There's no doubt that physically working, defined as expending energy
to perform a function, when the ambient conditions include extreme
thermal deprivation. i.e. freezing yer butt off...., plus carrying additional
weight, above and beyond what you are normally accustomed to in the
function, i.e. several different and extra layers, enough extra weight
to make a difference at the end of the day, plus trying to control more
lateral grip force than you have been able to make so far this season,
i.e. centrifugal force thats trying to compress you to the ground with every
turn, but is too much fun to stop....
... takes a lot outa' ya...
For one thing.... try a sitting position against a wall, without a seat.
Most people will be unable to continue beyond a few minutes...
try a few hours....
For another thing, try holding a 3 pound weight at arms length for 2
or 3 hours, almost no one can do it, but all the extra layers add up over
the extremities of arms and legs that get moved and outstretched
for however long your Ski day is....
Then, pretend to enjoy Freezing, Isometrics, and Weight Lifting....
...All at once, for a few hours.....
Tremblant Alpine Snow Sport Athletes do that all the time.!!!
...and We Love it!
But Man 'O Man... it does take a lot out of you... so when we got
back to home base Apres Ski, a quick "Power Nap" turned into 3 hours....
Hence the late night Apres Ski....
Here's a one pic summary... Versant Nord, The North Side....
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- 1.22.13.Expo.Versant.Nord.c.jpg (258.7 KiB) Viewed 2711 times
it snowed a lot, and up on the Mountain it may still be snowing now,
as it certainly did just about all day. So, that's why this pic...
it shows accumulated Snow Fall.
Here's a one pic summary for Versant Sud, The South Side....
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- 1.22.13.Johannsen.South.Base.b.jpg (222.26 KiB) Viewed 2711 times
but the surfaces were, for the most part, virtually flawless.
Everything we have said about the surface quality carries forward.
The Skiing is exceptionally fine.
Everything we said about freezing yer butt off, is great material for
"Hero" Apres Ski stories at Le Shack over some kind of hot beverage....
Everything we say about it being a great day at Tremblant is completely
and very subjectively, the absolute truth as far as we're concerned.
If you doubt us, come and find out for yourself, we'll bet ya' a couple
bucks they won't be able to get the frozen grin off your face either....
We love Winter... and like fine Champagne, we think the best snow
is served well chilled.
Grab all your layers and hit the road for Tremblant as soon as you can,
but be prepared to share your own Frozen Hero stories Apres Ski at Le Shack.
------------------ 5:59 A.M. Orig. Post ------------------
69(*) Open Trails on the very Winter, Very Cool, Slopes of Tremblant.
At this time, it's -24 C, so actually warmer by a couple
than was previously expected, but the rise to the daytime high
projected at -18C, is not all that much, so apparently, that
"Stable" Arctic Air Mass, has "Stabilized" itself directly overhead.
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- 1.21.13.Summit.Versant.Nord.Chilly.Very.Winter.jpg (340.69 KiB) Viewed 2961 times
If you're on your way from a warm climate of any sort,
and you have not yet experienced what some Canadians
might call a "Deep Freeze", then you need to know that
absolute cold can be adapted to with very basic techniques
and you will come to appreciate the magnificent natural
beauty this scene represents, without harm or excessive
discomfort, not to mention the unique, excellent Skiing
and Boarding that awaits your enjoyment.
Kool Weather Caveat:
Frequent Flier Skiers And Snowboarders alike collect a selection of
layers over time to accommodate the range of temps they experience,
nothing new in that, and completely understandable. This is the type
of weather that calls for either all or most of those layers at once,
and/or the acquisition of additional layers to handle a new or not-yet
experienced low temp ranges. Before you go out in this, or perhaps
more importantly, if you're taking Kids out in this, make sure you
consult with anyone you know that has the experience. We're all
inclined to try to "Make Do" with whatever we have, but for both safety,
and comfort, please be cautious and over-dress.
Tremblant Regulars can skim through this, but if you're a new Tremblant
Fan, you'll want to know...
The next few days are going to require Cold adaptive dress codes.
Moisture wicking base layers of underwear with a proper Ski or Board
thermal Sock that overlaps leggings well up to the knee are critical
followed by either one very heavily insulated pant layer or a couple
of lighter inside/outside pant layers. Similar above the waist, but there
you can also add fleece layers, such as a Vest or stacked sweaters
or fleeces that you might use as single layers at other times, like spring,
to build up to a thickness appropriate for the day.
Below: This Boarder is Setting up to depart from the Summit at the top
of La Crete/Beauchemin against a backdrop of Snowmaking. The nice long
sleeves with plenty of length for extension are great, as is the hood.
Yesterday, we wrote about using a double XL Wind Shell over this type of
Parka for extra and we can tell you from personal experimentation, adding
such a shell works X 10.Plus on Core comfort for very low cost. You can
spend as much as you want, but we've seen them at Thrift Shops, Discount
stores on sale for under $20.00 and you'll have it forever for these extremes.
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- 1.21.13.Summit.Snowmaking.Departure.jpg (239.49 KiB) Viewed 2961 times
Without adequate Body Core Layers, hands and feet will definitely suffer
discomfort. Extremities radiate heat off fairly quickly, so if that Core Body
temp of your torso can not be very well insulated, the cooling radiation has
no reserve to draw from for replenishment. Even so, hands in particular
want and need not only efficient insulation(at these temps many choose Mitts)
but just as importantly, well secured overlaps on the wrist. Overlapping wrist
protection can make your whole day a lot easier and in our observation, it is
one of the most poorly, commonly, and improperly done cold weather
adaptations. Any portion of bare wrist, any portion of uninsulated wrists,
bleed off heat very quickly and fingers will feel it, or loose feeling very quickly.
