This article was created by National Geographic Traveler (UK).
As temperatures drop and waterways freeze, outdoor adventurers lace up their skates and search for the perfect ice skating spot. Finding the perfect spot for wild skating or Nordic skating, which involves skating outdoors on naturally formed ice, can be a challenge. Ice must be clean, smooth, topped with snow, and thick enough to safely skate (usually at least 4 inches). Remember to never skate alone, wear appropriate clothing, and stay reasonably close to shore. Here are some destinations around the world where you can experience the thrill of wild ice skating.
When it comes to ice skating, Sweden is one of the best places in Europe for those who can tolerate icy conditions. Photo by Nicholas Ahonen, Getty Images
Lake Mälaren is a popular destination for experienced self-guided skaters on the outskirts of Stockholm. Photo by Henrik Tryg, Getty Images
1. Sweden
Widely known as one of the best places for wild skating, Sweden is home to a variety of glassy frozen lakes suitable for skaters of all levels. If you can handle the harsh temperatures, take a chance and get close to the Arctic Circle. There, you might be able to witness the shimmering green and blue hues of the Northern Lights.
If you're not ready to venture to the North Pole, you can go wild skating just 30 miles outside the capital, Stockholm. Lake Mälaren freezes over between November and April. Travelers can self-guide or book a tour through Green Trails, one of several companies offering guided skating tours around Sweden's frozen lakes. Prices start from 1,650 Swedish krona (£120).
(Ice skate under the Northern Lights in Sweden's Arctic Circle.)
Lake Joux is located on the French border, about an hour by train from Lausanne, and is hailed as Europe's largest free natural ice skating rink. This allows skaters to float along an endless frozen lake surrounded by the towering Jura Mountains. Ice skates are available for rental right on the lake, and hot food and drinks are sold on the ice on weekends.
About six miles long and just over half a mile wide, Lake Jew begins to freeze around mid-December, freezes completely by February, and typically remains solid until the end of March.
Five hours from New York City and just two hours from Montreal, Lake Placid's Mirror Lake is especially great for novice skaters looking for a laid-back, peaceful setting. The host town of two Winter Olympics allows visitors to skate 24 hours a day, seven days a week on the two-mile-long ice track once it reaches a safe thickness, usually around mid-December.
While you're here, venture outside the area and explore one of the other 3,000 lakes and ponds hidden in the Adirondack Mountains. Skaters can guide at their own pace, but those who want to experience more structured hiking and snow sports can book through Guide ADK. Tours start from $200 (£164).
(7 wild ice skating destinations in North America).
The valleys of the Rocky Mountains offer breathtaking ice skating locations, and the views alone are worth the trek. Photo: Rick Rowan
Immerse yourself in the wild Canadian Rockies as you circle along one of several lakes in Banff National Park. Panoramic views of snow-capped mountains are just one of the many reasons to visit Banff in the winter. The best conditions for wild skating are in the winter months, around December, before snow begins to cover the ice, making it difficult to skate freely on the frozen lake.
Lake Louise, about a two-hour drive from Calgary, is by far the most popular lake for ice skaters, but 40 Mile Creek to Vermilion Lakes, Two Jack Lake, and Lake Minnewanka are other notable options. Banff Adventures is one of several providers offering winter experience packages from $104 (£85).
Skaters, curlers and ice hockey players are all invited to explore Pond Fie in northern Italy during the winter. Italy's small lakes are the perfect spot for those who want a leisurely skate without having to worry about straying too far from land. Surrounded by fir trees and towering mountain peaks, Fier Pond is one of the only ponds in the area that is plowed during the winter.
Skate rentals are available on site. The rental hut also offers food and drinks to enjoy after a long day of skating. Tours of Pond Fie are not available, but visitors wanting to experience more of Italy's Dolomites can book an eight-day guided tour of the area from £1,009 through Exodus Adventure Travels.
Snow-covered waters can be difficult to skate, so conditions are best after a series of cold, sunny days with no rain. Photo provided by: CoolbieRe
Lake Akan in Hokkaido welcomes skaters from mid-January once the lake is completely frozen. This wooded lake, a four-hour drive from Sapporo, is in the heart of Akan-Mashu National Park and offers views of several stratovolcanoes, including Mt. Meakendake.
By early February, the lake transforms into an “Icelandic Akan,” offering activities such as snowmobiling and ice fishing. G-Adventures offers Japanese island hopping trips that take you from Tokyo to Sapporo and even Lake Akan. Tours start from around £3,699 and run all year round.
(Alternative winter experiences, from ice climbing in Italy to camping in Finland.)
