Conditions Report: Wash, Rinse, Repeat!
It’s a great time to snowmobile in Golden right now. We’re having an above normal snowfall year and we’ve been blessed with storm after storm after storm. This week there is ‘only’ 17cms forecasted and temps are remaining cool. Last week, was a real doozy, as it deposited over 50cm of new snow but it also had wild winds and temp fluctuations. The best snow is in the trees at the moment. So come on out and find a pocket that hasn’t been slayed yet. You won’t regret it.
A break in the storms let us get out and about this week to seize some fresh pow!
Great snowmobile conditions on Feb 3, 2020.
Aaron B is a Hopeful kinda guy. Feb 3, 2020 by TGFG
Weather and Snow
This year 17cms in the forecast is a moderate to low snow week! Yeah, it’s good here…
Screen shot of weather near Quartz on Feb 5
Check out our webcam, weather data (including snowfall) and the local weather forecast on our webcams page: www.sledgolden.com/webcams-and-condition
Avalanche
Travel and Terrain Advice (as copied from Avalanche.ca)
- Be aware of highly variable recent wind loading patterns.
- Stay off recently wind loaded slopes until they have had a chance to stabilize.
- Use extra caution around cornices: they are large, fragile, and can trigger slabs on slopes below.
- If triggered, wind slabs avalanches may step down to deeper layers resulting in larger avalanches.
Screen shot of Avalanche.ca forecast for the Purcells on Feb 5, 2020
Please check out avalanche bulletins (https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/purcells) each time you go.
If you can ride in the mountains you’re probably travelling in avalanche terrain. Please be careful and submit what you see to the MIN Network.
Travel on Logging Roads
Please observe proper safety on the logging roads. Radio channel in Silent is RR3 (150.140)
Quartz Creek
Quartz has seen a lot of snow lately but also a lot of traffic. There’s still some great spots with untouched snow in the trees.
Fire wood has been replenished. Good riding conditions.
PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE PARKS! Don’t sled past a sign and in to the National Park. This seriously impacts our relationship with the Park and our ability to keep areas open and open new areas. We don’t have caribou in Golden, but we are not immune from closures.
Please note that avalanche safety protocols sometimes affect our grooming schedule. Ask the gate staff in the morning about the last groom.
Gorman Lake
The best snow in Gorman is below treeline. High winds swept the alpine.
Please be aware of active logging on the road. The Radio Channel is RR27 or 151.37
Please note that avalanche safety protocols sometimes affect our grooming schedule. Ask the gate staff in the morning about the last groom.
Silent Pass
Silent got a lot of wind during the storm. The best snow is below treeline.
Please keep in mind there is active logging taking place very near to the parking lot. Please do not follow the plowed road to the “end” or park in signed no-parking areas. Riding a snowmobile on a plowed road is illegal, so if you can’t snag a spot in the lot drop off your sled and park elsewhere, don’t ride on the road.
*HEADS UP* Logging operations are scheduled to stop on Feb 17 this year and you can expect to park at the 27km after this date. . That means you must have a VHS Radio in your vehicle to travel down the active logging road. Check out our video on logging road etiquette here. The Radio Channel is RR3 or 150.140.
Please note that avalanche safety protocols sometimes affect our grooming schedule. Ask the gate staff in the morning about the last groom.
