Conditions Report: Jan 30 – Snow On The Way

After a long dry spell we’re excited to see some flakes in the forecast. Looks like approx 25cm is forecast by the end of the weekend and that will add some much needed softness to our main areas. It looks like the weekend is the time to get after it because the cold is coming back with a vengeance early next week. Grooming operations are business as usual and our trails are in great shape. Avalanche conditions have jumped to Considerable and there’s an important update from Avalanche.ca about Shifting Your MindSet. There’s 42 registered racers for the Riley Suhan Backcountry Race!

Ready to shred pow again? Quartz in 2024

wheelie on Jan 25

braaap on the 25th of Jan.

Quartz Parking Lot info – Updated…

Equipment moved out on Jan 30th on the highway logging project. Sounds like it is back to normal at the Quartz parking lot, there is just a lot less trees.

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.

REGISTER HERE!

42 spots registered. 78 spots left… 

Snow & Weather

SNOW AND WEATHER

KHMR reported 4 cms in the past week and it’s been mostly blue sky recently.  The mornings and valley bottoms have been cold with some inversions with warmer temps in the alpine.  As mentioned in the intro, there’s 25 cms in the forecast over the weekend and this will be a welcome change. Temps will ‘warm’ up while the snow is here but it looks like another deep freeze is on its way after the snow; this weekend is definitely looking like the time to get after it.

screen shot of snow forecast on Jan 30

Silent Pass on Jan 23

Stuck in Silent on the Jan 23

KHMR snow report on Jan 30

Avalanche Safety

Avalanche Conditions

Please check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride!

Screen shot of Avalanche.ca on Jan 30

From Avalache.ca on Jan 30 for Dogtooth Range area: “The incoming storm is driving the avalanche danger. Reactive storm slabs will build throughout the day. It’s time to step back. Check out the new Forecaster Blog “Shifting your Mindset” 

Travel and Terrain Advice from Jan 30:

  • Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
  • Watch for newly formed and reactive wind slabs as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
  • Use caution above cliffs and terrain traps where even small avalanches may have severe consequences.

Grooming

Grooming

Grooming in Quartz, Gorman and Silent trails is ongoing on an as-needed maintenance. The cold temps have been keeping the trails in excellent shape.

Silent Seacan Shelter installed at the end of the Silent Pass trail.

Quartz cabin on Jan 8th night. Photo by Mark Abbot.

 

Staging Areas Latest Info

Quartz Creek

Conditions: packed powder - compaction in main areas
Grooms scheduled: As needed
Fees: $30/sled
Parking: main parking lot
Additional notes: Good riding. Flat Trail. Parking lot is cleared. East Quartz trail has been pushed.

Silent Pass

Conditions: packed powder
Grooms scheduled: as needed.
Fees: $30/sled
Parking: 31km lot - please do not drive past.
Road: road has been plowed. Log hauling activity Use a radio to call you kms. RR3
Additional notes:

Good riding. Compaction in main areas. Still some powder if you search.

 

Gorman Lake

Conditions: packed powder
Grooms scheduled: As needed moving forward (once a week)
Fees: $30/sled
Parking: 3.5km lower lot
Road: road can be icy! Call your kms! RR27
Additional notes:
Looks like come January, PWT will have a logging crew and hauling from the West Main road as well so will be maintaining the Dogtooth to the 3.5km lot most of the winter.

KNOW WHERE YOU RIDE

Sponsors

Please support our sponsors:

Our projects and operations would not be possible without the support of these organizations:

Our W25 sponsors