First time to Golden area

[Ironmanstl]

We are heading out to the Golden area for the first time this weekend, we usually do Valemount/McBride

Average riders

I'd appreciate any suggestions on what areas we should try out and current trail conditions.

Thanx in advance guys

 

[lorne1176]

Was out there myself for the first time 2 weeks ago. First day we rode Quartz which was ok not a lot of new snow then. Day 2 we rode Gorman which I really liked and much larger area, few mountian sides untouched due to them being sketchy with the avy danger, also steeper then Quartz.

 

[Carbon]

depends on snowfall before weekend,but Gorman has Miles of terrain safe and not.Quartz is fun and has stuff to offer/climb.Silents a longer ride in(39km one way) but again great terrain and should get more out of systems coming then others Hope creek 55k up bush rd these are all some of are best:d....will be riding some of these mid-week,will know better on conditions.

 

[Ironmanstl]

Thanx guys,

We will try out Quartz and Gorman.


I imagine getting into Gorman is no problem for the average rider?

 

[oler1234]

groomed right to the bottom of the first big hill... cant really complain i say

 

[tex78]

plus on sunday bow cycle out of calgary is havin there doo 800 etec freeride at gorman..... 10am at the lot...

 

[Shibby!]

Thanx guys,

We will try out Quartz and Gorman.


I imagine getting into Gorman is no problem for the average rider?

Long as they are comfortable with climbs.

To get into the riding area of Gorman, there is a decently sized climb. Nothing huge, but a pull up a mountain side to get to lake level.

From there it requires passes to get into other riding areas, so more climbing required if you want to ride more then Gorman.

I suggest, and suggest highly, you play it safe. If visibility is bad, there are some big holes in Gorman you don't want to go into, and going over passes requirse additional caution on getting back! Those climbs aren't fun if visibility goes down to zero.

Other then that, have fun!

 

[Taminator]

Ditto Shibby!

Lots of climbs, but depending on the snow, more intimidating than anything. The climbs are good climbs, some long, but not nasty buggers (well, some nasty buggers...but you don't need to go there ) Someone not comfortable with close, big mountains and a more rugged environment might not like it there. I really like Gorman myself, our whole group does. :d but I know quite a few peeps who won't go there. Really should have some avy education/knowledge to go there...they consider it advanced and is an area of high avy danger.
You don't want to be in the back of Gorman, Lang or Holt in bad viz. You wanna get back to the lake at least if it starts to sock in.

 

[steel town]

plus on sunday bow cycle out of calgary is havin there doo 800 etec freeride at gorman..... 10am at the lot...

Our ride is on March 28th, not this weekend....
I suggest going to Quartz first and then checking out Gorman, as things are a tad more "off camber" there and, it requires manditory "side hilling " skills to get around to the better stuff.

 

[Modman]

Gorman is big and steep with a lot of bad spots, its not a place for new riders or people that don't know the area, no matter how many re-assuring comments you hear on the internet. Too many newbies venture into this area and find themselves in places they shouldn't.

There's a reason for the comments about the "extreme nature" about the area on the Snowmobile Golden website.