Yes, the snow is getting deeper in the Elkford and Flathead areas on the Canadian side.

Check out recent snow pillow data at http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/data/asp/realtime/asp_pages/asp_2c09q.html  It shows that snow depth at higher elevations is climbing to substantially above average, and keep in mind that snow depth in the last several years was either average or below average.

Fernie ski hill snow depth is now up to 4.5 m, and forecast is for snow all week.

Flathead snowpack info can be inferred from this station, located near the Elk Valley/Flathead divide.  The info is moisture in snow pack, but it gives you an idea re: this year's snow pack vs. average, last year, etc.  http://bcrfc.env.gov.bc.ca/data/asp/realtime/asp_pages/asp_2c09q.html

Last week's snowfall (~1.1 metres) was not reflected in the graph last time I checked.  Snow depth at Fernie Alpine Resort is ~3.5 metres at 1650 m elevation, much more than last year at this time.  http://www.skifernie.com/conditions/snow-report.aspx

March is traditionally a big snow month in this area, and basically snowfall over the next 6 weeks and how spring shapes up (warm, rain on snow events, etc.) will greatly determine if snow is an issue come TD time.

just to add

I had a look at the Gmap, which is excellent by the way (for the Canadian section at least, which is all that I know well), and just for the sake of due diligence should let people know that while Elkford area may be safer for camping than adjoining areas, there were several different grizzlies in town this summer, including a sow with two cubs that were becoming habituated to humans (there were trapped and removed, and I believe they had returned by fall).  So, just saying that one should proceed properly and not let their guard down just because they are in a town.

Living in the Elk Valley and working/playing there and in the Flathead you get to know about the reality of the bear issue.  My thoughts are:

there are lots of bears (densest grizzly population in North America, outside of coastal areas);
there are lots of cats (cougars, lynx, bobcat);
there are lots of wolves.

I see tracks of at least of these everytime I'm out, but other than when moving quickly and silently (like on a bike!) I don't worry too much.  Just take proper precautions (minimize buttering yourself down with bacon grease or the like), make noise (even if you feel like a dork doing it), and just keep your eyes and ears open.

Personally, I have more issues with moose, and in June cow moose can be very aggressive when they have newborn calves around (which you may not see - so presume they are there).  Moose are harder to read than bears in my experience.  Cougars are a bit scarier than bears (they are sneakier and you don't see them coming, but odds are very low of an encounter), and wolves shouldn't worry you at all (unless you are injured roadkill perhaps) - otherwise they won't come near a human.

Does anyone know when the GDR route passes in Colorado (and northern New Mexico) tend to be reasonably clear of snow in a typical year?  End of May?  Mid June?  (I'd posthole for a bit, but I don't want a day of it at a pass).

Also, if some passes (ex. Indiana) are snowbound, are there reasonable detours?

Having grown up in or next to Canada's mountain national parks, and worked for Parks Canada, I can perhaps provide a little insight on what ISN'T Parks' issue with a "large" group of cyclists starting a race in Banff.

It isn't due to valid concerns over trail damage on that short Spray River/Goat Creek fireroad sections.  Multi-use activities, including a commercial horse riding company, use these old roads commonly and the damage from >49 cyclists is not a defensible Parks concern.  The short Bryant Creek section is also mostly a solid, gravel/rock-based old fireroad so same there, except to be fair there are some softer "singletrack" sections near the Watridge Lake end of this brief pop into BNP.  Again many hikers, bikers, and horse riders use this section as well.

Over the last couple decades, Parks is primarily concerned with: liability; understanding how to manage it's oft confused mandate of "Preservation" and "Use"; and managing politics between the Wardens Service and entrenched commercial interests in the park.  I could generate a huge list of issues and examples, but suffice it to say that at the end of the day it is likely that if Parks Canada objects to this race occurring in BNP then there will be little the organizers can do to sway this position.  Sorry, just giving my experienced opinion on this issue.

Good news is that there are plenty of other good race start locations, including Canmore which is right next door to Banff.  That would likely necessitate a hard 5 km climb through Whiteman's Pass (it is often used as a local hill climb TT) right out of the gate, but nobody said the TD was easy!

Gotta give a big "whoot, whoot" for Blaine.  A fellow Canadian quietly still rockin' it!!!   

Totally agree with you BobM!!!

The way the rule reads it seems that there may be a relegation issue (if Erik did in fact travel forward by car on the route), but I think that would be so unfortunate as surely he wasn't trying to gain any advantage; rather, he was just trying to get to the only even reasonably close town where he could start to address his mechanical issues.  He suffered a 1-day delay already for his misfortune, so to be relegated would be really, really sad, and I'd argue not in keeping with the intent of the rule or spirit of this endeavor.  Don't know the guy, but his fighting spirit to go after ML again is fantastic!!!

And thanks for the clarification on the fairing issue - makes total sense.

I hope we have a race for the lead again!  Worried about Erik's mechanical before Lima, his apparent assistance forward into Lima, and Rule 4a?  Can any past TDers comment on the interpretation of this rule?  It seems an overly harsh rule, but there it is.

Don't want to be negative (I'll never have the guts to do this thing!!!), but also don't want to see that whole hullabaloo at the end like last year!  It's best to clear it up now I think.

Also, previously wondered about John Nobile's homemade "fairings" in the GDR?  Thought that wasn't kosher with the GDR rules ("windscreens, fairings, airfoils and objects intended to capture the wind are prohibited. Aerobars and their accessories are allowed").

So Kurt was spot on with his guess of Eric's derailleur issues.  Impressive. Also, strange how firsthand experience is more accurate than my uninformed WAGs.  Wierd!

I'll try to be quiet now, but the current mudfest makes we wonder why Rohloffs are not popular for the race or route?  Seems the perfect application, albeit ~1.5 lbs heavier than a XT type build.  Any thoughts?

It does seem like Eric has a bike issue.  Speculating it isn't a rear der (wouldn't he'd do the temporary singlespeed trickeroo?), but a wheel issue (mud seized, hub, taco'd???).

Whatever it is, it looks like mechanical tough break after a great physical charge over last day or so!!!

Earlier post asked about bike shop to help pack/send his bike home.

Did "Bob from Wisconsin" get medical attention for his collarbone on the Canadian or US side?  If he's in Canada, I can get his bike packed and shipped and can probably put him up for a night or so (in Fernie).  If he is really stuck, just let me know and I'll go down to Rooseville/Eureka today to get his bike or him etc.

Someone (Bob's Wife?) can just post back and I'll keep checking in.

Good luck to everybody! (incl. Bob from Wisconsin of course)

Typing this from Fernie, BC.

High elevation snowpack this spring was record low (Morrissey Ridge, ~1900 m altitude) (record is since mid-80s).  Has been a rainy spring however, and is continuing to rain or shower throughout Sparwood to Roosville region.  Would predict that little snow if any will be encountered on route in this section.

Banff/Canmore region has had more spring snows, but again it wasn't a big snowpack year there either.

Have fun!