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Too cold to ride(?)

4K views 29 replies 18 participants last post by  Soul06 
#1 ·
I've dealt with -35 wind chills at Sugarbush (real temp was about 0). But I checked Stowe, which is always windy anyway, and they are reporting a REAL temp of -20 today, with winds gusting to 40-45. That's downright dangerous. Damn. And I just got a new helmet and installed my Skullcandy speakers in the earpads. Sounds awesome! I was looking forward to it, and the wife has the day off tomorrow. But it doesn't look like it's getting any better for the next few days. At least in the teens on Sunday, that's not too bad. This sucks...I missed all last season because of foot surgery, now I've only been out five days because the weather has sucked.
 
#2 ·
with the right gear and layers it can be done comfortably. but it realistically turns into a run or 2 then break, a run or 2 then break, then maybe a run, then beers...

EDIT: if you fall more than 3 times, or usually stop on the side of the trail halfway down, you'll be very cold lol
 
#3 ·
That does suck! I would not mess with a temp of -20 and winds in the 45mph range. That sounds like bad news, and I can't see it being enjoyable. I was out two weekends ago with -15 windchill and high winds, and although I was fine, some members of my group were visibly (and audibly) miserable, which kind of defeats the whole purpose of snowboarding, which is to have fun.
 
#5 ·
The wind at Stowe literally gave me the push I needed to ride my first black diamond many years ago. I was standing up top of the Front Four, planning on just riding by to do Lord or Ridge View, and a massive gust hit me just right and sailed me over the initial drop in, to the top of Hayride (or Haychute, depending on what map you're looking at). It was so windy I was more afraid to unstrap my board and try to walk back out than I was of the steep, so I said WTF and went for it. Loved it!
 
#10 ·
-28C (-18.5F) with a wind chill down to -40C (-40F) here this morning

Certainly rideable, but as mentioned, you need to take this kind of cold seriously.

Ride with a friend and inspect each other's face for frostbite in each and every lift line. Sounds gay, but you'll regret it if you don't since you won't feel it.

Personally, having frostbitten the thigh on my lead leg before, I also make it a point to hit the washroom several times a day, drop trou and look for the telltale signs of waxy, yellowish patches
 
#11 ·
Yeah dude.. the temps are crazy.. wind chill in -40 range. Im headed up to Stowe tomorrow so won't be riding until Saturday where it looks like down right Florida temps of 0 or so and maybe high single digits Sunday. I don't think you will see teens until Monday.

If you make it out, I'd love to hear how things are. Sucks that we had that thaw weekend or else I think things might be in better shape. Im sure all the snowmaking trails are solid.
 
G
#12 ·
I was suppose to be leaving for Stratton tonight, but I just got over the Flu last week and I still feel weak with lots of shit in my sinuses and I am thinking these extreme cold temps would make things really bad...........

What do you guys think? Wait till next weekend (I have a yearly share).....
 
#13 · (Edited)
With the wind and the low temps, a lot of mountains aren't even fully open, even though there is snow. We were going to hit Mt. Snow as a compromise tomorrow, but they're only 75%. Not bad, but I don't want to be miserable just for Mt. Snow.

We have $35 tix to Jay Peak and Burke (through the CT Ski Council -- you should join!), but it's so effing cold I don't want to drive five hours just to take two runs. Plus, last I checked they're only running lower mountain because of the wind and cold. But they have new snow, too, and we're supposed to get freshies both Friday and Saturday. I'm so torn!

Wish I could give you good advice...we're going to play it by ear. Pico has a $20 ticket tomorrow, and it will be snowing. Maybe I just need an extra layer of long underwear!

If you're just getting over being sick, it might pay off to wait a week. It's supposed to start "warming up" on Sunday. What to do, what to do...???
 
#16 ·
-40 wind chill? sheeeeyit. Sounds like its movie/video game/good book time.
 
#22 ·
I stoke up the fire and stay home when the temp hits 0F. Up to that point I don't mind putting on the layers and pulling on the balaclava, but when it dips lower than the Big 0, that's where I draw the line. It's supposed to be fun, not a military style survival exercise.
 
#24 · (Edited)
I went a couple weekends ago when it was pretty chilly in CO. It wasn't bad.
Layer up!


I typically stay home if it's really shitty though, there's always tomorrow! The coldest place I've rode was in Montana during our trip. It had be 30 below zero and pretty windy too. We were the only dumbasses on the mountain.

Was a fun day though once we finished off the snapps and went numb. :D
 
#25 ·
It was still -3 when we woke up this morning, and still -15 or more (less?) up in Vermont. And a "Special Weather Advisory" for severe wind chills and high winds throughout the morning. So we bagged on Vermont, layered up, and just went to a local hill here in Connecticut, Ski Sundown. It's only about 800' vert, and just 15 trails. It wound up being about 10 degrees when we got there, and the wind had calmed down. 10 is totally doable.

They sell 2, 4 and 8 hour tix, so we just bought the 4 hour. You can get bored pretty quick with just 15 trails, but it was actually pretty fun. It's been so cold they've been able to make a lot of snow the last few days.

The only downside, which kind of pissed me off, is that they only have 3 so-called black trails, and the main one all the way down the front of the mountain...er, hill...was closed for race training! Bullshit! Don't advertise that you're 100% open then close your best trail, and still charge full price when you only have 15 trails to begin with! Well, ski patrol let us through anyway, since there were so few people there. It's Friday, but it was mid-week riding at its best...good snow, very few people, never had to wait for the lift.

So it's looking like it will be a balmy 18 degrees at Mt. Snow on Sunday. That's only two hours from home, and 18 is practically tropical. And the crowds leave early on Sunday, so it should be a fun day. I've ridden this tiny CT hill three times already, and only three days in VT (1 Okemo, 2 Stowe, and one of the Stowe days was bulletproof -- we only did two runs). I need some real riding! This is getting ridiculous!
 
#26 ·
I was at Okemo yesterday. 9 degrees at the base and 0 at the summit. And thats not even counting wind chill. 2 out of the 5 times I rode to the summit I took a quick stop at the summit lodge for some water and some hot chocolate. Got nice and warm and then continued to ride. Even with my brief warm-up breaks I managed to get in 12 runs total on the day.
The Jackson Gore side actually felt warmer than the south face. Wasn't much wind over there and far less crowded. Also found the manmade snow to not be that bad. Very few bulletproof patches which really surprised considering the temps and lack of snowfall
 
#27 ·
We hit Mt. Snow today. Added treat...I found out that our ski club passes are good there any day of the year, not just on designated "Awareness Days." Tix only cost $54. The snow was great, but they're still relying on a lot of man-made stuff. The guns were going on several trails, but the air is really dry, so the snow stayed powdery all day. Unfortunately, there were 60 trails open, but North Face was open, and most of the good stuff. Excellent day...-4 when we got there, but up to 16 by the time we left at 3:00. Not too bad.
 
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