Conditions Report: March 26 – Race Weekend

March 26, 2026

The big days of the Riley Suhan Backcountry race is here and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome the sledding world this weekend at Quartz Creek. Conditions are a mixed bag at the moment, at lower elevations there is a crust but for the most part our alpine has been spared. With the latest snow there are some nice pockets of powder. Avalanche conditions are moderate and considerable for the weekend and the cold air should keep the trails in good condition thanks to our great grooming crew.

finding air and powder this week.

Riley Suhan Backcountry Race

COURSE MARSHALLS NEEDED! We need volunteers to make the event happen! Get a free banquet ticket and some cash. Please email Magi

magi@magiscallion.com

Event is sold out.

Read the Sleddermag.com Recap Here from 2025.

Snow & Weather

SNOW AND WEATHER

Golden has had approximately 50 cms this week. Some would call it dust on crust at the moment others might be stoked there’s no alpine crust and call it deep. Things are cooling down compared to the warmth of last week and freezing levels will bounce around between 700-1600m.

snow-forecast for 2130 m near Quartz

Avalanche Safety

Avalanche Conditions

Please check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride!

avalanche.ca screen shot on March 26

“Wind slabs remain possible to trigger, especially on steep slopes below ridgetops. Triggering large persistent slabs may be possible in areas without a thick crust above the weak layer.” -Avalanche.ca Mar 26

Grooming

Grooming is on going in all 3 staging areas.

The cabin is now 1 step down to the patio. photo on March 16

Staging Areas Latest Info

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Good up high

Grooms scheduled: As needed

Fees: $30

Parking: Main lot

Additional notes: Suhan Race weekend expect it to be busy.

Silent Pass

Conditions: pretty good

Grooms scheduled: as needed

Fees: $30

Parking: 31 km

Road: not great - rough in mornings when it's frozen, greasy in the afternoons when it warms

Additional notes:

Silent Parking is at the 31. The road isn’t great but the riding is.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: pretty good

Grooms scheduled: as needed

Fees: $30

Parking: lower parking. 3.5km

Road: road is melted to gravel

Additional notes: A couple of dirt patches in the early part of the trail but otherwise the access is pretty good.

Old Man

Conditions: unreported

Grooms scheduled: none

Fees: $30 - pay at Quartz Kiosk

Parking: Quartz Main Lot

Additional notes: There’s some road work happening on the west bench trail and we’re not 100% sure how the access is from the Quartz base. If you know can you let us know @sledgolden?