Conditions Report: Pow! Winter Holds On!

March 25, 2021

It might be spring in the valley but winter is holding down the fort in the mountains. Like a super hero that won’t be beaten back, old man winter is staging a bountiful comeback. Golden has enjoyed a nice snow reset this week and there’s more on the way and we feel obliged to let you know that its really good out there. Grooming continues to fire on all injectors until April 12. You might want to bring some rubber boots for the parking lots these days as it’s muddy parking lot season. So far the roads to all the zones are holding but it could get mucky soon.

The first extended closure (requiring motorists to use Highways 93 and 95 as an alternative route) will have a duration of approximately one month, from April 12 to May 14, 2021. Additional plans are also taking place for March. See the Traffic Management page for details. https://www.kickinghorsecanyon.ca/

COVID Protocol:

Nonessential travel is not recommend at this time for both BC and AB.

Please wear your mask and observe social distancing while purchasing tickets or waiting in line. We need and appreciate your cooperation on this front.

The latest orders, restrictions and advisories for Covid 19 are here for both BC and Alberta:

BC: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/restrictions

AB: https://www.alberta.ca/enhanced-public-health-measures.aspx

The club has posted our COVID protocols here

Please advise yourself and abide by all provincial public health advisories. Sled Golden has a strong contingent of local members and participants and we are focusing on serving them during this time.

Snow and Weather

KHMR reported 25cms new this week so we all know that means a bit more in the sled zones. There’s been some gleeful reports about getting it good out there and the sledding, while not bottomless is still class fun.

Avalanche

Things have been mostly yellow and green but new snow and heat can always change that.

We’re giving out tons of cool prizes for the rest of the season to people who show us some avalanche smarts – check out our contest here: https://sledgolden.com/avalanche-safety/

Show proof of your AST training any day this winter at get $5 off your day pass.

Please check https://www.avalanche.ca/ for all updated avalanche forecasts and check out the MIN reports for our areas.

Grooming

We’ve made the decision to stay open until April 11. So that’s less than 3 weeks left of sledding.

We have our groomer tracking public for your consumption. Please see the section below the Trail Area Conditions Reports.

Sledding in Closures and National Parks

Unfortunately, there’s been some sledders tearing up Golden Alpine Holidays ski touring lodges terrain as of late. SledGolden is a member of GBRAP in which we have agreements in place to not sled in this terrain while the company is operating. This operation is important to the local economy and we ask that you do not sled in this terrain until April 15.

National Park Wardens will be increasing their patrols of boundaries in our areas, particularly in Quartz. In some areas, there has been excellent compliance, in other areas there’s been blatant disregard for the park boundary. Fines for using a motorized vehicle in the National Parks can be as high as $25,000. It’s also a black eye for the club to see sledders in the park, so please, just stay out. Park Wardens put another set of several signs along the borders so it’s going to be pretty hard to plead ignorance.

If you’ve got questions about what is a closed area and what is not, check out our overview map at www.sledgolden.com/zones .

Trail Area Conditions Reports

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Surprisingly good and it hasn't been as busy as you'd expect. Low hanging fruit was in on March 24.

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Fri, Sat (if needed), Sun

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: Trucks with decks park west of the kiosk, trailers use two lots on the east side.

Additional notes: Parking lots is getting muddy! There’s some crazy big frost whoops on the highway near Quartz – might want to slow down if you have a trailer.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: A fun reset this week. This is the time of year when Gorman shines.

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Sat.

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: Both parking lots at 3.5 plowed.

Road: Road has been in good shape.

Additional notes: Please yield to logging trucks. The Sea-Cabin will NOT be pulled in to Gorman this winter due to the limited size and our COVID regulations. We’ll have it back in action next winter!

Silent Pass

Conditions: Really good.

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Sat

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: Please park ON THE ROAD (not in the turn around) at the 30 km.

Road: Call your KMs on your VHF radio! Channel RR-3.

Additional notes: Road is muddy but not super trenched out yet (still freezing overnight). Looks like it will hold on for another week or so. Call your KMs on your VHF radio! Channel RR-3. The road in from the 27-30km is SINGLE LANE. It’s more important that ever to carry a radio and call your kms. In many places, not being able to pass each other is a real thing.

East Quartz

Conditions: Really good (shhhh).

Grooms scheduled: As needed

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: At Quartz Creek parking (see above)

Road: n/a

Additional notes: Watch for overhead danger.

Old Man

Conditions: Where's Old Man? Never heard of it? Keep it that way, because it's really good in there.

Grooms scheduled: As needed

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: At Quartz Creek parking (see above)

Road: n/a

Additional notes: Groomed to the end of the trail.

Westbench Trail

Conditions: Groomed - not continuous!

Grooms scheduled: As needed

Fees: $25, $5 discount if you can prove AST training

Parking: Park at Gorman or Quartz

Road: n/a

Additional notes: WBT is not a continuous trail this year due to logging operations. Closed at Cirque Creek from Gorman. Closed at Oldman turnoff from Quartz. For both sides, it’s a there-and-back trail. If you ride through the plowed road sections you could get up to a $2500 fine as sledding on plowed roads is illegal.

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:

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.