How cold is too cold?

RXN

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What's others deem as too cold to ride? I'm one of them guys that have been out in -40 before and have been frost bitten from it, but I'd do it again. I just stay in the trees and dress warmer.

Seems that guys I used to ride with at -20 to -30 all seem to flake out at those temps. Maybe age is just setting in. Or we're all getting soft and too spoiled.


Anyways, how cold is too cold that you'll cancel a trip?
 

LUCKY 7

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I was out in -38 before but I was about 20 year younger than I am today and now that I think back maybe a bit brain dead.
What's others deem as too cold to ride? I'm one of them guys that have been out in -40 before and have been frost bitten from it, but I'd do it again. I just stay in the trees and dress warmer.

Seems that guys I used to ride with at -20 to -30 all seem to flake out at those temps. Maybe age is just setting in. Or we're all getting soft and too spoiled.


Anyways, how cold is too cold that you'll cancel a trip?
 

ferniesnow

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I am a wussy and I don't usually ride below -20C anymore. I know that where I live, I can usually wait a couple of days and it will be warmer.

In my younger years, it didn't matter as long as the sled started ( I have ridden in below -40 temps). But those days are long passed....:d
 

teeroy

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after experiencing inversion, I've never cancelled a mountain trip due to cold or not rode while there. -35 is the coldest I've rode, in Chetwynd. woke up to -34 in Valemount once, up at the Allen cabin was -5

around home cutoff for me is -20
 
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rsaint

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after experiencing inversion, I've never cancelled a mountain trip due to cold or not rode while there. -35 is the coldest I've rode, in Chetwynd. woke up to -34 in Valemount once, up at the Allen cabin was -5

around home cutoff for me is -20
That is always not true left home at -35 and got to Allen parking lot and was -30 hell of a time getting sleds going had a PSI 1150 at that time got to cabin and was -25 turned around after warmed up hot tub all evening got up next day same thing but not all trips are like that. My limit is -20 also.
 

teeroy

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That is always not true left home at -35 and got to Allen parking lot and was -30 hell of a time getting sleds going had a PSI 1150 at that time got to cabin and was -25 turned around after warmed up hot tub all evening got up next day same thing but not all trips are like that. My limit is -20 also.
I'm not saying it's always like that, but I'm not taking a chance after driving all that way. I've also ridden up and it's been colder more times than it's been warmer, those days we just turn around and head down. but a guy would be kicking his own ass if you didn't ride and find out later it was bluebird and decent up top.
 

Bisch

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-15 will cause me to reconsider, won't ride if colder than -20.
 

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We cancled this weekends trip to revy cause of the cold. If were gonna drive 12hrs I dont wanna ride in -20 deg temps. There is always another weekend that will be warmer and hopefully fresh snow :)
 

rsaint

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I'm not saying it's always like that, but I'm not taking a chance after driving all that way. I've also ridden up and it's been colder more times than it's been warmer, those days we just turn around and head down. but a guy would be kicking his own ass if you didn't ride and find out later it was bluebird and decent up top.
Im with u the reason we tried that day was thinking the same but got burned that day and the next also.
 

rsaint

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In my younger day nothing would stop me. just put on an extra couple layers. now I am a -20 guy too
Yep in the younger days 40+ years ago they would shut the schools down and jump on the old 399 nodic and buddy on his 400 skiroule and ride all day with a grin now not even that cold and in the house typing on how it used to be.
 

BRENNO1981

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I will have to agree with the general consensus and say -20 would be max around home in the prairies. If I had travelled a 8 + hours to ride out west, I would layer up and go for it.
 

SavageCanuck

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-20 for me as well anything below and its just not fun anymore.I have postponed my late season bow hunting here as -13 putting around on quad with no windshield is not much fun
 

whoDEANie

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-25 is my cut off. After that it starts getting dangerous, if you have a wreck or brake down.
I'm surprised more people don't feel the same way. How many people would feel comfortable sleeping on the mountain overnight at -25 waiting for a rescue?
 

sledneck_03

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polaris sled book states wind chill at different speeds. 70 mph at -40 would be not worth it at all.
 

Polar_RMK

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I 've driving -40 in Norway.
However, you need to be specially prepared for riding in such low extreme temperatures.
First of all there should be no naked skin exposed to the air. Many people don't realize that for example modular bombardier helmet has a gap between jaw and upper part. After riding i got kinda "beard" - horrible frostbite. We need a thin balaclava overlapping all gaps. Cheap chinise synthetic thermo underwear doesn't work in such temp, you need good wool underwear. Not sure if you can get in in Canada.
I have noticed any extra activity under such weather conditions for example digging out a sled is quite a bit of troubles.
Because we need more air to breath, and balaclava is an obstacle
 

JungleJim

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I'm with WhoDeanie! -20 C is fine assuming all is well and you don't break down or have someone get hurt. When $hit happens the colder it is the smaller the window you have to deal with it. Spent 3 1/2 days unplanned back in the mountains with the temps between - 15 C and - 8 C. Cold and hungry sucks compared to warm and comfy with a Crown & Diet by a fireplace indoors! We cancelled our trip this weekend for that exact reason and will go next weekend instead...
 
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