Dec 1, 2016 Snowmobile Conditions and Conditions Report for Golden BC
HO HO HO, It’s December and it sure feels like Christmas has come early because the snowmobile conditions in Golden BC are amazing. We’re very happy to announce that all 3 managed areas for SledGolden are scheduled to be open for Saturday and there’s 41cms of cold snow forecast to fall by Sunday! Read further for the details on grooming and parking.
In general, things are really good right now and it’s the right time to travel to Golden BC if you like powder.
Silent Pass Nov 26, 2016 was DEEEEP! Photo by @sledbiglines
Snow Beta
We’ve had over a metre of snowfall since our Nov 25 Conditions Report so you can imagine things are covering up. Saturday (Nov 26) in Silent Pass was epic deep to the point that self rescue from being stuck tested even veteran crews. There’s now deep accumulations up in the alpine bowls but the lower elevations are still thin. We still consider this to be early season so be extra vigilant for hazards.
Please remember to check the avalanche conditions. Currently, there’s not enough data to populate a South Columbia forecast, which means there’s an unknown factor and we should be even more aware of potential hazards. The temps have caused compaction in the snow and a good amount of settling has occurred.
Snowpit at Quartz Creek on Nov, 28. We’re watching a crust 140cm down. Photo by MMS
Deep Nov 26 in Silent Pass. Photo: @sledbiglines
Avalanche conditions posted by Parks Canada for Glacier National Park on Thursday Dec 1.
Weather
There’s almost half a metre in the forecast and temps look like they will be cool. In other words, start packing because it’s time to road trip!
Forecast for near Quartz Creek
Travel
The highways have been brutal the last couple of days. Please travel with care. Check out DriveBC for current conditions.
Riding Areas
Quartz Creek
Conditions: Good early season coverage. A lot of compaction from traffic. Deep snow where it’s fresh.
Grooms scheduled: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday evenings (Fridays and Wednesdays, if needed).
Fees: Everyday ($25/rider).
Parking: Regular parking lot. Lots of room for enclosed trailers.
Gorman Lake
Conditions: Good early season coverage. Not very much traffic. Deep snow where it’s fresh and a lot of rocks beneath that snow. These rocks have surprised many an early season rider so consider yourself warned. Groups have pushed into Holt and Lang. The lake is frozen.
Grooms scheduled: Thursday evening (Saturday evening – if needed).
Fees: Thurs-Sunday ($25/rider).
Parking: 3.5km ‘lower lot.’ There’s plenty room for enclosed trailers.
Road: Road is scheduled to get sanded Friday Dec.2 AM. It has been reported as very slippery.
Silent Pass
Conditions: Excellent early season sledding. A lot of deep snow. There’s still open creeks and slushiness around the lakes so be cautious. The waterfall feature has been claiming many victims already. There has also been traffic around it on the rider’s right.
Grooms scheduled: Thursday (Saturday if needed)
Fees: Thurs-Sunday ($25/rider).
Parking: Parking is about 100m after the Mcmurdo turn off at 46.5km. Try not to box anyone in. NO PARKING on the main road on weekdays please.
Road: Road is currently maintained by logging interests and there is active logging all week long. It gets plowed on Sundays. Please stay out of these guy’s way. We’re working on better communication from our kiosk to avoid any collisions.
Pre groom whoops in Silent
Post groomer whoops-be-gone.
Sponsors
Without our sponsors we couldn’t operate. Please support them when you come in to town and tell em we sent ya!
The Ramada in Golden BC, is the perfect place to stay on the highway. It features a nice pool, a workout area, video surveillance in the parking lots and many restaurants close by.
Mountain Motorsports is an Arctic Cat, Polaris, Yamaha and Timbersled dealer. They service all major brands of sleds and can kit you up from head to toe for your next adventure. Golden is lucky to have them.