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Braving the Frigid Temperatures at Elk Mountain

UNION DALE — The wind chill may be below zero, but that doesn’t change things for workers at Elk Mountain. On a cold February day, they were still h...
skipatrol

UNION DALE -- The wind chill may be below zero, but that doesn't change things for workers at Elk Mountain. On a cold February day, they were still hard at work in below zero temperatures.

"We like temperatures generally somewhere between 20-25 degrees are perfect weather conditions. This is on the extreme end. But as you can see people are here. Skiers are hearty," ski instructor Jim Achey said.

Eli Bravo didn't mind braving the cold with his friends.

"It's a little bit chilly out, but the snow is really good. It's a good time," he said.

The wind chill at Elk Mountain is currently 17 degrees below zero. For the people who are working on the slopes, they say it's all about how you dress.

"A lot of thin layers is better than trying to bulk up with one thick layer," Achey said.

On this cold winter day, we tagged along with ski patrol supervisor Bob Bluff.

He's been doing this job for over 40 years and admits these cold conditions bring a few challenges.

"We have to move pretty fast. If somebody goes down we want to get to them to get them warm," Bluff said.

Bluff added there is almost always a windchill on the mountain.

"You do realize when we're heading down the mountain at 15, 20, 25 degrees you've got a windchill all the time," Bluff said.

For the skiers and snowboarders, they were well aware of the colder than normal conditions.

Hunter Zusy says the chilly conditions makes it a little harder going down the slopes.

"It's hard because you have to bundle up. If you don't, it hurts!" Zusy said.

Wind chill temperatures this week will range from the teens to at times 10-15 below zero.

Keep in mind if you are not dressed properly, you can get frostbite in under an hour.

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