Conditions Report: Game On
Nov 28th, 2022
Travel
TCH-1 Highway
Highway is OPEN east of Golden as of Nov 25! This is a week earlier than planned. There are still overnight closures and stoppages during the day. It’s always good to check : Kicking Horse Canyon Calendar
Quartz Construction: Also worth noting is that there is a significant amount of construction happening right around the turnoff to Quartz Creek. So far the delays have been minimal but they’ve got signs up that say to expect them.
Construction near Quartz turnoff. Nov 10
SNOW AND WEATHER
Approximately 30-40 cms of snow fell this week and it’s made a much needed difference to the riding conditions. The air has been quite cold and the snow lingers in the air after you’ve roosted through it.
There’s not a lot of snow in the forecast for the next 5 days but there will be some sun, which always makes for fun riding. Arctic air will be with us for a few days here and it will be quite cold, especially in the wind, so make sure you dress appropriately.
Avalanche
Avalanche Canada is now doing regular forecasts and danger warnings now. Please make sure you check in there everyday you ride. Avalanche.ca
“Stiff pockets of wind slab may be lurking behind terrain features like ridges and ribs. The best riding is where the snow is deeper and provides support but stick to moderate slope angles, and seek out wind-sheltered places.
Hitting early-season hazards like rocks and stumps can also be a day wreaker.” – from Av Canada bulletin on Dec 1.
Don’t forget Av Canada is having a snowmobile raffle fundraiser.
Grooming
Good news! Quartz is fully operational. Regular grooming will be occurring now for the rest of the season. The plan is to get Gorman operation for the weekend as well. Silent will still be a week or two.
Trail Area Conditions Reports
Quartz Creek
We’re happy to say Quartz is now fully operational. Regular grooming to the cabin is occurring. Day tickets will be sold and passes checked 7 days a week.
There are still a lot of early season hazards but the riding has been quite good.
Riders leaving from Quartz parking lot on Nov 27, 2022
Nice conditions in the upper bowls at Quartz on Nov 27
There’s a new drying rack up at the cabin. Thanks to Golden Snowmobile Rentals for installing it.
New drying rack is being installed at the cabin
Gorman Lake
Silent Pass
All logging equipment has been pulled from the McMurdo area. There are still 12 loads to be pulled out of the 31km parking lot. There will be active logging along the 27km road all winter so make sure you’ve got a radio and are calling kms.
Parking is currently at the 46km on McMurdo road but the the 31km parking lot is where we will be operating from this winter.
Grooming operations are still 1-2 weeks away in Silent for us.
Waterfall feature on Nov 19.
East Quartz
Old Man
Westbench Trail
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.
