Conditions Report: OK December

December 8, 2022

Sledding conditions in Golden BC are ‘pretty ok’ right now, which is one notch down from ‘pretty good’ but two notches up from ‘not that great’! It’s been a low snow fall, so things are not that filled in but the coverage has been supportive and it’s actually awesome in some spots. There’s several unburied hazards and some of the creeks are still open, but is it possible to come here and have a good time? You bet. Just avoid the pretty bad spots…

Keep reading to hear more about sledding in Golden this week.

Sledding in Quartz on Dec 8, 2022

Quartz on Dec 7, 2022

MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE

Have you bought your trail pass club membership for the season? It’s the best bang for the buck you can get. Memberships also help us with grants applications by showing how many people are involved, so thanks for supporting.

Travel

TCH-1 Highway

Highway is OPEN east of Golden. There are still overnight closures and stoppages during the day. It’s always good to check : Kicking Horse Canyon Calendar

Quartz Construction: is cleared away. Just keep it between the mustard and the mayo between Golden and Quartz and you’re good to go… Seems like several people had trouble with that this week.

SNOW AND WEATHER

There’s not a lot of snow in the forecast for the next 5 days. The dribs and drabs we’ve been getting this week past are making a difference and there are some good elevation bands where the snow is decent. Valley bottoms are still quite low, but mid mountain is where the goods are. The alpine has seen a lot of wind.

Avalanche

Please make sure you check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride.

“Wind slabs are showing reactivity to rider-triggered avalanches. Weaker layers buried further down may be triggered where the snowpack is shallower. Terrain choice will be key in seeking out the best and safest riding. Hitting early-season hazards like rocks and stumps can also be a day wreaker.” – from Av Canada bulletin on Dec 8.

Please don’t let your guard down in ‘moderate’ conditions.

Don’t forget Av Canada is having a snowmobile raffle fundraiser.

Grooming

Grooming operations for Quartz and Gorman are in full swing. Grooms are scheduled as needed. The DFD mobile warming cabin has been placed in Gorman on Dec 8.

We got the injector part we have been waiting for so Silent should get groomed next week.

Trail Area Conditions Reports

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Good early season coverage

Grooms scheduled: Regularly / As needed. Wed/Fri/Sun

Fees: $30

Parking: At main lot - Trucks in the upper west, Trailers in the upper lots to the east.

Road: groomed

Additional notes:

We’re happy to say Quartz is now fully operational. Regular grooming to the cabin is occurring. Day tickets will be sold and passes checked 7 days a week.

There are still a lot of early season hazards but the riding can be quite good.

Sledding in Quartz on Dec 8, 2022

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Early Season

Grooms scheduled: Friday

Fees: $30

Parking: 3.5km lots

Road: Watch for ice spots

Additional notes: DFD warming cabin has been installed on Dec 8. Lake has slush on it still. Very thin snowpack.

Silent Pass

Conditions: Good early season coverage

Grooms scheduled: none

Fees: N/A

Parking: 31km - leave room for large trailers to turn around.

Road: active logging on road.

Additional notes:

All logging equipment has been pulled from the McMurdo area. There will be active logging along the 27km road all winter so make sure you’ve got a radio and are calling kms.

Parking is at the 31 km. The lot has been cleared from logs and there’s a lot of room there.

Grooming operations should transpire next week.

logging truck on the North Fork road on Dec 6

waterfall feature on Dec 6, 2022

East Quartz

Conditions: unreported

Grooms scheduled: N/A

Fees: $30 as per Quartz

Parking: Main Quartz

Road: N/A

Old Man

Conditions: unreported

Grooms scheduled: none yet

Fees: $0

Parking: At Quartz Creek upper lot

Road: N/A

Westbench Trail

Conditions: not passable

Grooms scheduled: N/A

Fees: $0

Parking: Gorman or Quartz

Road: N/A

Additional notes: not open at this time

Grooming Map

The map below is linked to the safety InReaches we have in our groomers and we have been able to make the tracks public. How to use the map: (works on Chrome but may not work on Safari. iPhones may or may not work properly)

Press on the + next to the groomer/zone you want the latest information for.
Once the line is visible, press on the line to see the date & time the groomer was last in action.

This map only shows the most recent groom. You can inquire at any of our trailheads for additional grooming information, including number of riders since the last groom.