Ice-skating on a frozen peat bog

Since the last two videos I’ve posted, yesterday afternoon and this morning, both dealt with cold, icy conditions, why not make it a threefer?

The De Weerribben-Wieden National Park in the Netherlands is the largest bog in north-western Europe.  It was used for peat production before the Second World War.  This has left large segments of open, very shallow water throughout the bog.  Naturally, these freeze over in cold winters, offering wonderful opportunities for long-distance ice skating.

Here are some Dutch skaters taking full advantage of this year’s cold weather.  Watch the video in full-screen mode for best results.

Beautiful scenery!  It looks like they’re having a great time.  Personally, I think I’d prefer to stay warmer than that . . .

Peter

4 comments

  1. They do this in Ottawa when the Rideau Canal freezes in winter-miles and miles of windswept skating rink.

    If there's no wind, you're working so hard that overheating is actually more danger than cold – til you stop!

    THEN better have warm clothes handy.

  2. I see an open water section off to the side. No obvious reason for that, which makes me a bit nervous about trusting the rest of that ice. When pond skating back east (PA), you expect thin ice at typical areas, like outflows, etc.

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