Latest posts for the topic "What Temperature is Dangerous?"

What Temperature is Dangerous?

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:30:24 GMT

Off to St Anton next week and was horrified to see weather forecasts suggesting temperatures as low as -45c with wind chill :evil:

I presume at some temperature, the risk of frostbite or frostnip becomes much more real. Can anybody shed some light on the temperature that we should watch out for and take extra precautions?

Any other tips regarding extremely low temperatures also welcome?

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 17:47:45 GMT

I've skied in low temps over the last two winters. Ends of fingers can split, so good gloves and some Nutrogena Hand Cream are essential for me. A balaclava is a must, with goggles.

Before Christmas met a guy from Zurich who had frostbite on his face. He was skiing in shades in still air temps of -25 ish, add on wind chill and skier speed to that. His pals thought it was quite funny.

Tried a face mask in Zermatt, could not get on with it at all :roll: Made my goggles steam up!

Watch each other's faces closely, any white bloodless patches, go inside immediately.

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:57:17 GMT

Make sure that you take a break in the warm every couple of hours or so. Beware bright conditions, as the sun can make your exterior feel warm even as your core temperature steadily declines. Be careful about long excursions where there's group pressure to press on without a break. Let the others press on and don't hesitate to take a break just because others in your group want to get somewhere.

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 09:28:27 GMT

We've skied when it's pretty cold. I suggest you stay lower down, on the tree-lined runs, in the sun if possible. And avoid going on chair lifts exposed to the wind. I'm sure the resort will take a few precautions at these sort of temperatures as well, to protect their customers. And if you ask around, in the tourist office for example, I'm sure they'll tell you which runs to avoid, depending on the wind direction, altitude, and aspect.

A few years ago we were ski-ing in Val Thorens and they shut one of the chair lifts because it was too cold up there (-18 I think). You really don't want to be stuck on a chair lift at very low temperatures. Drag lifts, or gondolas, are better.

Another tip is to put your goggles on as soon as you get outside. I've had mine freeze up on the inside when they were round my neck. And my instructor said the only thing I could do about that was to put them inside my jacket until they thawed out.

And as for hand cream, I use the hemp hand protector from the Body Shop, which smells awful, but does a great job on extremely dry skin.

Ally

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:06:30 GMT

It was -20 at Le Corbier last week. 3 hrs was enough for me ....really cold fingers and toes. Returned to the hotel for a couple of hours to thaw out and then went back for the last 1.5 hours to finish the day. My advice is check what temps are expected and as soon as you begin to feel cold take a break and warm up....after all you are on holiday and meant to be having fun!! :lol:

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:11:38 GMT

I skied in -25c in Val Thorens and yes it was cold!
I think that temp in St Anton would be top of mountain overnight, it was -37c when we were there but never anywhere near that cold in the day, averaging around -8c most days.

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 10:44:42 GMT

IMHO Wanderer will have no problems with the cold - whatever it goes down to.
For the simple reason there is already awareness and questionning. And hence caution, reason and taking precautions will happen.
It is those who think that skiing high in cold weather is safe and friendly and .......... who have the problems.
I got frost nip on my cheek once, as it thawed it was the most excruciating pain I think I have ever experienced! My error was to ski a long vertical drop without stopping just to get to where I had to go as quickly as possible and get in the warm.

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:20:32 GMT

Grow a beard ...... it's good enough for those polar explorers :D

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:45:30 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:Grow a beard ...... it's good enough for those polar explorers :D

And oh so attractive with frozen snot in it.... :D

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 11:54:40 GMT

"Grow a beard ...... it's good enough for those polar explorers"

Think bandit may have a problem!..I hope

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:18:04 GMT

bald-eagleman wrote:"Grow a beard ...... it's good enough for those polar explorers"

Think bandit may have a problem!..I hope

You are now on my Xmas Card List :D

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:18:23 GMT

As somebody mentioned earlier, it's not just cold temps but the combination of cold and wind. -20 and still is probably better than -10 in a storm. Add to this the likelihood that, in a storm, it will take longer to find your way down to the nearest refuge, and it's a recipe for frostbite.

Weather in the mountains changes very quickly, so you need to be prepared.

Apart from the risk of frostbite. It's just not much fun.

Zermatt was between -15 and -26 the week of the 12th. We had to stop every 2 runs to warm up with some ridiculously overpriced drinks. My girlfriend has wind burn on her face from one run from the top of the Klein Matterhorn area. This was a result of a tiny gap between her goggles and her face mask. It was -26 but very windy. Not much fun.

Also, when the snow becomes really cold (-30'ish and below) it can feel like skiing in sand. You can find cold weather wax specifically designed for low temps, which aims to reduce this feeling.

I would be surprised if they run any lifts below -40c.

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:30:54 GMT

bandit wrote:I've skied in low temps over the last two winters. Ends of fingers can split, so good gloves and some Nutrogena Hand Cream are essential for me. A balaclava is a must, with goggles.

Before Christmas met a guy from Zurich who had frostbite on his face. He was skiing in shades in still air temps of -25 ish, add on wind chill and skier speed to that. His pals thought it was quite funny.

Tried a face mask in Zermatt, could not get on with it at all :roll: Made my goggles steam up!

Watch each other's faces closely, any white bloodless patches, go inside immediately.

Something I have found works reasonably with face masks is to have a separate scarf for my neck and then ware the face mask with the bottom part loose over my chin. The idea is that it encourages the 'exhaust' from my breath to go down and out of the bottom of the loose face mask rather than up through the eye hole(s) to steam up my goggles.

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 12:41:55 GMT

With the wind chill added on, plus the skier's speed, this is cold enough to cause damage. The top lift is open.

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Wed, 29 Dec 2010 19:12:43 GMT

Im skiing St Anton/Lech/Zurs next week - from what I can see the lowest daytime temp is -24 (-31 with wind chill) on Monday afternoon. I was there 10 days ago in similar temps and it was not a problem - it was only really cold at the top in the strong wind - dont hang around at the top...

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 00:54:28 GMT

I find that in most conditions -20C is the temp to note. Wind, bright sun, or humidity will raise or lower comfort the level, but that's the temp I start to really take some extra precautions. Wind chill factored temps of maybe -25C to -30C is when it becomes essential to cover exposed skin. It may seem silly, but this when good venting on jackets and pants becomes important, as it allows you to wear enough to be safe, but keep cool if you are working hard. You never know if you might be stuck on a chair lift for an hour, exposed to the wind, or have to stand around for a long time if there is an accident.

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Thu, 30 Dec 2010 01:18:13 GMT

bald-eagleman wrote:"Grow a beard ...... it's good enough for those polar explorers"

Think bandit may have a problem!..I hope

Did you not know that Bandit was in ZZ Top :D :D

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Sun, 2 Jan 2011 13:13:58 GMT

Ian Wickham wrote:

bald-eagleman wrote:"Grow a beard ...... it's good enough for those polar explorers"

Think bandit may have a problem!..I hope

Did you not know that Bandit was in ZZ Top :D :D

At a Gig following a hard day on the hill :-

:lol:

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Sun, 2 Jan 2011 16:57:07 GMT

Be careful boys...you have got to remember that bandits have guns and you two are looking right down the barrel !!

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Sun, 2 Jan 2011 16:58:52 GMT

bald-eagleman wrote:Be careful boys...you have got to remember that bandits have guns and you two are looking right down the barrel !!

:lol: :lol:

Re:What Temperature is Dangerous?

Sun, 2 Jan 2011 21:40:47 GMT

:lol: :lol: :(