Conditions Report: Sleeper Snow Days

January 12, 2023

It hasn’t snowed a lot lately but that doesn’t mean it hasn’t snowed at all. This week past we were treated to some better than forecasted snow days that made for some fun sleeper pow. We are hoping this trend continues into the next week and it just might, because there’s some uncertainty about the weather disturbance to the west of us and we’ve got our fingers crossed that Golden will get some too.

Our 3 maintained trail staging areas are in great shape and the standard trails of Silent Pass, Gorman Lake and Quartz Creek have been kept smooth, thanks to our grooming crews.

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

Sleeper pow day at Silent Pass on Jan 11, 2023

Travel

TCH-1 Highway

Highway 1 is open east of Golden with scheduled stoppages and overnight closures. It’s always good to check : Kicking Horse Canyon Calendar

SNOW AND WEATHER

Approximately 10-15 cms fell this week and with a bit of help from the wind, it felt like more in spots. There’s 6cms forecasted this week but like we mentioned earlier, that could turn out to be more. There’s definitely a need for more snow out there as the early season hazards are still lurking. The temps this week are warming to low minuses and then dropping off into the minus teens later the week.

Avalanche

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

“There is some uncertainty in the intensity of the incoming weather and it’s impact on the snowpack. Make conservative terrain choices and consider the consequences of being wrong. ” – copy and pasted from Avalanche.ca on Jan 12.

Our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the person who passed away in an avalanche incident this week near Kaslo.

Grooming

Grooming operations for all 3 staging areas Quartz, Gorman and Silent are in full swing with grooms scheduled as needed.

Oldman has been delayed till more snowfall makes it possible and East Quartz is waiting on avalanche clearance.

Trail Area Conditions Reports

Quartz Creek

Conditions: Main bowls are compacted

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:

Quartz is fully operational. Regular grooming to the cabin is occurring. Day tickets will be sold and passes checked 7 days a week.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: still thin

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. Very thin snowpack.

Silent Pass

Conditions: packed powder

Grooms scheduled: Thursday/Saturday - as required

Fees: $30

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

Road: active logging on road.

East Quartz

Conditions: Early season but doable

Grooms scheduled: waiting for avalanche clearance

Fees: $30 as per Quartz

Parking: Main Quartz

Road: N/A

Additional notes: The road to East Quartz has not yet been groomed this season but several groups have been up there. We’re waiting on avalanche clearance to proceed.

Old Man

Conditions: unreported

Grooms scheduled: next snowfall

Fees: $0

Parking: At Quartz Creek upper lot

Road: N/A

Additional notes: We hope this new snow will allow us to push into Old Man soon.

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.