Being active on the ice always involves some risks, but having the right equipment and following a few basic rules ensures that skating is a safe hobby.
Skating on natural ice is very much a coastal activity. Variations in the weather means that ice conditions change throughout the winter, but hikers who are alert and able to react quickly can always find ice to skate. Small lakes at higher elevations usually freeze first. During favourable autumns, larger lakes and rivers can also freeze before the snow arrives.
As winter progresses, the more sheltered bays in sea areas also begin to freeze. Although it may snow from time to time, the sea freezes in zones and new smooth ice can always be found farther out. However, skating on the sea requires the most experience, which means ice-reading skills and, above all, safe equipment.
Equipment
Nordic skating requires special steel skating blades. These are attached to sturdy hiking shoes, telemark boots or freestyle cross-country ski boots. Choose the binding according to the type of shoe you are using. Skates can also be rented, for example, from outdoor recreation centres maintained by the Suomen Latu association.
Select clothing that is appropriate for the weather. It’s worth remembering that even a light breeze feels cold on the open ice, so windproof clothing is necessary.
A Nordic skater must always have the following equipment:
- Ice pole: If you stab a steel-tipped pole into the ice and it goes through, you know that the ice is too thin.
- Ice picks: Carry these around your neck so that they are ready for use. If the ice breaks, ice picks help you pull yourself back onto the ice.
- A change of clothing in a waterproof backpack: The backpack serves as a floatation device if you fall into the water. After changing into dry clothing (at least underwear, windproof trousers and jacket, socks, hat and gloves) packed in a waterproof manner, you can continue your journey.
- Snacks and a warm drink: These provide energy and warmth in unexpected situations and make for a wonderful rest break.
- Throw rope or rescue line: Each group should have several throw ropes. One end of the rope is attached to the lap belt of your backpack.
The following equipment may also be useful:
- Knee pads and a helmet: Skaters may be moving quite fast in good conditions, which means that falling can have serious consequences.
- A spare blade: Skating can take you long distances, and walking on the slippery ice in ski boots can be frustrating if you break a blade or binding.
Never go skating alone, always with a friend or in a group. Skating in single file is the safest and most sensible way to travel. In that case, the leader tests the ice and breaks the wind.
Tour skating
Tour skating means skating on ice tracks ploughed on natural ice or on artificial ice skating tracks. The growing popularity of Nordic skating in Finland means that more skating tracks are now being ploughed on inland lakes. Ranging in length from a few kilometres to 20 kilometres, skating tracks maintained by municipalities and nature tourism companies can – depending on the winter – be found in at least the following lakes: Bodomjärvi in Espoo, Jyväsjärvi in Jyväskylä, Tuusulanjärvi in Järvenpää, Vesijärvi in Lahti, Saimaa in Rantasalmi, and Näsijärvi in Tampere.
Tour skating offers a good opportunity to practise Nordic skating or a good way to get some exercise. You need less equipment on a maintained skating track: skates, appropriate outdoor clothing and ice picks are sufficient.