Who isn't afraid of the cold? (Or maybe just smarter than me)

[SkiStooge]

Just a dopey question: Am I the only one that really kinda LIKES to ski on dangerously cold wind-chill days? I mean the really, really cold ones. I find that as long as I'm prepared for the conditions (proper and enough layers, the right wax, every inch of skin covered, etc) it seems that the cold keeps a lot of the neophytes (sp?) off of the slopes and gives me all of the room that I like to have so that I can really open up and just plain RIP all day long. I'm not advocating it for all and realize that some people just don't LIKE the extreme cold and all but was just curious if I'm the only wacko out there. Or maybe I just like the peaceful feeling of knowing that there are less people on the slopes trying to use me for a target or a victim or whatever. OK, got to REALLY close this time (as opposed to my other post-different thread) and go to work. Have fun, be safe. Al

[M@]

Professor Popsicle sure loves it!

'Professor Popsicle' Proves Cold No Barrier (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=573&ncid=757&e=4&u=/nm/20040128/od_nm/popsicle_dc)

I don't mind the cold. I wouldn't say it enhances the expierence any, although the smaller crowds are nice, but I'd rather it was 20deg F. I was supposed to ski sugarbush on sat/sun but the guy I was going with decided it was "too cold." Needless to say, I will be making few plans around his temperature needs again.

Another data point: Suzy doesn't ski under 20deg.

M@

[NH_tele]

I love the way the world looks on those really, brutally cold blue-sky days. Not only are there no crowds, but everything looks so crisp, and the visibility is usually excellent. I agree, as long as you have the right equipment, you can be quite comfortable, and I think some part of us is drawn to extreme conditions...

"Seek the wolf in thyself" - Metallica

[DMC]

I like the way the snow sounds when it's really freekin cold out...

So far this year - I havent been cold... Not even last sunday.. It was -10 without wind chill when the lifts opened...

Two words....
HEAT PACKS

I use them to keep my camera and other stuff that won't work when it's cold - warm...

[elwood]

I like the cold as well. I have no problem being outside all day as long as I am geared up for it... I even ate lunch outside on a -20 day this season.

You know what I hate? When the temp gets above 32 degrees F. That's when snow actually melts!

[Bannick]

I'm with you Elwood. I dig the cold too....now that I have mastered the art of covering that sliver of space between the top of my goggles and the bottom edge of my helmet to prevent brain freeze I am good.

I used heat packs for the first time last weekend ice fishing in -32 celcius...they worked wonders.

Cold = less people and faster conditions (typically). The wife on the other hand can't take the cold at all so we haven't been out there as much as I would like.

[el-bagr]

Last Sunday at the Maine Tele Fest over at Sunday River, I was in a clinic with a guy named Bowser. We were chatting on one of the lifts, and he said that he was from Fort Collins, CO, and had come east for a ski vacation.

"Don't you think you should have traveled 50 miles west rather than 1500 east?" I asked.

"No," replied Bowser. "We may have snow, but it's never cold like this. You can ski anywhere and find snow, but you can't ski in such cold air out there."

He wasn't a very good tele skier, but I liked his attitude.

[RR]

Hiya Stoogie! Ditto on the cold days. Last Sundy I was ice climbing in Crawford Notch. Gorgeous day...just a mite chilly though...-22F when we started hiking and -20F when we started climbing. Windchill got to -45F early, but by the time we were done at 2 PM it was a balmy -8F and winchill of only -18F.

My down parka was just too warm...I could keep it on for only 20-25 minutes over the whole time .

[pepperdawg]

Dont mind bitter cold days....Its almost like a challenge, a great feeling to be out there alive...theres nothing like a 0 degree day under bluebird skies......not, however, a big fan of wind (at any temp)....

:cooldog:

[BladeGirl]

I am reading a book on the Physics of Skiing: Skiing at the Tripple Point. When you ski, snow melts under your ski causing a thin film of lubricating liquid that helps you slide. Apparently, if it it too cold (I think the book said snow temp around -15, then the snow will NOT melt under your ski. The snow will instead be "grabby" and abrasive. So make sure to use a good cold-weather wax in those conditions.

