MIDDLEFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) — Some Connecticut ski areas closed early Friday and canceled Saturday morning classes because of the extreme cold.

Staff at Powder Ridge Ski Area in Middlefield took advantage of the sudden temperature drop because they are making snow, but the wind will shut down the lifts at 5 p.m. Friday.

Frigid temperatures and wind can be painful for visitors and people working outside, who bundle up to deal with this weather.

“When you’re educated on how to dress properly, and you invest in the proper clothing, these temperatures really aren’t that severe,” said Tom Loring at Powder Ridge Mountain Resort.

“We’re usually staying moving, so you keep your body heat up when you’re moving,” snowboard instructor Andy Scott said. “Once you stop and stand around, then things start to get less fun.”

One of the coldest jobs on the mountain is being a ski lift operator because you have to be out here the whole time helping people get on these chairs. If it’s busy, you are outside a lot. On days like Friday, though, you can pop inside and warm up a little.

“I like to say there’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing choices,” Loring said.

In New Hartford, Ski Sundown closed at 4 p.m. Friday and will reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday. All tickets, lessons, and rental purchases during this period will be refunded automatically.

Mohawk Mountain in Cornwall also closed at 4 p.m. Friday and will reopen at 8 a.m. Saturday.

Mount Southington Ski Area in Southington will close at 5 p.m. Friday and reopen Saturday at 8:30 a.m. Private lessons at 8:30 a.m. and Snow Fox lessons at 9:30 a.m. are canceled. All other programs will continue as scheduled, and any prepaid lessons will be refunded.