is it cold yet?

[bauerb]

raise your hand if you go out skiing when its -20 F ( not counting wind-chill) outside? I'm trying to decide if negative temps are best for lift served downhill skiing and you wear all the layers you own, or should I focus on uphill skinning on super cold days and generate heat? uphill is tricking because you need to really focus on layering and not getting too sweaty, and carrying enough warm layers so you don't freeze on the way down. what do you guys do when its really cold? btw, I don't really have the option here of skiing flats at a moderate pace to keep warm, its either straight up or down...I'm looking at the forecast and trying to plan for the next few days...

[fgd135]

When I ride lifts in that kinda cold, I count on being able to warm up inside after almost every run, either with a long tram ride or a nice warming hut mid mountain. Uphill and backcountry touring is not so bad once you work out the layering for a quick change up before heading down hill. Tough thing for me is having to take off the thick gloves for a minute or two, to stow the skins,buckle up the cuffs, and add a parka before getting my hands frosty and numb.

[Montana St Alum]

I don't ski at -20f, but the coldest I see is -23c.
That's not a problem for me, but it's close to my limit for lift served.

The difference between about -10f and -20f is enough that I have to cover my face to prevent frostbite.

I like it warmer - like +265 kelvin/+480 Rankine - for skinning up to ski.

[bwm8142]

When it's that chilly I just stay away from the ski hill. I don't like paying when I can't get as many runs as possible due to the weather.

I have been xc skiing around this temperature as a cold snap has hit Alberta the past couple of days. I ski fairly moderate terrain but I usually just layer up and take layers off/put them on throughout the ski. I only manage a couple hours max at those temps though before I head home for a coffee and a sit by the woodstove.

[bauerb]

the word around town is that it will be -37 F at the summit tomorrow with windchill. I'll go skinning and see what happens tomorrow. I will not go to the summit in -37

[AlaskaNordic]

Have I skied at that temp, yep, but how often does anyone ski at that temp, not very. I think this is a very, very subjective question that can take you in a lot of directions. I mean, yeah skinning up a hill and layering just right, gloves, socks boots etc is a not easy at that temp, then you have the whole issue when you stop and want to drink, eat or what ever. I mean, I run really hot, so even on a sub zero day it does not take much for me to start sweating which as you pointed out is not good when your in the backcountry at those temps. Not sure if you are soloing or in an area where others will be, but it really ups the ante is somthing goes wrong, I can hang out all day in temps in the teens and 20s but subzero if you injure your self, well you get the picture. Your -20 is probably different than mine, from here to Fairbanks it sure is, becuase of the humidity vs further north.
Resort skiing to me has one issue, the chair lift, its cold, I usuaully carry a back pack with layers even at resorts so I can layer and strip for runs. But as the other poster pointed out, you have a lodge and warm drinks! The upside is, I imagine less people on the slopes at those temps so i say take advabnatage of that maybe?
And then you have the windchill, which adds to the drama and harshness on your body, so we are really talking sub 30 probably and a that temp, simple things become challenging to unpleasant. Truthfully, there are a few hard cold laws we have in Alaska, and I think it applies to you, if somthing is going to break, well the coldest days of the year is when that is going to happen. Extreme cold is tough on gear not just skin. Have fun what ever you decide.

[Eärendil]

For lift assisted skiing 0 F would be my limit considering the wind chill when skiing downhill. Skiing should be more fun than mere survival.

Cross-country skiing is different, -30F and zero wind chill can work quite well. Again if the skiing is more like skinning uphill followed by long descents then the wind chill factor comes into play again.

Clothingwise, this is were layering becomes really important, e.g. 3 layers of mittens.

Really cold days over here usually means lots of Sun, which is welcome after dark mid-winter.

//Rickard//

[bauerb]

well just got back from 2hrs uphill followed by 15 mins down. temp 3 degrees, windchill towards summit was -10 or so. in the sun with no wind going up was good...but...as soon as I hit unprotected spots and got blasted by the wind, I was getting cold. I was already sweaty by then, and my soft-shell outer layer is not 100% windproof. I had 3 layers on, including smart wool base. after 1500ft vert, and before the summit, I called it and put on my parka and lobster mitts. I may try wearing my downhill ski shell which is windproof, I guess I could wear my alpine bibs as well...in any event, I have more layers to try out

[Inspiredcapers]

I’ve been dealing with the same cold snap as you (about two hours North of Whitefish). Figuring out wax has been a little challenging as I’ve found it cold enough a couple of times to make Polar a little too grippy- had to make the wax pocket on my FT 62 way smaller to reduce drag. Yesterday was weird- no wind, lots of sun, still pretty cold. Had to put some green on behind my heels to create some drag on a long section of wind crust (lc is right, these skis don’t like icy conditions), luckily it wore off before I hit powder again. Looking forward to it warming up a bit next week...

[bauerb]

so you must be north of Eureka? there's a windchill advisory today of -55 in the area. I'm going to wait until about noon today when its supposed to be 2-3 degrees. without wind that will be fine for the uphill I have planned. its going to start getting warmer over the next few days and snow again.