Feb 2, 2017 Golden BC Snowmobile Conditions

The big news this week is the snow we’re expecting. There’s anywhere from 25-50 cms forecast to fall over the next few days here in Golden, BC and  with temperatures staying quite cool, there should  be alpine bowls of super pow to snowmobile! It’s a good time to  get your game face on and head out our way.

Snow Beta

We had 11cms reported at KHMR over the week. The sky was mostly gray over the weekend and then turned blue mid-week. The temps plunged as the blue sky came out and things got pretty cold, this stiffened up the snowpack. There is snow expected and that will change the avalanche conditions.

Always  remember to check the avalanche conditions.  

**Please acquaint yourself with this important blog from Avalanche Canada regarding the recent snowmobiler avalanche death in Valemount. Our hearts go out to the affected friends and families of this tragedy.**

Weather

Looks like  it will stay mostly sunny with a small hit of snow on Sunday.

Travel and Active Forest Road Safety

The roads to the zones are generally in good condition this week but please keep in mind we’ve had 3 trucks off the road on the  Dogtooth FSR (Gorman Lake access) this year.  Gorman is a steep, winding, mountain road with big exposure off the sides. By the time you realize you’re going too fast, it’s too late. The smart driver pops it in the 1st gear and let’s their engine do the breaking.

The highways also continue to be full winter driving conditions (Jan 18, 2017 was especially gnarly). The warmer temps, that hover right on the freezing line are a recipe for black ice.  Please travel with care. Check out DriveBC for current conditions.

Logging Road Travel

There have been numerous incidents in the last couple of years between logging trucks and snowmobilers. Please read the following guidelines and watch the new video we just made.

• When entering onto an active logging road proceed with extreme caution.  
• Never attempt to pass a logging truck. If it pulls over, it is most likely preparing to meet another truck.  
• Every log truck has radio communication. If you do not have a radio, you are safest to follow behind a log truck and it will call your position for you.  
• If using a radio, call your kilometre locations and indicate whether you are traveling ‘up’ or ‘down’ .
• Always call your location when starting out from the parking lot, starting onto a new road and at the ‘must call’ signs.  
• Always yield the right-of-way to logging trucks.  
• There are many wide spots along the way. Anticipate the location of the loaded truck and pull into a wide spot before you meet and wait for the truck to pass.  
• When pulling over into a wide spot, park as far up as possible to leave room behind you for others.  

Looking to buy a VHF radio so you can communicate properly on forest roads? Please call Alpine IT in Golden BC.

Riding Areas

Quartz Creek

Conditions:  Great riding on mostly packed powder.
Grooms scheduled: Thursday, Saturday, Sunday evenings (Fridays and Wednesdays, if needed).
Fees: Everyday  ($25/rider).
Parking:  Parking lot will be  cleared as needed. Lots of room for enclosed trailers. Portable toilets in parking lots.
– Propane and firewood have both been restocked in upper cabin.  Please use conservatively.

Gorman Lake

Conditions:   Good powder and deep in the trees where others haven’t been.
Grooms scheduled:  Thursdays and Saturdays
Fees:  Everyday ($25/rider).
Parking:  3.5km ‘lower lot.’ There’s plenty room for enclosed trailers.
Road:   We’ve had 3  trucks over the bank this year! PLEASE drive slow.

Silent Pass

Conditions:  Packed powder. Trail in is rutted out.
Grooms scheduled:  Thursdays (Saturdays if required)
Fees:  Everyday ($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.

Please watch our road safety video.

West Bench Trail

Conditions:    Riding from Gorman to Wiseman corner is good. Wisemen Corner to Quartz is  has not been groomed and is still thin.
Grooms scheduled:  Gorman to Wiseman was last groomed on  Jan 28.  Another groom is scheduled this weekend.
Fees:  Everyday ($25/rider) payable at Gorman trailhead (or Quartz, but access is not recommended from Quartz as of yet).
Parking:  Park at Gorman parking lot.  (Quartz end not recommended)

Mt. 7

Groomed on Jan 28, 2017 to the main paragliding launch.

 

Susan Lake

Groomed on Jan 24, 2017

Sponsors

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Where’s the place to get food and drink around Golden? The Riverhouse is an authentic metal bar that deserves to be visited.

Welcome to Tourism Golden, the official travel and tourism site for Golden and Kicking Horse Country, BC Canada.

Golden is located between the Canadian Rocky Mountains and Columbia Mountain ranges and with close proximity to six of the most stunning national parks that Canada has to offer; Banff, Glacier, Jasper, Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Yoho.

Golden also sits at the confluence of the Kicking Horse River, a Canadian heritage river famous for whitewater rafting, and the Columbia River, a BC heritage river which meanders through the longest protected wetlands in North America.

With a varied selection of accommodation plus winter activities and summer activities, including family friendly activities, the friendly mountain town of Golden continues to be a perfect holiday destination from which to enjoy and explore the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

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PS- If you ever needed incentive to wear your tether, this is it.