The do’s and don’ts of long-time tradition and sport wild ice skating on surrounding Alpine lakes and ponds. 

What appears as just another one of many small lakes or ponds in Tahoe, will eventually turn into some people’s favorite spot come the winter season. Wild ice skating, or nordic skating, is a sport, art, and science all in one that was invented several thousand years ago. The first ice skaters didn’t have expensive skates or fancy rinks, they skated on naturally frozen bodies of water with “skates” made from the shin bones of large animals. As time has gone on, our society has taken on ice skating as a joyful past time and has come to understand the dangers of the sport thus creating safe ice rinks where no one has to worry about falling through the ice and humans of all ages can participate. But what about those who still want to enjoy the freedom and beauty of how it all began? There is still a community of people who decide they’re brave enough to take the risk, find frozen bodies of water, slip their feet into skates and twirl around with nothing but the great outdoors surrounding them. 

There are many factors to consider when deciding if a location is fit for ice skating. Bigger lakes like Tahoe or Donner are in a cold enough climate where one might assume they’d freeze over but even if ice does form on their surfaces, it is hardly ever thick enough to skate on because of how deep the water is. Smaller bodies of water such as ponds and alpine lakes are more ideal for this activity. Tahoe and the surrounding area has many locations that could create perfect conditions. Though the condition of the lake, ice, and weather are absolutely important, some would argue that there is no such thing as safe ice, only safe skaters. Let’s dive into safety first. 

Safety Precautions

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One of the most important things anybody, newbie or not, can do is never go alone. Expecting the unexpected and planning ahead includes having a buddy and informing others of where you’ll be in case of an emergency. 

Wearing proper gear is also a must. A life jacket or preserver is the number one piece of gear that should be required. A lot of things will happen to a human’s body, and all at once, should they fall into freezing water. It will go into shock from the temperature and hypothermia could take only moments to set in causing shivering and loss of mobility. Once submerged in frigid water the nervous system also reacts and the immediate response for a human in a life-threatening situation is to panic, understandably. In this specific instance, panicking would cause accelerated heart rate, drop in body temperature, and hyperventilation, or gasping for air. All of which will make it even harder to get out of the water and back onto the ice. Without a life preserver, keeping the body afloat and preventing drowning would be an added concern that could create an instantaneous life or death situation. Wear a life jacket. Some might even opt in for a helmet. 

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The next pieces of safety equipment are ice picks and a throw rope. Both are absolutely necessary. Ice picks are the fastest, easiest, and most reliable way for an individual to rescue themselves after falling in. The ice picks hang around the skaters neck for easy access. Should someone need them, they grab the picks, stab them into the ice and use them as a sturdy and tractioned way to climb out. Rope is helpful should someone need to pull someone else out. 

Warm clothes are also a must. Keeping your body temperature regulated is key to healthy circulation and proper physical ability while performing any activity. It’s a smart idea to bring extra layers like hats/beanies, gloves, scarves, socks, thermals/long johns, etc . It’s better to have too much and be able to add than being cold and not having anything. Wild ice skaters should also bring a whole extra change of clothes. This way they have dry clothes for the way home, or in the event they fall in, they have a fast-acting solution to dry off and warm up their body.  

Ice Facts

Let’s focus on the ice next. Ice should be AT LEAST 4 inches thick but preferably more.. There are many ways to check how thick the ice is. ALWAYS check the ice first and for yourself. Even if there are people already on the ice, never ever assume it is safe and trust that they tested it. It is also important to check the ice in multiple locations because the thickness will vary across the surface of water. And never judge the thickness by how easy it is to break through the ice because it’s easier than someone would think and overestimation is highly possible. 

Ice Thickness Test Methods:

• Ice auger: drill (available in hand, electric, or gas) used to create a hole that will then need to be measured with a tape measure
• Cordless drill: wood auger that tends to be lighter and work faster than an ice auger. This drill has tape markings on the bit in inches allowing for quick measuring of the thickness of ice but a separate tape measure put down the hole will be most accurate. 
• Ice screw: some come with a built-in crank to help screw into the ice easily and quickly. These come in a variety of lengths but should also be paired with a tape measure stuck down the hole. 
• Ice chisel (spud): a metal bar (making this a less than ideal option if carrying far distances) with a chisel on one side to dig into the ice and chop through it
• Test pole: long wooden poles with a nail on the end to stab into the ice. 

**These should only be used by experienced wild ice skaters as they are not exact measurements!**

The color of the ice is another factor to consider. Clear ice, otherwise known as black ice, is the desired color and consistency/transparency of ice. It may appear clear blue as well depending on the cleanliness and depth of the water. Clear black or blue is the strongest because it was formed while the water was initially freezing. White or opaque ice is weaker because it was formed during the initial freezing of the ice, experienced some melting, then froze again. This is normally caused by slightly warmed temperatures before dropping degrees again or from snow falling on the surface adding a layer. Grey, mottled, bubbly, and/or cloudy ice is the weakest of them all because it is formed as the ice begins to break down and is normally found late in the season, sometimes right before the ice is set to melt completely.

When measuring the ice, the consistency of the ice should be the same through all 4 or more inches being measured. This means there should be at least 4 inches of clear blue/black ice ONLY. If there are 3 inches of blue/black and 1 of white, the ice is not safe to be on. A helpful saying to make this easy to remember is “thick and blue, tried and true, white and crispy, way too risky.”

