Conditions Report: Fresh Snow… Can it be True?
It’s looking like we might get a tickle of fresh snow this week, which looks too good to be true. It means a break in the cold temperatures and a much needed small reset in our riding areas. If this snow does materialize the weekend could be pretty rad, with sunshine, warmer temperatures and the dusting of fresh white gold.
We’re rolling into our events season here in Golden and have got some great ones to check out.
Poker Ride / March 23 – Ride from Gorman to Quartz along the West Bench Trail. See the sights, collect your poker cards and enjoy a great BBQ at the Quartz trailhead at the end of the day. Half the registration pot will go to the rider with the best poker hand.
Riley Suhan Invitational / April 6 – The first real mountain snowmobile race, now in its second year. We’ve got a few more registration spots available this year but sign up soon before they’re gone.
GT or Die / April 20 – A classic season ender here in Golden. Bring your favourite GT snow racer to Quartz cabin and challenge others in head-to-head racing on an alpine course.
Weather
It’s looking positive for fresh snow and warmer temperatures this weekend and we could not be more excited to end this draught.
Check out our webcam, weather data (including snowfall) and the local weather forecast on our webcams page: www.sledgolden.com/webcams-and-conditions/
Avalanche Safety
Check out avalanche bulletins (https://www.avalanche.ca/map/forecasts/purcells) each time you go. Conditions are moderate to low across the board right now but will likely spike before the weekend with fresh snow. Watch for some changes and late-day-danger as the tempreatures rise, but also enjoy this great opportunity to for good travel in the Alpine! Avalanche forecasts are updated daily and conditions can change quickly. If you can ride in the mountains you’re probably travelling in avalanche terrain. Please be careful and submit what you see to the MIN Network.
Grooming
Trails have been looking good since the cold snap hit and we’re on track for regular grooming all of this weekend. Should be flat and fast access.
*Please note: GSC grooming operations are responsive to WorkSafe BC protocols for avalanche safety and working alone. This means the GSC grooming operations are under the direction of a professional avalanche forecaster, who, at times, applies limits to the terrain that the groomer can pass through and this may affect the grooming product. The turnaround points are normally at 11 km in Quartz, 14 km in Gorman, and 48 km at Silent. Please adjust your expectations accordingly. *
Events
Poker Ride! March 23, 2019 – Ride the WestBench Trail from Gorman to Quartz and collect poker cards to play during the BBQ wrap-up at Quartz Creek.
Riley Suhan Invitational – April 6, 2019 – The first back-country snowmobile race is now in its second year. Registration is now open – limited to 80 riders, first come, first served.
GT or DIE – April 20, 2019 – Extreme GT-ing in the alpine. Need we say more.
Donations NEEDED!
Travel on Logging Roads
Please observe proper safety on the logging roads. Radio channel in Silent is RR3 (150.140)
Quartz Creek
It’s a great time to explore all the corners of Quartz with mostly packed powder making travel easy.
PLEASE STAY OUT OF THE PARKS! Please don’t sled past a sign and in to the National Park. We got called this week from Parks Canada and they are going to up their enforcement in the area.
Gorman Lake
Silent Pass
Mostly packed powder but conditions could change fast with this forecast.
Logging operations are ongoing this year, currently up a spur off the FSR at 21 km. Therefore you can drive to the 24km parking lot but expect to encounter industrial vehicles nearly the entire way. Please review our road safety video and drive with care.
Summit Lake riders: The logging operation has cleared a small parking area about 2 km up the spur road at the 21 km. Do not park at the normal parking at 21 km and ride on the plowed road.
