Conditions Report: Bluebird and Fresh Pow
We’re rolling out of one epic weekend and into another. With more than 45 cm falling late last week and the temperatures dropping, the pow was light and deep and there is more on the way.
Cold temperatures are keeping some people out of the riding areas right now but that just means more for the rest of us! With a storm rolling in later this week the goods are just going to get gooder.
Weather
We’ve got another storm rolling in later this week that should bring 15-20 cm of fresh to all of our areas. The cold temps mean that trails will stay much harder and flatter, which is good news!
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.
Join Avalanche Canada technicians at Quartz Creek cabin at 11:00 am on Saturday, February 16 to learn more about the MIN Network and practise your partner rescue.
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
Group Rides (February 10, Silent Pass) – meet at the gate kiosk at 9:00 am and ride with like minded sledders to learn the zone and the secret spots!
CAA Avalanche Technician Visit (Saturday, February 16, Quartz Creek) – learn from the experts: MIN Network reporting and transceiver search and rescue. Meet at Quartz Cabin at 11:00 am.
Women’s Group Rides (February 17, Quartz Creek) – join a group of local women for a day of shredding and learning!
Poker Ride! March 9, 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
Travel on Logging Roads
Please observe proper safety on the logging roads. Radio channel in Silent is RR3 (150.140)
Quartz Creek
Quartz has been awesome lately. Powder and packed powder in high traffic areas. With up to 20 cm expected on Thursday-Friday, it’s only going to get better.
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
The trail up Silent is good to go with regular grooming.
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.