Gloves or Mitts with long overlapping gauntlets are your best friend
on any Alpine Ski or Board activity in any temps, 'cause they keep snow out
in case of fall, but especially cold ones, 'cause they keep heat in too.
Head and Neck...
Firstly, Tremblant360.com recommends Helmet use at all times(Spend
the extra few bucks to get an adjustable vent model for Spring comfort).
They're warmer too, so that helps now, but just below, the neckline is the
second most poorly insulated or overlapped area of sensitivity, particularly
when you are leaning forward with an airspeed of 15-20 KMPH with -20 C
finding it's way through every gap as you cruise down any descent.
Neoprene Type Face Mask... Essential.
Multiple neck warmers, the inside one a form fitting stretch wool blend, outer
fleece, plus rolled up collars, zipped up collars, all contribute towards sealing
in heat and preventing cold air migration into your core.
In this case you have to be careful to not wear any hood too loose.
A "Too Loose" hood acts like a wind scoop to funnel cold air around
your neck and down your back. This is particularly critical with Kids.
No Hood is way better than a loose Hood, because any funnel effect
at the air-speeds Skiers and Boarders travel at completely negates
any benefit, and even worse, speeds up cold air ingress to your upper
torso.
Follow these and any other practical Cold Adaptations you already know
for maximized comfort and utility to enjoy Tremblant in any weather!
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- 1.21.13.Cool.Day.Cool.Gondola.Views.c.jpg (410 KiB) Viewed 2960 times
on groomed surfaces at Tremblant this season. This is not an assessment
we make lightly, and it is an assessment we make from personal experience.
All the restoration work preformed and ongoing by Tremblant Mountain Crews
over the last week paid off in big time spades yesterday, partially facilitated
by the exceptional dryness of the very cold natural, blown and groomed snow.
Below: Snowmaking at these temps produces a very fine, dry particle
and Mountain Crews are "Banking" production for the extended durability
of the season later on. Care for Slow Speed and Vision in these zones is required.
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- 1.21.13.Beauvallon.Haut.Upper.Fine.Snowmaking.d.jpg (338.08 KiB) Viewed 2934 times
we Skied.
Perfect? ...no, there are a few icy substrate parts, but very few, and with
tuned gear, you will not be affected at all. If you have dull edges for any
reason, you will occasionally notice these slick bits, but even then, most
of the surfaces are very forgiving with a generous shred depth to cut into
with any carving technique. Skidded, parallel turns are as easy as ever
and the surfaces are very nicely loose on top layers for side-slipping
anywhere you need to.
Pay Close Attention To This:
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- 1.21.13.P'tit.Bonheur.Carve.This.Last.Run.b.jpg (319.63 KiB) Viewed 2937 times
all day at Tremblant if you have the Muscle to do it.
Amazingly, these fabulous Super-Carves were made at Last Run
on P'tit Bonheur, but they were just as easy, just as much fun
and superbly smooth on any Open Groomed Terrain at Tremblant.
Yesterday's Apres Ski asked a Multiple Choice Question...
(you can use the "Previous Topic" button, upper screen right
to go back and review it.) ...but the bottom line on Tremblant is....
You'd be a Lunatic to miss these extraordinarily fine Ski Board
Conditions if you could choose to come, and be dressed for them.
- www.tremblant360.com photo. All rights reserved.
- 1.21.13.Moon.Over.Summit.Kandahar.jpg (407.35 KiB) Viewed 2937 times
Extended Weather Forecast: For Best Results... wear lot's of Layers...
- Screenshot Courtesy of The Weather Network.
- Screen Shot 2013-01-22 at 8.08.05 AM.jpg (86.44 KiB) Viewed 2937 times
Trail and Grooming Status Report, Courtesy of Tremblant.ca
- Screenshot of the Official, Downloadable, PDF,
Trail and Grooming Status Report, Courtesy of Tremblant.ca - Screen Shot 2013-01-22 at 8.08.58 AM.jpg (224.07 KiB) Viewed 2937 times
is rewarded with extraordinary Skiing and Boarding.
Chilly, to be sure, but very, very fine Snow Surfaces.
Links and not-so-fine print:
http://www.tremblant.ca
http://www.tremblant.ca/mountain/winter ... port-e.htm
(*)
Understanding Trail Counts - http://alturl.com/n54py http://www.tremblant.ca/mountain/trailmap-e.htm
http://www.tremblant.ca/galleries/webcams/index-e.htm
http://translate.google.com/translate_t ... =fr&tl=en#
http://www.theweathernetwork.com/weather/CAQC0360
Forum Index: http://alturl.com/r4cco
Bring Back The Memories... 
Research Future Visits... If you would like to look up dates you visited Tremblant, or you
want to research days/weeks/months to visit, you can sample what
they look like historically, month by month, year by year.
GoTo: Archive, Search Reports by Date: Index: http://tinyurl.com/yktelmu
When reviewing dates from any of the past, numbered, archived pages,
you can use the "Previous Topic" or "Next Topic" buttons, located
screen far right, in upper date/message bar to scroll through sequential
dates, or use your browsers "back" button to stay on the selected index
page for non-sequential date reviews in either forward or reverse order.
There are approximately 6, 25 day Index pages per season.
(
If you "Bookmark" the link above, it will always take you to theFirst index page with the latest posts. That gives you an immediate,
current to 25 day past, review scroll of Winter Alpine Conditions by
consecutive date.)
.