Conditions Report: March 27 – Already Cooling
Conditions in Golden are a mixed bag at the moment. The snow up high in Quartz was described as mashed potatoes and wet but still good on Mar 26. Reports from the 27 said the rain went to the roof but it’s already cooling and leaving a frosted tree tops behind it as of 14:00. The trend is for cooling temps and more snow and our hope is that winter will make another stand in the coming week, up high at least. Down low things are getting to dirt but the ride in from Quartz is mostly snow. Dangerous avalanche conditions continue, with large, destructive natural avalanches remaining possible. Grooming will continue as allowed by our avalanche safety plan. Parking in Gorman is a bit of a free for all. Keep reading for more info:
Quartz Mar 27
Quartz on Mar 26
Sunny perfect pow near Quartz on Mar 17
East Quartz on Mar 20
pow in Silent Pass on Mar 14
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 91% BOOKED!
110 spots registered. ONLY 10 spots left…
VOLUNTEERS WANTED! Special prizes and paid positions available for course marshals. please email sled@sledgolden.com
Snow & Weather
SNOW AND WEATHER
We’ve had approximately 50 cms of snow this week! And normally that’s a great thing, but we’ve also had a lot of warm weather and it’s made it hard to predict just how things will be. Reports from Mar 26 had the snow up high being pretty fun – wet, but good. There’s approximately 17cms in the forecast but more importantly, the temps are falling back to normal negatives and this should allow for winter to continue, at least up high. Hopefully the cooler temps can heal the snow and make it great again.
Snow-forecast screen shot for near Quartz on Mar 27
Pow on Mar 17
East Quartz/Lang traverse on Mar 20
Avalanche Safety
Avalanche Conditions
Please check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride!
Screen shot of avalanche.ca on Mar 27 at 13:00
“Dangerous avalanche conditions continue, with large, destructive natural avalanches remaining possible.” – March 27 on Avalanche.ca
Travel and Terrain Advice from March 27:
- Cornice failures could trigger large and destructive avalanches.
- Avoid exposure to overhead avalanche terrain; avalanches may run surprisingly far.
This is MIN report is 100% worth a look and read
Slope to riders right at the end of the Gorman trail on March 26.
Gorman main wall on March 26
Avalanche debris observed in East Quartz on Mar 20
Avalanche debris observed near the Gorman Holt col on Mar 20
Avalanche crown that propagated 350+m in Quarts on Mar 10
Grooming
Grooming
Grooming operations will be affected by the the avalanche conditions. We can only groom when it safe to do so. Parking and roads conditions fluctuate on a daily basis right now.
Silent Warming Shelter
Staging Areas Latest Info
Quartz Creek
Silent Pass
Gorman Lake
First few km of trail is very thin and icy in the morning. Not a lot of places to cool down. 3.5km lower lot is dirt. People have been parked at upper lot (11km) when it was frozen. Snow line is approximately at the 8km mark. Trailers are not recommended above the 3.5km lot.
