiation is strong.
• The likelihood of deep persistent slab avalanches will increase with each day of warm weather.

Grooming

Grooming in Quartz, Gorman and Silent trails is going to be affected by avalanche conditions this week. We can only groom when our forecasters tell us it’s safe to do so. Therefore as of this posting on Feb 27: Auartz is groomed to the 12km, Silent is groomed to 47km and Gorman got a little tune up to the first switch back.