Conditions Report: Feeling Like Winter

January 19, 2023

It’s starting to feel like winter out there with some nice recent snowfalls. However, there have been some complicated layers formed this year that require extra vigilance. There’s cool temps and a skiff of snow forecast along with some sun.

Keep reading to hear more about sledding in Golden this week.

Finding some pow on Jan 14, 2023 in Quartz

Travel

TCH-1 Highway

Highway 1 is open east of Golden with scheduled stoppages and overnight closures. It’s always good to check : Kicking Horse Canyon Calendar

SNOW AND WEATHER

Approximately 25 cms fell this week and there has been some decent pow about. The snow fell on top of a fairly reactive layer and there was quite a bit of avalanche activity. Slabs have now formed up that should definitely be treated with respect.

Looks like temps will remain cool, in the double digit minus, which will preserve the snow. There’s approximately 5 cms in the forecast and some sun this week.

Avalanche

Please make sure you check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride.

“Continue to make conservative terrain choices and consider the consequences of an avalanche on a chosen slope. Regroup in safe locations, space out, and avoid shallow rocky start zones. ” – copy and pasted from Avalanche.ca on Jan 19.

There has been quite a bit of activity this week in the snowpack. We urge continued and utmost vigilance when riding.

Grooming

Grooming operations for all 3 staging areas Quartz, Gorman and Silent are in full swing with grooms scheduled as needed.

Oldman: we took the cat up Oldman without the drag but it’s not ready yet. East Quartz is still closed for the groomer for avalanche concerns..

Trail Area Conditions Reports

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Main bowls are compacted

Grooms scheduled: Regularly / As needed. Wed/Fri/Sun

Fees: $30

Parking: At main lot - Trucks in the upper west, Trailers in the upper lots to the east.

Road: groomed

Additional notes:

Quartz is fully operational. Regular grooming to the cabin is occurring. Day tickets will be sold and passes checked 7 days a week.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: still thin, but getting better

Grooms scheduled: Friday

Fees: $30

Parking: 3.5km lots

Road: Watch for ice spots

Additional notes: DFD warming cabin has been installed on Dec 8. Very thin snowpack.

Silent Pass

Conditions: packed powder

Grooms scheduled: Thursday/Saturday - as required

Fees: $30

Parking: 31km - leave room for large trailers to turn around.

Road: active logging on road.

East Quartz

Conditions: Early season but doable

Grooms scheduled: waiting for avalanche clearance

Fees: $30 as per Quartz

Parking: Main Quartz

Road: N/A

Additional notes: The road to East Quartz has not yet been groomed this season but several groups have been up there. We’re waiting on avalanche clearance to proceed.

Old Man

Conditions: very thin

Grooms scheduled: next snowfall

Fees: $0

Parking: At Quartz Creek upper lot

Road: N/A

Additional notes: We took the cat up Oldman without the drag but it’s not ready yet for a groom.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: not passable

Grooms scheduled: N/A

Fees: $0

Parking: Gorman or Quartz

Road: N/A

Additional notes: not open at this time

Grooming Map

The map below is linked to the safety InReaches we have in our groomers and we have been able to make the tracks public. How to use the map: (works on Chrome but may not work on Safari. iPhones may or may not work properly)

Press on the + next to the groomer/zone you want the latest information for.
Once the line is visible, press on the line to see the date & time the groomer was last in action.

This map only shows the most recent groom. You can inquire at any of our trailheads for additional grooming information, including number of riders since the last groom.