Conditions Report: Snow, Sun and Sayonara

April 8, 2021

All good things must come to an end and this is the last week of operations for Sled Golden in winter 2021. There has been another full reset of snow this week and there is still more coming. Looks like we will see the sun by the end of the weekend. Parking lots and roads are showing spring’s advances but the snow up high is copious. Sunday, April 11 will be our official last day, just before the highway 1 closures take effect. Keep reading to find out more.

The first extended closure (requiring motorists to use Highways 93 and 95 as an alternative route) will have a duration of approximately 1.5 months, from April 12 to June 1, 2021. 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

We had about 20 cms in the last week but with the wind, it felt like way more. Most zones enjoyed a complete reset and the pow was on again. There’s 10-15 cms forecasted in the next couple days and then we should see the sun pop out.

Avalanche

Things are looking mostly yellow and green these days with a bit of orange. Warmth can change everything. Be cautious what’s above you.

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

Last weekend – we’ll keep it flat and make it all flat one last time before we close up and move out! Mt7 got a couple grooms last week if you’re looking for an excuse to watch sunset from a “mountain top.”

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: Powder, packed powder. Incredible coverage and late season sledding

Grooms scheduled: Wed, Fri, Sun

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

Parking: Parking lots is getting muddy! Trucks with decks please park west of the kiosk, trailers use two lots on the east side.

Road: There's some crazy big frost whoops on the highway near Quartz - might want to slow down if you have a trailer.

Additional notes: Trail is in good condition – snow from kiosk.

Gorman Lake

Conditions: Packed powder - excellent!

Grooms scheduled: Fri, Sun

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

Parking: Parking at 3.5 or 11 km. Big trailers will want to park at the 3.5km but a truck with good tires can make it to the 11km. Just don’t block the way and be prepared to rescue the punter who tries to go further than they should.

Road: Road has been in good shape. Please yield to logging trucks.

Additional notes: This is the time to ride Gorman. It’s really good in there. We’re going to try and keep the cat up at the upper lot and through in some random grooms in April. 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: Powder and packed powder

Grooms scheduled: Fri, Sun

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: Road is pretty bad. Mud bogging past the 17km should be anticipated. Not awesome for big trailers. Call your KMs on your VHF radio! Channel RR-3. The road in from the 27-30km is SINGLE LANE.

Additional notes: Please don’t clog up the mandatory turn around at the 30 km mark. Please keep that turn around area clear. 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: Packed powder

Grooms scheduled: Done for season

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: Packed powder

Grooms scheduled: Done for season

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: Not recommended

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.