Conditions Report: Jan 23 – Bright Side
The story of snowmobile conditions in Golden BC this week is all about the blue skies that will be the dominant weather pattern through the weekend and into early next week. There is powder out there but you have to search for it. The temps are also more manageable than the cold snap of last week so it’s basically explore time. The warming and emergency shelter has been installed in Silent and grooming ops have been keeping the trails flat. Avalanche conditions are forecast to continue be moderate/low/low through the weekend. We wish we could say it’s fresh and deep but there’s always a bright side (literally) to blue bird and moderate.
Blue Bird explore missions yielding good returns.
Seek and Ye May Find
Quartz Parking Lot info – Updated…
Please beware of the upcoming Selkirk Mountain – Quartz Creek Rest Area Clearing & Brushing Project located on Highway 1 and Quartz Creek FSR. Kenpesq’t Construction has been contracted by the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to carry out this work. Please be advised that the start date for this work has been postponed and is now scheduled to begin on January 22, 2025, and is expected to be completed on January 31, 2025 (weather permitting).
Project Details:
- Estimated Project Start Date: January 22, 2025
- Estimated Project End Date: January 31, 2025
- Work Hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM Monday to Friday
- Affected Areas: Selkirk Mountain – Quartz Creek Rest Area / Snowmobile Staging Area
- Traffic Impact: Expect traffic delays and intermittent road closures during the project, which may cause disruptions to travel along HWY 1.
- Golden Snowmobile Club Impact: Restricted access for snowmobile staging during active tree clearing operations.
- Estimated Duration of Delays/Closures: Intermittent east-bound traffic delays on HWY 1 up to 10 minutes in duration.
SledGolden will be updating our website and social media channels in terms of how this project will affect our operations. At the very least, the truck parking lot near the kiosk will be closed during this time.
Quartz parking lot logging information
Riley Suhan Backcountry Race
On April 5, 2025 the Golden Snowmobile Club will once again host the Riley Suhan Backcountry Race, one of the best events in all of snowmobiling! This unique mountain race traverses a large loop of the Quartz Creek riding zone in Golden BC and is executed in a timed, relay format. For 2025, on top of the normal race that combines the times of a randomly chosen, 4 person team, we will have an additional pro-level race with a special prize purse on a more challenging course. We’re sorting out the details of this pro race but be assured that the idea is for it to be awesome for both spectators and participants alike. Entry to the second pro race will require some sort of qualifying that we will determine before the event; it may likely be the top 10-20 times of the first lap are invited to try the second, more challenging lap, for a separate prize purse. We will announce the specifics as we iron them out.
Snow & Weather
SNOW AND WEATHER
KHMR reported 9 cms in the past week and a little bit fell today too (Jan 23). There’s not a lot snow-wise in the short term forecast so the bright side needs to be the blue sky that is going to be here this week. The temps are turning more reasonable by Sunday. Golden has had its first cold snap of the year the past week but things look to be returning to more normal winter temps this week.
Silent Pass on Jan 23
Stuck in Silent on the Jan 23
KHMR snow report on Jan 23
snow and temp forecast on Jan 23
Avalanche Safety
Avalanche Conditions
Please check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride!
screen shot of Avalanche.ca on Jan 23
From Avalache.ca on Jan 23 for Dogtooth Range area: “Seek out terrain sheltered from the wind for the softest snow and the lowest avalanche danger. Use caution in wind-affected terrain and avoid steep, rocky slopes with shallow snow cover.”
Travel and Terrain Advice from Jan 23:
- Carefully evaluate steep lines for wind slabs.
- Avoid steep, rocky, and wind-affected areas where triggering slabs is more likely.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Seek out wind sheltered terrain below treeline where you can avoid wind slabs and find great riding.
Grooming
Grooming
We’re excited to say that the new warming cabin has been installed at the end of the groomed trail in Silent Pass. This should be a nice touch on the cold days. We’re also happy to report that the approach road to Silent was plowed last Friday and it made things a lot better.
Grooming in Quartz, Gorman and Silent trails is ongoing in an as needed maintenance. The cold temps have been keeping the trails in excellent shape.
Quartz cabin on Jan 8th night. Photo by Mark Abbot.
Staging Areas Latest Info
Quartz Creek
Silent Pass
Good riding. Compaction in main areas. Still some powder if you search.
