Conditions Report: Pow Hunter

It’s a good time to explore around Golden. The blue skies and cold air will be lingering this week and people are reaching to the far ends of the zones.  There’s still pow out there to be had, you just have to go and find it. Bring an extra balaclava while you’re at it.

 

Bwiesener finding air in Gorman.

Bwiesener finding air in Gorman.

Weather

Not a lot of snow but blue skies and cold temps will keep things good.

weather forecast for near Quartz on Feb 20, 2019

weather forecast for near Quartz on Feb 20, 2019

Check out our webcam, weather data (including snowfall) and the local weather forecast on our webcams page:  www.sledgolden.com/webcams-and-conditions/

Avalanche Safety

Check out avalanche bulletins (https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/purcells) each time you go.  Conditions are moderate in the alpine right now, but considerable below treeline so it’s a good time to keep your heads up in areas you’d normally consider safer. Avalanche forecasts are updated daily and conditions can change quickly. 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.

Avalanche forecast for Purcell range on Feb 20, 2019

Avalanche forecast for Purcell range on Feb 20, 2019

 

Grooming

Trails have been looking good since the cold snap hit and we’re on track for regular grooming all of this weekend. Should be flat and fast access to the freshies on Saturday.

*Please note: GSC grooming operations are responsive to WorkSafe BC protocols for avalanche safety and working alone. This means the GSC grooming operations are under the direction of a professional avalanche forecaster, who, at times, applies limits to the terrain that the groomer can pass through and this may affect the grooming product. The turnaround points are normally at 11 km in Quartz, 14 km in Gorman, and 48 km at Silent. Please adjust your expectations accordingly. *

Events

Dr Poz says the Riley Suhan Invitational will be very nice.

Dr Poz says the Riley Suhan Invitational will be very nice.

 

Poker Ride! March 23, 2019 – Ride the WestBench Trail from Gorman to Quartz and collect poker cards to play during the BBQ wrap-up at Quartz Creek.

Riley Suhan Invitational – April 6, 2019 – The first back-country snowmobile race is now in its second year.  Registration is now open – limited to 80 riders, first come, first served.

GT or DIE – April 20, 2019 – Extreme GT-ing in the alpine.  Need we say more.

From our Sponsors

Get a coupon from our gate ticket kiosks for buy one appie, get the 2nd 50% off at the Dugout. Locally raised beef and hand-made patties… get it in ya!

 Donations NEEDED!

PLEASE HELP GORMA

PLEASE HELP GORMA

GORMA needs to raise $7500 to cover the costs of insurance for the moto track in Golden.  We are accepting donations at all of our trailheads and via our online store.
Make a donation here:  https://squareup.com/store/golden-snowmobile-trails-society/item/donation-gorma-track (update the quantity amount to increase your donation).

Travel on Logging Roads

Please observe proper safety on the logging roads. Radio channel in Silent is RR3 (150.140)

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Mostly firm snow with some fresh if you look for it.
Grooms scheduled: Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
Fees: $25 / Sled
Parking: Plowed but watch out for soft spots
Road: n/a
Additional notes:

Trail in is smooth. Alpine is too.

PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE PARKS! Please don’t sled past a sign and in to the National Park. We got called this week from Parks Canada and they are going to up their enforcement in the area.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Good coverage. Pow in the deeper reaches of the zone
Grooms scheduled: Thursday, Saturday,
Fees: $25 / Sled
Parking: 4km parking lot.
Road: Road is steep and can be slippery, no matter how much we plow & sand.
Additional notes: Gorman is in great condition.  Mostly packed powder but a great time for travel into the mountains.

Silent Pass

Conditions: packed powder
Grooms scheduled: Thursday, Saturday
Fees: $25 / sled
Parking: At 24 km. Please park responsibly and don't snowmobile on the plowed road
Road: Please call every KM on FSR. Channel is RR3 (150.140)
Additional notes:

Silent has been awesome this year with less traffic and more space than our other areas. Might be time to check it out if you’re looking for pockets of fresh snow.

Logging operations are ongoing this year, currently up a spur off the FSR at 21 km. Therefore you can drive to the 24km parking lot but expect to encounter industrial vehicles nearly the entire way. Please review our road safety video and call your location every KM.  Handheld radios don’t have the same reach as the truck radios so although you might be able to hear the big trucks they will not be able to hear you.

Summit Lake riders: The logging operation has cleared a small parking area about 2 km up the spur road at the 21 km.  Do not park at the normal parking at 21 km and ride on the plowed road.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: Groomed
Grooms scheduled: Friday
Fees: $25 payable at Gorman or Quartz kiosk
Parking: Gorman or Quartz
Road: n/a
Additional notes: Good condition and staying flat. Stay tuned for our Poker ride on March 23!

Old Man

Conditions: Fairly firm with a few pockets of fresh
Grooms scheduled: Friday
Fees: $25, payable at Quartz
Parking: Quartz
Road: n/a
Additional notes: Old Man has definitely firmed up with quite a bit of traffic recently.

East Quartz

Conditions: Unknown
Grooms scheduled: Wednesday
Fees: $25, payable at Quartz
Parking: Quartz
Road: N/A
Additional notes: Partial groom scheduled for Wednesday night.