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How cold is too too cold to snowboard?

13K views 81 replies 40 participants last post by  surfinsnow 
#1 ·
The forecast for January 1st, this Wed is -23C to -28C, feels like -30 with 10km/h wind

A ski club is organizing a ski trip for that day. but it's so cold...

Will you go on such cold weather? I wanted to go until I saw the forcast:dunno:
 
#15 ·
+1.
Best days are the below -20°C days. Groomers n lifts are empty and usually it's bluebird. It's just the time on the lifts that can be bit chilly :blink:
 
#9 ·
The coldest I rode in was -16 °C, which surprisingly didn't feel cold at all, as long as you keep moving. Never really had a chance to try anything colder, but if it's a trip somewhere really nice and you will not get a chance to go otherwise, I'd go for it. Layer up well though, good thermal gear and nothing cotton.
 
#31 ·
I discovered my limit at Sugarbush, that infamous winter a few years ago where it never reached above 30F the entire month of January. Sugarbush was -6 real temp, with 35 mph winds at the top. We took a few runs and said screw it. Following weekend we had pre-paid vouchers to Jay Peak. When we arrived there were about five cars in the Stateside lot. Even the Mountain Ambassadors were huddled inside the lodge. They chuckled when we went in. "You really going do try it, eh?" Unusual, as they're always trying to be upbeat and make you love it. It was 0 at the base with 45 mph wind. Gondola closed. Those cool "snow tornadoes" all over the place. After the weekend at Sugarbush we said forget it and found a hotel with a hot tub and drank instead.

However, keep in mind...there is no bad weather, only bad clothing. To a point. :)
 
#17 ·
Snowklinger rides in assless Gore-Tex chaps just for this reason. He has huge well insulated balls. If they disappear when it's cold then you know it is not safe to be out there. It is also a pubic service to everyone else on the mountain. Also makes for some interesting coversations on the lift....
 
#18 ·
I know our area will cancel school trips if the weather is to cold. My daughters 1st trip week before Christmas was cancelled do to freezing rain and ice on the roads and the hill. While my sons high school still went???... To many parents and kids just don't know how or just don't dress for that type of weather.

I've ridden close to zero with negative windchills but never below zero. When it's that cold the snow squeaks :dunno:
Very important to have the correct clothes, ** extra clothes and gloves ** and really watch for frostbite.
 
#30 ·
I'd prefer to keep it above -20c. Anything below that is tough but I've ridden plenty of -25 days and a few that got down to -30 so they closed the lifts. Not fun at that temp, no way you can have any exposed skin whatsoever.

If I drive 4 hours I'll ride any temp but locally -15 is about my cut for riding park... Pow is worth it lol.
 
#33 ·
Thanks all for your thoughts!

but wow......all these talks of 'man up' and 'balls'.......:dizzy::dizzy::huh::huh: so I am assumed a man? this sounds like snowboarding sexism:unsure:

anyway, I guess once it drops below -20C, there is really not much fun anymore. The resort is just 1 hour drive and there are still plenty of trips planned this winter. It's just that I will have to sit at home for the new year, instead of going out and having fun:(

This is my city. It was 1C last night. and 3 days later, it's supposed to reach below -30C (The forecast today is changed to -15C to -25C for Wed.). Winter is volatile and extreme here.
 
#35 ·
Thanks all for your thoughts!

but wow......all these talks of 'man up' and 'balls'.......:dizzy::dizzy::huh::huh: so I am assumed a man? this sounds like snowboarding sexism:unsure:

.
Good point. I tell my girl some times to grow a pair. Though its not quite appropriate it helps her focus on the goal and not whine about trivial stuff.

Extreme cold weather is all about having the right gear. And when you're on the lift try to ball up (like a turtle) and put your head inside your hood and close it off from the wind. If its extremely windy, well that's just a shitty time to ride.

Hope your weather gets better, at least its not hot and raining. :thumbsup:
 
#34 ·
It was -10F at Granite Peak in Wausau, WI a few weeks back and I made it for about three runs before calling it quits. I rode at Killington in Vermont when it was -22F about a dozen years ago. On both occasions the rides up the lift were much worse than going down the runs. Even with fresh wax my board didn't glide very well over groomers and at Granite Peak those three runs stripped off every speck of wax that I had on my base.
 
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