Feb 4, 2016 – Golden BC Snowmobile Conditions and Conditions Report
This will be a good weekend to visit Golden as conditions are all time with a little new snow forecasted and moderate temps in the alpine. Reports of over the bars deep snow in some areas are frequent and we are just shy of the 1.5 meter snowpack mark at lower elevations and close to 2 meters up higher so now is the time to come and spend a few extra days in Golden.
Powder in Quartz Creek on Friday Jan 29th.
The weather will warm next week so get it good while you can. 
Grooming and Fee Schedule
The grooming and fee collection schedule is as follows:
Quartz Creek
Grooms scheduled: Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (evenings).
Fees: Everyday ($25/rider)
Quartz cabin looking nice this week.
We were a little disappointed to find our brand new outhouse in Quartz Creek was compromised by an individual with inconsiderate motives and terrible aim with feces. We would prefer in this instance if you would instead relieve yourself in your pants and deal with it when you get home. If it was you and you are reading this, shame on you. Rest assured for everyone else that we have cleaned up the mess. It’s sad when one apples spoils things for everyone.
Outhouse toilet in Quartz cleaned up.
Gorman Lake
Grooms Thursday, Saturday (evenings). We did an extra groom on Sunday night Jan 31st this week.
Fees: Thursday-Monday ($25/rider)
Parking is at the 3.5km.
The road up to 3.5km has been gravelled but remains full of icey ruts.
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.
West Bench Trail
Groomed Jan 20th – first full drag of the whole trail. Fees are paid at Gorman and Quartz toll booths.
Susan Lake
Groomed Thursday Jan 28.
No Fees
Susan Lake trail nice and smooth.
BlaeBerry
Groomed Wednesday Feb. 3
No Fees
Blaeberry – groomed Wednesday Feb 3.
Snow Info
If you use snow reports from ski hills to check on snow conditions, they usually post 2 different numbers: YTD (year to date) and snowpack. YTD refers to accumulative snowfall that adds up all the recorded precipitation numbers and is quite higher than the snowpack number. The snowpack is a measurement of the accumulated snow after settlement, wind, solar radiation, and melt/freeze cycles, etc. For instance, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort is reporting 504cm YTD of accumulated snow and a 173cm snowpack.
Hot tip: when Kicking Horse Resort reports __cm of new snow, you can usually add on 5-10cm for the sledding zones around Golden.
Quartz Creek Snow Plot this week.
Moment of Pause
Our condolences to the victims and their families of the McBride incident, when a tragedy like that happens it affects the entire snowmobiling community. Without the RCMP and local search and rescue groups, speedy recoveries and rescues would not be possible; but there is no substitute for proper companion rescue skills. With proper gear and training we can do our best to prepare ourselves for when a good day goes bad.
The warmer weather is still lingering and combined with new snow it is causing a tricky snowpack so be sure to check the weather and avalanche conditions before you head out.
Please check with Avalanche.ca and heed the warnings.
Support Our Sponsors
Staying warm is part of being prepared when entering the backcountry, if you don’t have an extra set of mitts or gloves in your sled or bag, Darkside Snow and Skate has good stock on things to cover yourself up with.