Conditions Report: Still November
It’s hard to believe it’s still November! We’ve had a great early season here in Golden BC but it’s still early. Grooming in Quartz is going strong and we are going to try to get Gorman done again but we’ve decided to hold off on grooming Silent Pass until we get more snow. We’ve had 25-30cm of snow this week and the sun is forecast to come out for the weekend. So if you’re in to early season riding, grab your kit and head for Golden. Keep reading below for more info.
How it’s Been
It’s been a mix of sun and cloud this week with fluctuating temps. Tues was the warm spike but we were happy to see it snowing hard at Quartz cabin and not raining. As this storm leaves us it’s forecasted to get much colder for the weekend.
Sledding in Quartz this November. @sledbigilnes
Tree riding in Quartz this November. Rider Aaron Bernasconi, photo @sledbiglines
Snow and Weather
We’ve had between 25-35cm this week. It feels like the south ranges (Silent Pass) didn’t get as much as Quartz.
KHMR snow report on Nov 28, 2018
You never really know how a day in the mountains will go unless you’re there. But Snow-Forecast.com can give you an idea. It looks pretty sweet if sunny powder is your thing.
Snow forecast near Quartz Creek on Nov 28, 2018
Avalanche Conditions
The good news is that the avalanche bulletins are back and being updated. Parks Canada also is doing regular updates for Glacier National Park. As always, if you can ride in the mountains you’re probably travelling in avalanche terrain. Please be careful and submit to the MIN Network if you can.
Screen shot of Parks Canada avalanche bulletin for Glacier NP on Nov 28, 2018
Avalanche Canada’s Nov 28, 2018 rating for the Purcell Mountains
EVENTS
Have you seen the re-cap video of the Riley Suhan Invitational?
Secure your spot in next year’s event NOW!
Plan for these!
Avalanche Awareness Days Jan 19, 2019
Quartz Creek
The riding above the cabin has been great early season riding. There has been a lot of traffic in Quartz so expect the easy to get to ares to be compacted.
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.
Please don’t sled past the National Park boundary signs.
There’s a cozy new/old fire stove in Quartz. Big thanks to all our volunteers to who helped last Sunday.
Out with the new and in with the old. We reconnected the old fire stove in Quartz cabin. It gets warm in there again!
Firewood doesn’t magically appear at Quartz cabin. It gets sorted and loaded and unloaded by quality volunteers. Please use the wood sparingly.
Gorman Lake
People have been driving to the upper parking lot at 11km and so that’s where we will try to groom from this weekend. It’s still early in Gorman and coverage is thin. People have been in there however and fun has been had.
Silent Pass
Access to Silent is a bit rough this week. We don’t feel that there’s enough snow to complete the groom and will therefore not be charging and fees. Canfor is plowing the road to the 21km but after that there’s been no road maintenance. Last week the parking was at the 45km
There was some fun had at Silent last weekend. Rumour we heard is that it took the first groups 2+hrs to finally punch the waterfall! The lakes are frozen.
