Cold cold cold

[Mauleflyer]

I have a trip planned to Stowe latter this week and through Monday. I've skiied some cold weather and can remember one time when Killington shut down the mountain due to dangerous wind chills. What is the criteria that is used to close mountains due to cold temperatures? Since Friday's high is forecasted to be 0 degrees I'm a little concerned

 

[Talisman]

If the the wind isn't over 10 to 15 mph, zero degrees isn't bad if you dress propoerly.

 

[Highway Star]

LOL.....0 Degrees? Maybe in the town of Stowe at mid day.

Top of the mountain should be -15F to -20F, overcast, with 10-15+ mph winds.

Sounds fantastic! Enjoy your trip!

 

[highpeaksdrifter]

It's winter, its suppose to be cold. Just dress, no exposed skin and take frequent breaks.

 

[Mauleflyer]

The trip is planned way ahead of time so there is no backing out. I would if I could.

 

[Geoff]

I don't know where you are getting your weather from but Friday's high at the top of Killington is unlikely to get anything near as high as 0F. Maybe Skyeship base will warm up to 0F but I doubt it. Stowe is the same.

This is the web site I use for Killington and they have Stowe. They say a high of -15F and 15 mph at Stowe. Killington runs a higher lift so they're calling for 20 mph winds. Unless it's a powder day, I may take one run at 9:00 using the K1 just to say I did it and snap a photo of the thermometer at the top.
http://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Stowe/6day/top

We had one that cold this year on Monday December 15th where I saw -15F at the peak at 9:00 and a foot of frozen smoke. I lasted until 11:00. My first run was Escapade/Flume and Flume was wind scoured. Bad choice. Northstar was out of the wind and was really, really good but 2 hours was all I could handle riding the Snowdon quad.

I was dressed for it but I was kind of wishing I'd used Hotronics AND boot gloves; and that I'd added an extra layer on my legs. My thighs were pretty cold and the electric heaters in my boots didn't keep up with the heat loss in the powder. I'll add fleece pants and boot gloves this Friday.

 

[2knees]

some days are just made for alcohol.

 

[Mauleflyer]

Thanks for the link Geoff and yes 2knees that was my thinking although the wife may not be thinking the same way. I will ski unless they shut it down which is what I was really concerned about.

 

[tjf67]

Get feet and hand warmers. They are way cheap at walmarts.
Get a ski mask that covers your face. Dont leave any skin exposed.
Wear like 6 layers
You will be OK.

 

[billski]

I have a trip planned to Stowe latter this week and through Monday. I've skiied some cold weather and can remember one time when Killington shut down the mountain due to dangerous wind chills. What is the criteria that is used to close mountains due to cold temperatures? Since Friday's high is forecasted to be 0 degrees I'm a little concerned

I have never heard of a mountain closing because of temperature. Because of temp-related issues like heat or electric, maybe. I've skied many days where the high is zero but, thank you global warming, not as often any longer. I'm always more concerned about winds. Winds do stop lifts.

BTW, I'll prolly be at Stowe on Friday, me in a yellow parka & black pants (great pic of jacket, but not me) and another fellow with a rust-colored parka, maybe one or two or three other folks, depends who can make it. You may see us slipping in and out of the trees or maybe not.

 

[AMAC2233]

After skiing Dec. 21-23 at Sugarloaf for the first time (a planned trip,) I will never again complain about the cold. None of the 3 days saw air temperatures above 5 degrees. The 22nd was the day of 40" - granted, the best conditions I've ever skiied - but also of -20 degrees at the summit with additional 30-40 MPH winds. Hey, that's how life goes. Sure we were bummed. I had been looking forward to the trip since October.

Dress right, take it slow, and you'll have fun. Now I love to hear everyone bitch about the cold when it's 25 degrees with no wind. You live and you learn.

 

[skiing is life]

remembers folks there no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.

 

[Johnskiismore]

Cold, cold, cold...... good good good

 

[bigbog]

Under 10deg = Boot Glove time....

As will be present on my Wednesday $25 Maine Day up at Sugarloaf(6deg predicted)...the Boot Gloves are terrific under 10degrees. Look pretty funky if not in powder;-)...but at these temps who's looking at your ensemble, at least with them plus my headfleece I'll be warm... As always, the main issue is overheating.
STeveD

 

[billski]

I have one acquaintance, born and lives in in the mountains of Maine, who thinks poorly of anyone who brings up the cold temps. To paraphrase, "That's the way it is , deal with it; no bragging, no complaining."

 

[TheBEast]

I have one acquaintance, born and lives in in the mountains of Maine, who thinks poorly of anyone who brings up the cold temps. To paraphrase, "That's the way it is , deal with it; no bragging, no complaining."

true that!!!

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I have a trip planned to Stowe latter this week and through Monday. I've skiied some cold weather and can remember one time when Killington shut down the mountain due to dangerous wind chills. What is the criteria that is used to close mountains due to cold temperatures? Since Friday's high is forecasted to be 0 degrees I'm a little concerned

I really doubt a high of 0 will shut down Stowe as I've skied there when it was teens below zero at the base and 20s below zero on the upper mountain..I suggest you have a facemask..a doo-rag under your helmet..3-4 layers under your shell..and a baselayer and midlayer under your ski pants..toe warmers might come in handy as well.along with mittons..if you're dressed right, it's just another day on the mountain...if you are underdressed it's gonna suck hardcore..keep your core warm and your extremeties and your head,,and remember..stopping into the lodge for some coffee, tea or hot chocolate is not only good for the local economy but it's a chance to rest up and get hyped to shred the gnar!!!

 

[SKIVT2]

I think if you can fit disposible foot warmers in your boots and they have enough air to heat up then your boots are too big. Hottronics with boot gloves are the way to go in temps that low.

I've skied Sugarbush with air temps in the AM at -26. They would not run the slidebrook under zero. They started it up at noon

 

[KevinF]

I really doubt a high of 0 will shut down Stowe as I've skied there when it was teens below zero at the base and 20s below zero on the upper mountain.

If a high of zero shut down Stowe, they wouldn't be open all that much!

 

[yaraj]

I'm more worried about the winds.

snow-forecast is predicting 30 mph winds for Stratton over the weekend. Is this enough to shut lifts down or what? Being as I've never been to NE I don't know much about these tings and having to shell out for a 5 day lift ticket if the lifts are gonna be shutting down!