Conditions Report: High Pressure Times

January 27, 2021

Whilst “cold and dry” has been the name of the game here lately in Golden, it really hasn’t been all that cold or all that dry… and there is some hope for freshies in this week’s forecast. Ride on!

COVID Protocol:

Nonessential travel is not recommend at this time for both BC and AB.

Please wear your mask and observe social distancing while purchasing tickets or waiting in line. We need and appreciate your cooperation on this front.

The latest orders, restrictions and advisories for Covid 19 are here for both BC and Alberta:

BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

AB: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

The club has posted our COVID protocols here

Please advise yourself and abide by all provincial public health advisories. Sled Golden has a strong contingent of local members and participants and we are focusing on serving them during this time.

Snow and Weather

We’ve had a nice blast of blue sky but it looks like we’ll be getting some snow dust this week and perhaps a proper dump by the end of the weekend. Bundle up and always be prepared to spend the night outside!

Avalanche

It’s been a nice period of relatively low hazard, but that’s looking to change with some fresh snow burying the surface hoar. Check the forecasts every day you go out and report any sightings on the MIN network.

BC Adventure Smart will be at Quartz staging on Saturday to provide information on avalanche safety. Look them up! Show proof of your AST training any day this winter at get $5 off your day pass.

Please check https://www.avalanche.ca/ for all updated avalanche forecasts and check out the MIN reports for our areas.

Grooming

Trails have been in great condition lately, with the low temps and low precipitation. We managed to get a new load of firewood up to Quartz and also new signage at the Silent trailhead.

We *finally* have our groomer tracking public for your consumption. Please see the section below the Trail Area Conditions Reports.

Trail Area Conditions Reports

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Packed...

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Fri, Sat (if needed), Sun

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: Trucks with decks please park in the lower lots.

Road: Winter tires to get around the parking lots are always a good idea.

Additional notes: We’ve been seeing a few patrols from Parks Canada wardens lately and some tickets handed out for people riding in the park. Just a reminder that it’s your responsibility to know where you are and to stay out of closed areas.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Flat

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Sat.

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: Both parking lots at 3.5 plowed.

Road: Road has been in good shape.

Additional notes: A lot of active log hauling in Gorman. The kiosk attendant can call up the road for you if you don’t have a radio. RR 27 is the channel. Please yield to logging trucks. The Sea-Cabin will NOT be pulled in to Gorman this winter due to the limited size and our COVID regulations. We’re planning to have it back in action next winter!

Silent Pass

Conditions: Packed.

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Sat

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: Please park ON THE ROAD (not in the turn around) at the 30 km.

Road: Call your KMs on your VHF radio! Channel RR-3.

Additional notes: Silent has seen a lot of traffic lately… but it is a big zone.

East Quartz

Conditions: Packed

Grooms scheduled: Fri

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: At Quartz Creek parking (see above)

Road: n/a

Additional notes: Watch for overhead danger.

Old Man

Conditions: Packed

Grooms scheduled: Thur

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: At Quartz Creek parking (see above)

Road: n/a

Additional notes: Groomed to the end of the trail. Not recommended for beginner riders – saw some tricky situations in there last weekend.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: Groomed - not continuous!

Grooms scheduled: Sunday

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: Park at Gorman or Quartz

Road: n/a

Additional notes: WBT is not a continuous trail this year due to logging operations. Closed at Cirque Creek from Gorman. Closed at Oldman turnoff from Quartz. For both sides, it’s a there-and-back trail. If you ride through the plowed road sections you could get up to a $2500 fine as sledding on plowed roads is illegal.

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:

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.