This paper investigates the effect of the formation of ice on the sliding surfaces of sliding isolators exposed to low temperatures on the coefficient of friction. In the experimental campaign, a full-scale sliding isolator is subjected to displacement-controlled cyclic motions after exposure to different temperatures (20, 0 and 20 °C) for different durations (3, 12 and 24 hrs). Tests were repeated for several normal stresses (40, 60 and 80 MPa) and maximum loading velocities (250, 500 and 750 mm/s). Force-displacement curves obtained from the tests were used to calculate static and dynamic friction coefficients. The tests show that exposure to low temperature leads to formation of an ice layer on the sliding surfaces which behaves as a lubricant. Thus, static friction coefficient decreases with respect to the value obtained at ambient temperature.Such a conclusion is contrary to the bounding analysis design approach of isolation systems where the low temperature exposure is assumed to be considered as an upper bound condition. Test results indicate that low temperature exposure is a phenomenon that should be considered as a part of lower bound analysis.