Feb 24, 2016 – Golden BC Snowmobile Conditions and Conditions Report
We start this grooming report by offering our sincerest condolences to everyone affected by the 2 high profile avalanche events around Golden this past weekend. On Saturday an avalanche was triggered by a group of sledders in the East Quartz area and a fatality occurred. Our thoughts and prayers are with those suffering grief at this time.
We can never completely remove the risk of avalanche unless we stay home every day, but we can greatly reduce the chances of triggering one by making good choices on what terrain we ride and how we ride it. We must remember to not park in avalanche run out zones and not to load dangerous slopes with multiple participants. These are basic and essential requirements to avalanche prevention.
We can also improve chances of survival, when an avalanche is triggered, by carrying the necessary equipment for companion rescue (beacon, shovel, probe) and by also having the knowledge of how to use these pieces. An airbag backpack has basically become standard equipment for sledders as they have been proven to increase the chances of survival. A Spot or InReach can be the only link to the outside world for a call for help in most cases, and are worth every penny even if you only need it once. All this equipment is pretty much useless unless you know how to use it; so practice with it. It is common sense to take an avalanche course, but in case you haven’t, please be sure to take one before your next trip to the mountains.
Lastly, we want to thank the local Search and Rescue and RCMP for their constant work in backcountry safety situations. If it weren’t for those organizations there would be no assistance at all for backcountry users. Information on how donations can be made to Golden Search and Rescue is available at http://golden.vr-sar.org/ Golden is very lucky to have a very skilled team of volunteers on its Search and Rescue.
Grooming and Fee Schedule
The grooming and fee collection schedule for the next week is as follows:
Quartz Creek
Grooms scheduled: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (evenings).
Fees: Everyday ($25/rider)
Gorman Lake
Grooms Thursday, Saturday (evenings).
Fees: Thursday-Monday ($25/rider)
Parking is at the 3.5km.
The road up to 3.5km parking lot has been very icey lately but was graded down to the gravel on Feb 18.
Silent Pass
Grooms Thursday (afternoon), Saturday (evening)
Fees: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday ($25/rider)
Parking is just past the 45 km turn off to Mcmurdo Creek
Please call your radio markers, logging trucks are big.
West Bench Trail
Last groomed Feb. 12th
Fees are paid at Gorman and Quartz toll booths.
Susan Lake
Groomed Thursday Jan 28.
No Fees
BlaeBerry
Groomed Wednesday Feb 3.
No Fees
Avalanche Conditions
Please check the avalanche conditions before you ride at www.avalanche.ca
Here’s a video about Avalanche Conditions in the Golden Area shot on Feb 21, 2016.
Snow Conditions
KHMR has reported 12 cms in the last 7 days. We’ve had mostly clear skies lately and there is 20 cms forecasted by the end of Monday.
Good snow on mellow terrain on Feb 21, 2016
Here’s a video shot this week in Golden by Colin Wallace.
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Get in Touch
As always, you can reach us on our Facebook page with any questions or concerns, we will get back to you as soon as we can.