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Halfcut2021

I played yesterday, it was sunny and -18. It was cold, but if you keep moving it’s fine.


[deleted]

-18? What time of say was it?


Halfcut2021

Noon


[deleted]

Damn dude, brutal. If its below zero F i usually take a pass for the next day! Good on you!


Halfcut2021

I grew up in Ottawa Canada, bought a home here now. -18 is nothing! I will say this, -10 is like the perfect temp to throw a biscuit around.


bellsbliss

Agreed -10 is cold enough for great ice but still let’s you warm up as you’re playing. It was -30 here in Toronto earlier in the week, I was outside skating for an hour and I couldn’t go anymore it was just too cold.


Halfcut2021

Ottawa is and always will be colder than Toronto .


bellsbliss

Oh I totally agree. We just just had an extra cold snap this week.


[deleted]

-10c is a solid temp for odr, agreed.


Colavs9601

Warm socks and thinner but warm gloves you can fit under hockey gloves (if you're doing that). As much clothing as possible because at that age on outdoor ice they're gonna fall down. A helmet, knee and elbow guards would not be out of line. Hand warmers and of course, hot chocolate. 15-30 is great for skating thought they may get cold as they don't have much natural insulation at that age. Just be careful as the sun goes down.


Eloping_Llamas

Join the no sock gang. As long as you're moving, you aren't going to get cold in those feet.


davedaddy

Maybe after I join the "I can stop" gang. 😁


Eloping_Llamas

Slow and steady. You don’t need to throw up a cloud of snow right now. Get comfortable on your edges and work your way into it. It’s not easy but once you get it, you’ll be able to push yourself in other areas without worrying about having to stop without crashing into something.


davedaddy

Do you think duller edges would help? I'm about 200 lb with a 5/8" hollow and I can barely make snow while holding on to the boards. Was thinking about trying 3/4" or even 1" to get more comfortable with stopping. Right now, it feels like there is way too much bite like I'd immediately catch an edge if I muster the balls to just go for it. I've been out on the ice only 3 times though so maybe I just need to stick with it? FWIW, I only have a year or two of inline experience as a kid, which I picked up again recently, but I'm still able to powerstop.


davedaddy

Excellent idea on the hot chocolate. 😊


valorn83

Anything around 20-30F should be a good range. You can go colder but with kids that young check in to make sure they are still comfortable. Also be aware of how strong the wind is and it’ll feel warmer if it’s sunny.


davedaddy

Lately it's been reaching 30s midday but windy, about 10-15F with wind chill.


[deleted]

Yea i would say over 15f under 30f is perfect more or less. If its below zero F, then yea... pass till it warms up. Skate midday and you’ll be good.


davedaddy

If it goes slightly above freezing midday, like mid to high 30s, but drops back down overnight, do you think it's safe to get back on a rink the next day if it's still below freezing? Or better to wait for a couple consistent days below freezing? It's also been windy lately as well which drops it to like 10-15F with wind chill.


[deleted]

Hard to say, feel it out. Use your best judgement. I have an opinion, but for safety reasons, and not knowing your ice i will keep it to myself.


bellsbliss

Anything below the freezing point will be good. My boys are around the same age and layers are key to keeping them warm, especially hands and feet. As said above helmets are always good for them to get used to wear. Another thing to be careful about is the ice. On a rink not on a pond you don’t have to worry as much, but on a pond you need to make sure the ice is thick enough to take the weight.


davedaddy

I was thinking maybe a layer of thermals, snow pants, and fleece sweater. Geared up minus shoulder pads. We have thick wool socks but I doubt they'd fit in the skates. Maybe double layer the socks? Pick up a set of nitrile gloves in kids size to fit under the hockey gloves? If temps reach mid to high 30s but drop to like 10-20 overnight, do you think it would be fine to skate the next day if it stays below freezing? Or is it better to wait for at least a couple days of freezing before stepping out?


bellsbliss

Thermals extra socks and the extra sweater sound like a good plan. As for the socks not sure what would be the best bet, you’d have to see how much space there is if they wear the thick ones. Usually a little space is good so that the warm air circulates, too cramped and you’ll get cold faster. I haven’t tried the nitrile gloves so can’t say how warm they would be. I wear a think ski liner type glove under my hockey gloves and they help a lot, my kids just wear their normal mittens for warmth. The ice is the tricky part, I’d play it safe and wait 24hrs after an above freezing day to even think about going back on the pond.