This is the winter that just keeps on giving. Thank you La Nina! Golden BC snowmobile conditions continue to be very good although playing the weather right can make all the difference. Today it was dumping snow at 2100m and above. Below that it was spiting rain. That means about half way up the trail the conditions turn from late spring to late winter.
Snow Beta and Weather
We had about 20-30 cms of snow this week. There’s about 30 cms in the forecast over the next week with a lot of it coming this weekend.
The weather is somewhat unstable this weekend. There’s variations in temperatures and some snow. Thursday April 6 was a soaker. Wringing water out of gloves at the trucks was standard practice today.
Are you prepared? Self rescue? Do you know where you are? Spring storms can reduce visibility.
Avalanche Conditions
Please always check Avalanche.ca for the latest updates.
PLEASE READ THIS BLOG: March 2017 Low Probability-High Consequence Avalanche Cycle
Several spring slides were heard in Gorman on April 6, 2017. Please watch the overhead danger.
Check out this video from Gorman on March 26th, 2017. #language warning#
Riding Zones and Trail Reports
We will do our best to push around mashed potatoes for as long as we can. Please understand that whoops on trails are created bigger and faster in warm temperatures and it’s warm now. Therefore, even though we are continuing with our regular grooming operations, trail conditions may vary.
Special thanks to our gate staff who also clean up garbage from our parking lots. It’s appreciated.
Quartz Creek
Conditions: Compacted powder, slush, sun effected snow, some preserved deep powder up high.
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. Pretty muddy in the parking lot due to melt freeze.
Propane and firewood have both been restocked in upper cabin. Please use conservatively.
Gorman Lake
Conditions: Compacted powder, slush, sun effected snow, some preserved deep powder up high.
Grooming: Last groomed on Wednesday April 5. Grooms scheduled for Friday and Sunday evenings.
Fees: Everyday ($25/rider).
Parking: 3.5km lower lot. It’s pretty mucky in the lot this week. Your running shoes will hate you so put some boots on. There’s about 200 metres of gravel to ride on the trail right now. So parking down low is still the best option.
Road: Expect the road to be muddy mess in the evening. The Dogtooth FSR 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 on the way down. We’ve had 3 trucks off the road on the Dogtooth FSR (Gorman Lake access) this year.
Gorman Trail down low on April 6, 1017
Silent Pass
Conditions: Compacted powder, slush, sun effected snow, some preserved deep powder up high.
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: The last 6km of road are rutted ice lanes. Not that trailer friendly but many people have done it. The parking lot is cleared and is mostly dirt (and mud).
Please watch our road safety video.
West Bench Trail
Conditions: A little bumpy but still good to go. Get out there and ride the trail before it melts out.
Grooming: Groomed April 4th.
Fees: Everyday ($25/rider) payable at Gorman or Quartz trailhead.
Parking: Park at Gorman or Quartz parking lot.
Sponsors
Without our sponsors we couldn’t operate. Please support them when you come in to town and tell em we sent ya!
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PS- If you ever needed incentive to wear your tether, this is it.
