Conditions Report: DEEP TOO!

January 31, 2018

Are we having the best winter ever? Sure feels like it. Dang is it deep out there and there’s a casual 52cm more in the forecast. Avalanche conditions are still dangerous so let’s not ruin the good thing we got going here but if you play it safe there’s a lot of snow to enjoy.

UPDATE: Silent will be groomed on Friday, February 2.

How It’s Been:
It pretty much snowed all week until yesterday (Jan 30) when we saw the sun for a blue sky powder morning. And now it’s snowing again.

Screen Shot 2018-01-31 at 10.19.13 PM

Grooming Silent Pass on Jan 31, 2017

Weather

We’ve had a lot of snow and it looks like we’re expecting a lot of snow. There’s 52cms in the forecast and it looks like the temps will stay cool. There has been a lot of wind with this weather.

KHMR snow report screen shot on Jan 31, 2017

Forecast near Quartz Creek on Jan 31, 2017

Common sense says that with this much new snow that avalanches are going to be bigger and more likely. How about finding some low angle trees, where you’re at lower risk, and having a blast?

A recent slide in Quartz. Photo A McBride.

Avalanche conditions screen shot on Jan 31, 2017 for the Purcell Mountains

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

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: Deep powder in the trees. The usual paths are compacted and intermediate friendly.

Grooms scheduled: Thurs, Fri, Sat, Sun

Fees: $25 - Everyday

Parking: Cleared on Jan 30

Additional notes: Quartz is playing really nice right now. With the accumulations the trail may be more bumpy, quicker than on a cold clear day.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: A lot of wind and snow mean Gorman will be good and sketchy at the same time.

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Fri, Sun

Fees: $25 - Everyday except Tues and Wednesday

Parking: Could be snowy.

Road: Road could be slippery with this new snow

Additional notes: Gorman is deep in the trees. We had high winds throughout the week. Watch the slabs.

Silent Pass

Conditions: Fresh snow

Grooms scheduled: Fri, Sun

Fees: $25 - Everyday except Tues and Wednesday

Parking: Parking at 21km.

Road: Road Plowed to 21. Use caution - needs some love from a grader, too, but that will be in a week or two.

Additional notes:

*Groomer broke down at 43km on Wed. Repair parts arrived on Friday morning and grooming will happen ASAP machine is repaired (likely Friday and then again on Sunday)

Lots of snow in the zone.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: A lot of new snow

Grooms scheduled: Often groomed on weekends to Wyseman Corner.

Fees: $25 (pay at Gorman Lake trailhead)

Parking: Gorman Lake 3 km parking

Additional notes: The full trail of WBT is not in but if you start at Gorman and go to Wiseman corner and turn around you can have a good ride.

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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