When to Go?

Skating conditions change by the hour, with the season, and because of the weather. The conditions are ever fluctuating so no two experiences will ever be the same. It is generally better to go in the beginning of the coldest part of the season. Making your way to the ice after the first longer period of freezing temperatures will make for the best ice because it wont have had the chance to melt at all yet. This minimizes the chance for weaker ice. This would allow for a smoother skate as well. Every time the surface melts and refreezes is the opportunity for bumps, cracks, divots, debris, etc. As winter continues and cycles of warming happen, the authenticity of the ice diminishes. It is also ideal to go in the morning because even if it’s cold outside, the sun shining on the ice all day will cause melting. Soft ice can cause your skate to sink in and get stuck at the very least. But it can also lead to the ice weakening and even breaking. 

Where?

While this is nowhere near a new sport, the community is still pretty small and undeveloped. Because of this, a lot of people with experience may share how their skating goes but not where it happens. Basic research will bring up a number of locations all known for wild ice skating. Each has its own lists of risks that the skater will be responsible for comparing. What can be said is that any area up for consideration needs to be a smaller lake or pond in the High Sierras where freezing temperatures and skating conditions have a better chance of maintaining consistency. Two locations that are very well-known in the area and by locals are Sawmill Pond and Caples Lake. 

How to self-rescue:

While search and rescue or other emergency crews exist, most of the time it will be up to the skater to save themselves as the crews would take much too long to get there. No one knows this lesson more than someone who has experienced this very situation. Laura Kottlowski began wild ice skating when she was just 6 years old. She skated off and on throughout her life but has skated consistently for the past 17 years. When an emergency event happened, it called on her self-rescue training and knowledge to help get herself and others out. Having the right gear and being familiar with it,  knowing the safety steps and understanding your body is key to self-rescue. It’s easier said than done, but the best thing to do immediately after falling in is stay calm and use slow calculated movements to retain body heat and have clear problem solving skills. 

• Remain upright in the water. Leaning forward on your belly even, if possible. 
• Get your arms over the top of the ice back in the direction you came from because you know the ice you were just on before falling is thick enough to hold you. The same cannot be guaranteed in the direction you were skating in. 

• When getting back onto the ice, don’t try to lift yourself up, instead, kick or pull yourself horizontally onto the ice surface. This method is easier and reduces the risk of further breaking the ice. 
• Once on the ice, roll or slide across the surface back in the direction you came. These methods compared to walking or kneeling will spread out your weight and decrease the chance you will break back through the ice. 

Because of the incident Kottlowski endured, she now feels that it’s her responsibility to communicate the dangers alongside inspiring the beauty of the sport. “This isn’t going to go away. Especially with social media. People don’t communicate the ice safety side of things. I have a duty to educate,” Kottlowski explained. 

Kottlowski uses her social media account @laurakottlowski and @learntoskateoutside to further educate and teach the basics of wild ice skating, ice science, and safety. She is even developing an online class so future skaters will have all the information they need before they even leave their home. 

While the sport can be extremely dangerous, it is also wildly beautiful. “Turning people away from outdoor wild ice skating is turning people away from the roots of ice skating. I love wild ice skating because it’s the roots. When you find pristine wild ice in an amazing location, it’s unlike anything else in the world. It’s freedom in its most pure experience. It’s endless joy, euphoria, and smiles on faces. When you are gliding along the ice, it’s magical,” Kottlowski continues, “It’s about you in nature. It’s about exploration. It shows you unique things you never would’ve seen otherwise.”

Reminders:

• Never go alone
• No one is an expert or can guarantee a safe experience. With that being said, learn from people with a lot of experience. Like @learntoskateoutside on Instagram or other groups 
• Obey signage
• Be familiar with the gear you may need to use 
• Check the ice in multiple locations 
• Don’t go on ice that has been through multiple freeze-thaw cycles
• Be aware of the sounds the water and ice make (a lot of people really enjoy the sounds and think they’re a beautiful addition to the nature aspect of the experience comparing them to the clapping sounds of thunder or whales singing
• Be realistic with what your body can handle. Know how strong you are. Can you punch through ice? Can you pull yourself up out of the water? Know how comfortable you are with cold water. (Try cold plunges and train your body first to test it)
• Everything that factors into wild ice skating is unpredictable and can change in an instant

Other options:

Knowing all of this, maybe it sounds like something for another time. That’s okay! Here’s a list of places to go ice skating in Tahoe on maintained, safe, and festive rinks.

• Heavenly Village Ice Rink
• Edgewood on Ice
• South Lake Tahoe Ice Arena 
• Hyatt Resort at Squaw Creek Ice Rink
• Village Ice Rink at Kirkwood 
• Northstar California Ice Rink
• Tahoe City Winter Sports Park Ice Rink
• Truckee-Donner Recreation & Park District Ice Rink

This activity can be extremely dangerous. Be prepared, be aware, and be safe. Wild ice skaters are responsible for preparing themselves for any and all events that may happen on the ice. Skate at your own risk!

Editor’s note: This article originally appeared in the Winter 2024 edition of Tahoe Magazine.