Conditions Report: Hold For Snow

November 23, 2023

Is it winter yet? Some would might say it is, but to be honest, old man winter is taking his sweet time. Yes, you can come to Golden and go sledding if you want to, but we’re not recommending it. Quartz has seen some heavy traffic already (for pre-season conditions) and the road in is now whooped and the open creek crossings are involving increased creativity to get past. The past week has seen very little snow fall, so the snowpack has settled to about 50-60 cms. If you really need to get out, we get it, but just be prepared, you’re going to come back and say ‘we need more snow.’

Sledding in Quartz on Nov 18

screen shot of @rSuhan sledding Quartz on Nov 13

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

Fall 2023 Hours

The Trans-Canada Highway through the Kicking Horse Canyon will be free of construction stoppages for the Thanksgiving holiday long weekend, from 12 noon Friday, October 6 through 12 noon Tuesday, October 10. Thereafter:

From 12 noon Tuesday, October 10 until the end of November 2023, expect half-hour stoppages during the daytime and evenings, as well as overnight closures from 10 pm to 7 am.
The number of overnight closures may be reduced toward the end of the period. Check the Highway Status Calendar and DriveBC for schedule updates, and roadway signage for real-time construction zone status.
The alternative route of Highways 93S and 95 is available for use during overnight closures
Non-through traffic from the east, i.e. westbound traffic destined for Lake Louise, Field, Beaverfoot and the Kicking Horse Rest Area immediately east of the 4.8 km canyon construction zone will not be affected

See the Highway Status Calendar and DriveBC for details.

TCH-1 work being done in Sept 2023

SNOW AND WEATHER

Quartz has seen a decent amount of traffic in the past week. There’s been at least 30 crews in to the zone in the past week and things are played out. You can still sled from the parking lot but the trail in is full of whoops. The creek crossings have been hacked out and now take some creativity to get through. Beginner sledders are advised to not venture out.

The groomer has been moved to Quartz and we are ready to track pack as soon as the snow will allow. That is step 1 before we get a full groom happening.

There’s 50-60cms of compacted snow at Quartz cabin.

Unfortunately there’s not a ton of snow in the forecast so it looks like the holding pattern will continue.

Snow pits in Quartz to start the year.

treading carefully on Nov 13 in Quartz

snow forecast for Quartz area on Nov 23

Avalanche

At this time of year avalanche info is harder to find than during the normal operating season. Please make sure you check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride.

There are some good posts via the MIN network available to read on avalanche.ca.

There has been some scary incidents and indications already, so please make yourself aware and prepared.

Travel and Terrain Advice

Avoid shallow snowpack areas, rock outcroppings and steep convex terrain where triggering is most likely.
Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind affected terrain.
Early season avalanches at any elevation have the potential to be particularly dangerous due to obstacles that are exposed or just below the surface.

Screen shot of Glacier NP Avalanche forecast on Nov 23

Grooming

Grooming operations have not yet started in the zones. Typically we need 80-100 cms of compacted snow before we can start. A cat has been moved to Quartz in the near future so that we’re ready when the snow is.