Skiing after Dark?

[Young-Grizz]

Hey everyone!

I’m sure just like many of you I’m not so patiently waiting for more snow here in NH. Last year I was working nights, so I had every morning free. The COVID situation has my winter schedule looking more like 9-5 (which I can’t say I’m happy about).

So my question is what are people’s experience and advice with skiing in the dark?

Thanks,

Grizz

[athabascae]

Its amazing. Some initial thoughts:

a) Safety first. Bring a pack with emergency gear and clothing. You don't need much, but carry some essentials including means to start a fire, something to bivy in, and a GPS and cell phone (if in range). Let someone know where you are going and when you will be back. If possible, find a ski partner.

b) Chose safe routes. Stick to well traveled trails when in the forest, better yet those you know already like the back of your hand. Or stay on lakes, sticking very close to shore and watching ahead for black areas which may be open water.

c) Petzel Swift RL (and an old or cheap headlamp in your backpack as a backup).

d) Watch for curious foxes, coyotes or wolves following you. Magic.

e) Turn your headlamp OFF when the moon is bright. More Magic.

Welcome to the dark side.

[joeatomictoad]

I spent a lot of my teenage years, and early 20's, "resort" night skiing in southern New England. My two cents: (1) Much cheaper. (2) Shorter lift lines. Less rat race. (3) Clear or yellow goggles are your friend. (4) Ice skiing confidence can increase.

If you're talking about backcountry at night, I have no experience with this. Maybe put some red filters over the lamp/torch lenses to maintain night vision. At night I tend to look for trails, not by looking down, but by looking up, by sighting the clearing of silhouetted treetops when compared to the night sky. Night vision important for this style of navigation. After being dazzled by a naked light, can take 10-15 minutes to regain full night vision.

[Andinista]

Night skiing in a resort and skiing in the dark are different things. Skiing in the dark without illumination is a real pain. Probably better with a good head lamp, not sure, I didn't have one that time that I returned later than expected...

[Telerock]

Night skiing in the woods...BRING GOGGLES OR PROTECTIVE (OSHA) glasses. A twig in the eye is a common feature of night skiing.

[Woodserson]

Night skiing in the woods...BRING GOGGLES OR PROTECTIVE (OSHA) glasses. A twig in the eye is a common feature of night skiing.

This. I do this in the day now, too. I wear Dewalt safety glasses, cheaper than "XC SKI" specific glasses. Beech Tree buds specifically, are demons. Do this now.

I night XC ski frequently. Usually stick to lakes or more open trails. Often without a headlight if on the lakes. The ambient light can be fantastic, especially with a moon or high overcast. Really top notch, some of my favorite skiing. If you start to warm up well enough you can strip down and ski naked without fear.

[1EyedJack]

Skiing in the dark is awesome. And ice skating too. Especial in open country.
My most amazing time was snow spring camping in the Marble Mtns in the State of Jefferson (Western Northern California). We camped in a cirque with a frozen lake and great skiing corn snow in the day. One night we were treated to Snow Thunder that echoed in the cirque. We put on our skis, lighted up by the lightning.

[bobbytooslow]

As an avid dawn patroller, I can tell you that the Coast FL85R is the headlamp you want. 700 lumens, small red led for ascending, big buttons you can squeeze with mittens, and no annoying overhead strap. And it's $60 from Home Depot.

https://coastportland.com/products/fl85r

[bauerb]

I 2nd the safety glasses. the other day I was trail running in the day time and got a pricker bush raked across my face...some nice blood as a result from cuts to my nose next to my eye. normally I would be wearing sunglasses but the trail was too dark.

[trinacu]

I am only getting into XC as of recently, but I have cycled a couple thousand kilometers and you can find "fake" cycling goggles for about ~10% of the price of the original (oakley?) which I have seen people (on the internet, though) take to an optician and check the polarization and UV blocking and they seemed fine. I don't know about XC specific goggles but I reckon the requirements can't differ that much from cycling? For a couple dozen €/$ you can get a fake with a few lenses (dark, lighter, clear) so maybe check that out?