Conditions Report: Happy New Year!

January 3, 2018

If your new year resolution is to sled more, we’ve got just the information you need to get dialed in for Golden BC. It’s pretty good out here if you can find a spot where no one has been. The blue skies and deep powder this week have made for some magical days out. With sun and snow in the forecast this week, it’s a good time to get in to the mountains and burn off all those extra calories you ingested over the holidays.

AVALANCHE AWARENESS DAYS: Jan 13 is Avalanche Awareness days. 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.

Wow, was it ever cold over New Years! But those who ventured out were rewarded with some amazing conditions.

Getting pow and sun on Jan 2, 2017. Photo @sledbiglines.

Kayli Dentman having a time on Jan 2, 2017. Photo by RSuhan.

Vid: The Mountain Motorsports crew were out ripping pow this week too.

Weather

The good news is that the temps are a lot warmer than last week. When -12 feels warm, you know you’ve been through a cold snap.
Screen Shot 2018-01-03 at 7.21.00 PM

Snow

We’ve had about 30cms in the last week, but to be honest, it felt like more. There’s another 30 forecast in the next week so here’s hoping that it comes in with more than predicted and we get a full reset.

KHMR snow report on Jan 3, 2017

Avalanche

Heads up hockey! Please check www.avalanche.ca every day before you venture out.

Purcell avalanche conditions screen shot on jan 3, 2017

Events

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 3,4,5,6,7

Fees: $25 - Everyday

Parking: The parking lot is cleared

Road: Watch for ice on the trail.

Additional notes: Quartz has seen heavy traffic over the holidays. There’s a new wood stove going in (hopefully) this week, which will make heating the cabin more efficient.

Gorman Lake

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

Grooms scheduled: Jan. 24, 26

Fees: $25 - Everyday except Tues/Wed

Parking: Lots of parking at 3 km (main) lot.

Road: It's a steep mountain road, please use chains and lower gears.

Additional notes: Gorman has seen some windÂ so the best snow is in the trees. You might have to travel far to find the best snow.

Silent Pass

Conditions: Packed powder

Grooms scheduled: Jan 6 only (updated Jan 5 / broken groomer)

Fees: $25 - Everyday except Tues/Wed

Parking: Parking at 21km.

Road: Road is passable to the 21km parking lot.

Additional notes: The long sled in means that the good riding snow has been more preserved than usual in Silent. The GSC paid for road clearing on Dec. 29 from the 7km to the 21km. There has been snow since then but not enough to stop traffic from getting to the 21km parking lot.Â Â Updates on maintaining this road will be a week by week decision.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: Very thin

Grooms scheduled: No grooms scheduled until more snow arrives

Fees: $25 (pay at Gorman Lake trailhead)

Parking: Gorman Lake 3 km parking

Additional notes: WBT is still not groomed due to low snow. You can ride from the Gorman side on thin snow.

Avalanche Conditions

Please continually check Avalanche.ca for avalanche info

Weather Conditions

This weather report is a pretty good one that applies to most of our areas.

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