Conditions Report: Sunny Traction
There’s a high pressure ridge over Golden BC right now that’s making for some beautiful sunny days in the mountains. With 20cms of new snow over the last week, there’s fresh tracks to be had and the cold temps are keeping it preserved. There’s some fun powder pockets to be had and the traction on climbs is all time. The avalanche danger continues to be moderate and grooming teams are keeping the trails flat. The mountains are calling this weekend and you should go.
Powder turns in Upper Holt on Feb 14
Fresh tracks in Gorman on Feb 14.
Looking down onto Gorman Lake with the pass to Lang on the left on Feb 14, 2024
Travel
TCH-1 Highway
BIG NEWS! Highway 1 is fully open east of Golden with NO scheduled stoppages and overnight closures.: Kicking Horse Canyon Calendar
Warning! – Just east of Quartz the frost heaves are worse than ever this year. Slow down if you’re hauling weight…
CALL YOUR KMS!. Please note there is a lot of industrial traffic on the Dogtooth FSR this year. Grab a radio and call up on RR27
Snow & Weather
SNOW AND WEATHER
It’s not epic deep, but there are some worthy pockets of fresh snow that are available for the taking. The best spots are in the alpine. We’ve had approximately 20 cms of new snow in the past week; there isn’t much in the forecast but there is some sun. There’s approximately 150cms of snow as an average base.
Temps have been quite cold this week and the alpine remains quite cool during the day, even when it’s full sun. This has preserved the snow but riders thinking it will feel like spring might regret leaving their extra puffy layer in the truck.
Fresh tracks in Gorman on Feb 14.
Wheelie in Gorman on Feb 14
snowforecast near quartz on Feb 15
Avalanche Safety
Avalanche Conditions
Check Avalanche.ca everyday you ride!
From Avalache.ca on Feb 15: “Tracks on a slope do not mean it is safe. Deep persistent slabs are a low-probability, high-consequence avalanche problem that are best managed by choosing to ride conservative terrain.”
Travel and Terrain Advice from Feb 15:
- Be mindful that deep instabilities are still present and have produced recent large avalanches.
- Be aware of the potential for surprisingly large avalanches due to deeply buried weak layers.
screen shot of Avalanche.ca Purcell region on Feb 15
Grooming
Grooming
Grooming operations are in full swing this weekend and trails are staying smooth with the cold temps. Special thanks to the grooming crew who went over and above the call of duty and flattened a lot of nasty whoops above the cabin in Quartz; this was much appreciated.
smooth base area and trails above the cabin in Quartz on Feb 10
Staging Areas Latest Info
Quartz Creek
Silent Pass
Road was plowed on week of Feb 5. Gnarly frost heaves at 30-31 km got filled with gravel on Feb 7. Tight access on the last couple kms; use your radio to communicate. Parking lot is good for trailers.
