How cold do you like it?

Hi,

I have just been checking the forecast for Isola 2000 (Southern French Alps - I,m off there on te 9th Jan)and was surprised to see the max temperatures quoted for Sat/Sun & Monday afternoon of this next week are -17, -12 & -10 respectively.

Is this unusually cold? I had heard the resort was meant to be "cold" however I assummed it wouldn't be any colder than any of the previous ski trips I've enjoyed.

Thanks

It depends what level these are being estimated at. I was in Sauze 2 years ago and it was showing as -10 with a wind chill taking it down to -19. I didnt feel THAT cold but it was certainly not warm!
In resort we were having to wear ski jackets all the time.

I like it in Jan when its crystal clear on a sunny day with a twinkle in the air due to the cold, where you can almost see crystals floating. Something like minus 6-10 probably.

I also like it in spring when its cold overnight but getting up to around 0 in the sun or warmer during the day.

I was in VT when it was -25 a while back and that was seriously cold when you went up on the chairlifts.

In Morillon a few years back we experienced our lowest ski temps which was -23 day time, once you got skiing you were fine but the chair lifts were bitter cold, thats when I brought one of those ski buff things.

The colder the better for me. Skiied in -40 (that's including wind chill) in both the US and France. Went out one evening in Tignes a few years ago and it was -25. I think you get to a certain temperature and it all feels the same. ie you can't actually feel anything.

I've skiied in -22c in Tignes and -25c in the Sella Ronda.

Prefer just under freezing so the snow stays perfect.

Hmmm I skied in minus 30 something in Tremblant a couple of years ago, and it was so cold I couldn't do more than 1 run without going in for a warm. And my thumbs were numb, even with handwarmers. Not fun.

Minus 5-10 is good.

It depends on the weather. I have had days when it was -26 in the car park at the bottom of the mountain and it felt ok due to sunshine, and days when it was around zero and it felt way colder due to being in the clouds.

Temperatures like that are not unusual. This week in Zurich the warmest midday temperature was something like -2, in the mountains that's going to be a lot colder. Bring plenty of layers and it will be all good.

All depends what area you are in as well, stayed in a draughty cabin in -12 here last year and nearly died. -12 in the right location can be 'warm', especially with the sun hitting your back!