Conditions Report: Snowy Tip Toe

January 17, 2018

Snowmobiling in Golden in the upcoming week will be a mix of new snow and cold enough temps to keep the contrails flying behind you. As long as you can stay in safe terrain the recipe looks like a good time is cooking up. Avalanche conditions are still rate quite high so please be cautious.

How It’s Been:
The last week has been mostly sunny in the alpine with a big layer of cloud over the town. Temperatures have been mild for mid-winter. There have also been some windy days. The avalanche conditions were rated quite high and it was a touchy time to be out. That being said, there were still many awesome, accident free trips that went down.

Kinda near Quartz Creek.

Weather and Snow

There’s 30+ cms in forecast.There’s also high avalanche danger ratings.

Forecast near Quartz for the next week.

Screen shot of Purcell avalanche conditions on Jan 17, 2017

Screen Shot 2018-01-17 at 2.41.10 PM

Please check with http://www.avalanche.ca/map everyday before you head out.

Road Safety

Using a VHF radio on active logging roads is an essential part of having a safe day. Please watch our road safety video to learn more.

Economic Impact Study

Don’t be surprised if you are asked to fill out a survey at one of our trail heads. We are conducting an Economic Impact Study this winter. We’re hopeful the results of this study will help us get more funding to continue to make snowmobiling infrastructure better. Thank you for your patience.

Economic Impact Study questions being asked in all 3 managed areas. Photo @sledbigilnes

Events

AVALANCHE AWARENESS DAYS:Postponed to January 27! Join us at Quartz Cabin for Avalanche Awareness days. We’ll have fun prizes for beacon searches in our Beacon Basin, a BBQ and general good times.If you’ve passed Avalanche Safety Training (AST) get $5 off your day pass at any of our managed areas all weekend.

BBQ will be firing for Avalanche Awareness days.

GT OR DIE: Great news! We’ve announced Saturday April 14th as the date for this year’s GT or DIE races! It’s going to be a good time and there’s expanded events for kids during the early part of the day.

GT or Die gathering is on April 14th.

Quartz Creek

Conditions: High traffic in usual spots lately; powder will need to be hunted for. Trail is in good condition.

Grooms scheduled: Jan 17, 19, 20, 21

Fees: $25 - Everyday

Parking: The parking lot is cleared

Road: Watch for ice on the trail.

Additional notes: Quartz has been busy but the trail is in great shape and cabin is nice and warm (usually).

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Packed powder and thin snow on wind swept ridges.

Grooms scheduled: Jan 18 20,8

Fees: $25 - Everyday except Tues and Wednesday

Parking: Park at the "lower" (3 km) lot.

Road: Road could be icy with this new snow

Additional notes: This new snow should make the next few days at Gorman nice. Proceed in to avalanche terrain cautiously.

Silent Pass

Conditions: Fresh snow

Grooms scheduled: Jan 18, 20 (if needed)

Fees: $25 - Everyday except Tues and Wednesday

Parking: Parking at 21km.

Road: Road to the 21 has been cleared on Jan 17.

Additional notes: As of Wednesday the 17th you could get through to the 21km parking lot. The new snow could make the road less forgiving and the parking more complicated. Proceed with caution. The long sled in might be worth it this week…