Jan 26, 2017 Golden BC Snowmobile Conditions

Snowmobiling in Golden this week has been all about getting up high above the clouds. There’s been excellent travel on powder and packed powder and it the temps have been great. We’re excited to announce that we got a fresh groom in to Susan Lake this week. We do this once or twice a year for trail riders and ice fisherman.

Snow Beta

The week started out with very cold temps and high winds. Then, a warm storm came in and  deposited 30-50cm with  the temps spiking above 0 degrees in town. The conditions can be good out there but also there should be heightened avalanche awareness.

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

Not a lot of new snow this week but clear skies up high and nice temps have made for great sledding.

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 was  cleared Jan 18th, 2017. 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:  Great riding  a good time to explore.
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 25.
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)

Susan Lake

Groomed on Jan 24, 2017

Sponsors

Without our sponsors we couldn’t operate. Please support them when you come in to town and tell em we sent ya!

Rockwater grill and bar in Golden, is situated on the kicking horse river with majestic mountain views of the dogtooth range and kicking horse mountain resort. rockwater grill and bar is a multi event venue that offers indoor dining for 250 and outdoor patio dining for 75 with riverside tables. rockwater offers pool tables, a private dining/party room with fireplace for 25, and a private banquet room for 100.

Welcome to Mount 7 Lodges. Located just south of Golden, British Columbia, a short drive from Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.

Set on over 60 private acres of mountainside, we offer the perfect base for recreation and adventure holidays, as well as a secluded location for rest and relaxation or for family and friends gatherings in the Canadian rockies.  Call them cabins, chalets or lodges, our accommodations are designed to give you the comfort of home in a natural setting. After a long day outdoors you will appreciate all the facilities available and the attention to detail which has been lavished on every traditional yet luxurious Mount 7 log lodge. Arrange your own activities or let us tailor-make a holiday for you using our experience of the area together with our local partners.

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