Checking on winter stores has been a primary drawback for my LONG Hive, since there is so little room above where the nest may be. Unlike the easy accessibility of the Lang's, I've always feared chilling them so once my Long Hive is put to bed for winter I don't disturb it until we start hitting the 60's.
JP; our 'high' temp should be 32F today ;) Going below zero tommorrow night. Seems we're gonna get a little winter yet.
thomas