Conditions Report: Sunshine Slaying
The bad news: no fresh snow in the forecast. The good news: If you like sunshine, warm temps and getting high in the mountains you’re going to love riding this weekend! Travel conditions are excellent and it’s a good time to explore in new areas.
To quote one of our esteemed directors: “The trails are flat and so is the alpine.” While there’s not much in the way of fresh pow, there’s lots in the way of sunshine, warmer temperatures, and spring goggle tans.
Weather
Lots of sunshine in the forecast and temperatures are forecasted to be rising to close to zero, which is basically t-shirt weather after what we’ve been through in February.
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 across the board right now. Watch for some changes and late-day-danger as the tempreatures rise, but also enjoy this great opportunity to for good travel in the Alpine! 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.
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.
*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. *
Dr Poz says the Riley Suhan Invitational will be very nice.
Events
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.
Donations NEEDED!
PLEASE HELP GORMA
Travel on Logging Roads
Please observe proper safety on the logging roads. Radio channel in Silent is RR3 (150.140)
Quartz Creek
It’s a great time to explore all the corners of Quartz with mostly packed powder making travel easy.
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
Silent Pass
Secret is out and now Silent is looking like she was ridden hard by a posse. Possibly still some fresh to be found, but expect to enjoy some great mountain riding and exploration at Silent if you go.
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 drive with care.
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.
