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GOLDEN, B.C.
Let the good times roll
In Golden, the excitement begins the second you hit the throttle
by KIRSTEN ARMLEDER


EASY RIDER: Golden has plenty of trails and roads that are suitble for families and beginners.
—photo courtesy Wayne Hamm
The moment your sled slices through the deep champagne powder that blankets the rugged mountains surrounding Golden, you'll discover why this is one of B.C.'s hottest spots to ride.

Although Golden is popular among extreme snowmobilers, there are some great places at lower elevations where novice sledders can enjoy a relaxing ride.

"Lots of people don’t think there is family riding," said Mike Palumbo, a longtime resident of Golden and an avid snowmobiler, "but there are so many backroads and so many mellow places to go."

Quartz Creek—a real gem
Quartz Creek is Golden's most treasured area to sled. Beginners can enjoy following a scenic groomed trail that leads to the Golden Snowmobile Club's cabin, where they can warm up while the experienced riders venture beyond the cabin into the legendary Prairie Hills.

Getting there: The staging area is located approximately 45 minutes west of Golden on Highway 1.

Go for it in Gorman
At an elevation of 9,000 feet, Gorman is the ideal area for adrenalin junkies seeking a place to polish their hillclimbing techniques. From Gorman, sledders gain access to a range of other riding spots; however, since this area is known to have a number of avalanche paths, be aware of the hazards and equip yourself with proper avalanche gear.

Getting there: The Gorman parking area is accessible via the Dogtooth Forest Service Road.

Explore Blaeberry River Trail
Whether you want to spend a day tearing it up with friends or an afternoon cruising with the family, the Blaeberry River area is ready to accommodate. A groomed trail leads to some of the finest valley riding Golden has to offer, as well as numerous powder-filled play areas.

Getting there: To access this area, turn off the Trans-Canada Highway onto Moberly Branch Road, then turn left on Golden-Upper Donald Road. Take another left on Moberly School Road; the parking lot is adjacent to Blaeberry River.

Play all day in fresh powder
Palumbo also suggested sledders check out Susan Lake Trail, Hope Creek and Silver Mines—a large alpine area that reaches an altitude of 9,500 feet.

"My favourite is Silver Mines," said Palumbo. "It's a really big area—you can keep going back and find a whole bunch of valleys. It's easy to get around in, but there are areas that are challenging."

According to Palumbo, one unique thing about Golden is the amount of untracked snow.

"Our number of riders isn't as high as other places," said Palumbo, "so we get fresher powder."

Community teamwork
The Golden Snowmobile Trail Society and the local snowmobile club work together to keep the trails in top-notch condition, and are dedicated to promoting the area’s superlative sledding.

As a winter-loving community, Golden is proud to provide snowmobilers and other visitors with a wealth of amenities.

The essentials
Trail passes and maps: Trail maps and passes are available at the chamber of commerce and at Motor Tech Enterprises in Golden.