-BG

[el-bagr]

I'll have to check that book out; thanks for the recommend, BG. I've heard that skiing in truly polar regions can be very difficult for just that reason: the snow doesn't let your skis run. Makes sense; touring on those squeaky-snow days you don't glide half as well as when the snow is old.

[M@]

One of the early north pole expeditions failed because it was ridiculously cold - like 40 below, and the sled they were dragging became very hard to pull, they compared it to pulling it across a desert.

M@

[oldman2003]

One of the early north pole expeditions failed because it was ridiculously cold - like 40 below, and the sled they were dragging became very hard to pull, they compared it to pulling it across a desert.

M@
when its really cold you can sit closer to the fire. Like last week up atBlackberry Crossing :skiplow:

[Mumster]

Love the cold. :lips: It keeps the crowds down. Face mask, hand warmers, goggles, warm jacket, double long undies.....no problem.

I've had major problems with drag on these really cold days - totally agree with BG -> cold temp wax is imperative to maintain that nice glide..... :skifemcool:

[skicdave]

Hey Skistoogie.. not sure I'm one of the ones who likes dangerously cold wind-chill days like you. Last year the worst day was at Mont Ste Anne at about -31 C (about -31F). We did about 3 runs and packed it in... no fun. Spend all your time holding a hand to your face instead of beating moguls.

You are indeed sadistic!

Ok maybe I am too... I love skiing those days when it is unbelieveably icy (think Tremblant here), maybe a wind swept day. So icy you almost go deaf from all the racket your skis make as you try to carve and bounce also rough ice. I call that LOUD skiing. Best performed in early morning. Effective even as a warm up run down a mogul field... certinaly wakes ya up and good for building up quads. Especially fun near a chairlift where you can scare everyone else who is considering the same run.

Sometimes :icicles: rules...

[surfy]

Dave, you are one sick mother. Maybe you should try skiing on a Lake or something?

I don't mind the cold to a point, I'm usually ok until about -15 F. I have a small strip of skin about an eighth of an inch wide between the top of my goggles and the bottom of my helmet that has been frostbit about 10 times so far this year and it's starting to hurt.

surfy

[2plankerider]

i got no problem with the bitter cold...however i DO draw the line somewhere around -30F windchill included. :eek:
the dogs havn't been to happy with the -10F days we've been having lately, the 'ol paws freeze up.
a have recently started doing more cold weather winter camping over the past few years which has been a lot of fun as well. quite different from spring/summer/fall camping i must say.

[kmrnskier]

I agree with most people here - as long as I'm dressed appropriately, everything is ok. Was at Loon this past Sunday, temp at the summit (in the morning) was minus 20F without windchill (supposedly), the sun was out, the skies were soooooo clear and crisp. It was very windy, so the gondola didn't open till early afternoon, which is FINE - kept the crowds to a bare minimum. Everyone stayed in the lodges. NO LINES, better then weekday skiing. We did manage to get 21 runs in, went in 4 times to warm up a tad (although we don't really like to admit it). All in all, a great day.
Tuesday, with Skilas, at Mad River Glen, the temps had to reach about 15F midday. We were very very warm, almost too warm at times. Now, with these 20something degree temps here in Concord, it's time to open the windows!!!!!!!!
By the way, Paradise at MRG ROCKS!!!!!! :skiplow:

[elwood]

It's getting hot outside now. Plus the snow is coming. Everyone get your dancing shoes on.

[NH_tele]

I think it got up to 30F today!!!!

I really, really hope this means :snowflakes: , we need it!

Just no r :badwords: n!

[el-bagr]

The weather is actually getting warm enough all the casual skiers are coming out. If this keep up, there'll be lines in Maine soon...

Actually, NH_tele, I heard some bad news about :badwords: coming this weekend. Pray for an intervention.

[NH_tele]

The weather is actually getting warm enough all the casual skiers are coming out. If this keep up, there'll be lines in Maine soon...

Actually, NH_tele, I heard some bad news about :badwords: coming this weekend. Pray for an intervention.

Have some FAITH!!! It will be :snowflakes:... It will be :snowflakes:!

[Justin]

personally i'm not sure i have skied a day above 30deg. if youwere to take the avg. i'd be surprised if it was above 15-20 degrees :icicles: :icicles: The skiing has been preety descent...in maine atleast