Conditions Report: March 13 – DEEP!
It’s deep out there right now in Golden BC and there’s more on the way! It’s been a special week here with over 50-60 cms of new snow and the storms are not yet finished. Many people are getting the deepest turns of their winter and the giggles are on high supply this week. Avalanche conditions are considerable – high for the weekend and this will affect grooming and safe route choices are vital.
In other news we’re stoked to announce a $2,500 ProPurse for the Suhan Race! Keep reading to find out more.
Deep in the sub alpine in Quartz on Mar 10
Powder wheelies in Quartz on Mar 10
All time sunny deep pow in Quartz on Mar 10
Quartz
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 $2500+ 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 placing in the top 30 of the main race. The pro race will have a more challenging lap that is slightly longer than the main race. We will announce more specifics as we iron them out.
We will have a new start/finish location in 2025 – Cabin Valley! Head left past the cabin and you’ll be able to see the set-up. This will give better spectating for everybody at the start/finish area, including Dr. Poz who was really feeling left out in past years.
OVER 72% BOOKED!
87 spots registered. 33 spots left…
Snow & Weather
SNOW AND WEATHER
Like we said. It’s DEEP out there. But there’s also been a lot of wind and it’s made for some hectic avalanche conditions. The snow is deepest in the trees where the wind hasn’t affected it as much.
There’s approximately another 33 cms due to fall in the next couple of days as well and perhaps even more important than the amount of precipitation, is that the temperatures up high are staying cool. This secures the powder formula of deepness that we all crave…
33 cms still in the forecast
Storm board at Quartz Cabin on Mar 13
KHMR advanced weather data on March 13 shows approximately 16 cms fell during the day.
Avalanche Safety
Avalanche Conditions
Please check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride!
Screen shot of Avalanche.ca conditions at high on March 13 @4:23 pm
“Natural and human-triggered avalanches will become very likely to trigger on Thursday.” – March 13 on Avalanche.ca
Travel and Terrain Advice from March 13:
- Travel in alpine terrain is not recommended.
- Watch for fresh storm slabs building throughout the day.
- Continue to make conservative terrain choices while the storm snow settles and stabilizes.
- Be aware of the potential for large avalanches due to buried weak layers.
- Be especially cautious as you transition into wind-affected terrain.
- Storm slabs in motion may step down to deeply buried weak layers and result in very large avalanches.
- Remote triggering is a concern; avoid terrain where triggering overhead slopes is possible
Avalanche crown that propagated 350+m in Quarts on Mar 10
Grooming
Grooming
Grooming operations will be affected by the storms. We can not operate unless our avalanche forecasters say it is safe to do so. In times of poor avalanche conditions we can groom to 12km at Quartz and 47km at Silent.
Staging Areas Latest Info
Quartz Creek
Silent Pass
Gorman Lake
Logging work on the first km of the trail in. Watch for vehicles.
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.
