I was 8 and the very first place I ever went to skate on wild ice was – my back yard in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ok, is wasn’t totally “wild”. My dad put down a massive sheet of plastic and flooded the back yard. It was a cold winter so we got to skate for weeks – long enough for my sister and I to learn to skate – and grow to love it. But it was wild in that nuts, leaves and twigs would fall, freeze and pepper the once smooth surface and snow further made rough patches. We spent hours on this wild surface, our spectacular outside rink, practically oblivious to the cold and wind. Wild ice is defined by different people in different ways. We’ll talk more about that later as we explore some really amazing destinations where you can discover your place on wild ice.
It was a few years later when we moved to La Campagne, a family ministry we developed, amongst the serene ravines and scenic countryside near Spencer, Indiana. Each winter we eagerly anticipated the pond freezing-over. It was the 1 remaining component needed to fully welcome guests to intentionally designed Christ focused winter getaways. The steep hillside sled run, incredibly quite trail hikes viewing wildlife, and drinking hot cocoa while warming next to the wood burning stove would all lead up to wild ice gatherings that started in the late afternoon and went well into the evening under a spotlight and music echoing through the trees from our home above. As a host to winter travelers for nearly 25 years, I now enjoy discovering and going to cold and snowy destinations for warm conversations, great food, intimate fellowship and … wild ice.
MAP YOUR WAY TO ‘DESTINATION TIME’ WITH GOD AND OTHERS
It’s human nature to want to have a good time when we travel. Songs like All I Wanna Do, Celebration, Happy and I GottaFeeling (these videos are not ‘Christian’ media) illustrate just how good-time focused we are. I get it – I do too. But, Christ-centered travel delivers more. DESTINATION TIME are the unique spiritual experiences and profound spiritual outcomes that God produces when you pursue His generous nature on your travels.
Destination time isn’t just a good experience when you go to some place. It is experiencing the extravagant presence of God in that place.
Destination time is more than, “Let’s eat, drink and be marry” with others. Destination time happens when God produces rich and transformative conversations, compassionate interactions and 1-on-1 encounters where God’s Spirit infuses the moments with understanding, prayer, communion and hope.
Destination time goes beyond executing well-made plans to do activities and see sights. Good quality destination time is produced when you envision, anticipate and facilitate an agenda that fuels spiritual learning and service and eagerly allows for God to craft learning and service opportunities to happen even when that changes your travel plans.
Let’s look at some ways you can go to wild ice places to not just have good times with family and friends but also relish the richness and beauty of destination time.
GREAT PLACES FOR GREAT DESTINATION TIMES
LAKE MOREY, FAIRLEE, VERMONT
If the Northeast United States is a place you’ve never experienced in the winter, then plan now to get to Fairlee, Vermont. This small town has lodging options ranging from the Lake Morey Resort to private lake front cottages. If you plan to travel by air then consider flying into Boston’s Logan International Airport and renting a car for a drive that’ll take you just over 2 hours. We recommend for all winter travel that you bring some food with you so that you can prepare some of your own meals. It’s a good idea to not have to rely entirely on restaurants. Destination time often happens when you opt for more relaxed and intimate meal times that can range from simple to extravagant. There are a couple of churches where you can begin to connect with some of the Christian community in Fairlee. The ice trail on Lake Morey boasts being the longest of it’s kind in the country. So, we recommend it be part of your plans. Allow a generous amount of time to explore as much as makes sense for you. It’s winter, so don’t try to pack too much into your itinerary. In fact, if anything give yourself the gift of rest, Bible reading and reflection.
MULTIPLE LOCATIONS IN ALASKA
If you can budget enough time to go farther then get to the backcountry of Alaska where God has created some breathtaking natural destinations to take your wild ice adventures further. You’ll want to reengineer your travel expectations. Alaska is a more remote environment. There is more nature and fewer roads. Northern lights? Yes. City lights? Not so much – by a lot. Rugged adventures? You betcha. Luxurious comfort? Yeah, you can (try the Alyeska Resort) but typically Alaska is the place to go when you really want to enjoy roughing it – think sleeping in hand built wooden campers, taking a snow mobile miles deep into places rarely seen by humans, ice climbing, dog sledding, and arctic survival and bushcrafting. Depending on how you dial your Alaskan wild ice adventure, ice skates may be the only outdoor tool you need or you may need to get training, pack strategically and hire a survival guide like Creek Stewart, Dr. Palmer aka the Backcountry Professor, or one of the guides at Wilderness Way Adventures.
EVERGREEN LAKE, EVERGREEN, COLORADO OR ALPINE SKATING
Head to the Rocky Mountain Region for wild ice skating that is sure to be all about family. Just 30 minutes from Denver, the town of Evergreen, Colorado can help you make family winter destination times a reality. They have a generous number of places where you can stay, places to eat, things to do, churches where you can fellowship and worship and… yep, once that lake is frozen you’ll have great times out on the wild ice with other families.
Venture beyond the charm of this Colorado town to do more remote Alpine Skating. You’ll need to do your research well as there are typically many wild ice locations where you could go. These kind of more distant and wild spaces truly give you that more alone sense of connection with God. Be sure to check weather forecasts, make travel plans with safety in mind, go with someone and communicate your plans with others. Remember that the skating is only part of the experience and all of the experiences can be Christ-centered. The freedom you feel and the beauty you see can help you discover joy, peace, solitude and more that are truly the very nature of God’s Spirit.
LAKE LOUISE, BANFF NATIONAL PARK, ALBERTA, CANADA
Want to see what a world renowned ice skating destination looks and feels like? Head to Lake Louise in Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. It is considered a top international destination for ice skating. A portion of the ice surface is maintained and the surrounding natural beauty is exceptional. There are many accommodations in the area to meet your specific needs, budget and expectations. The Fairmont Chateau Lake Louise is frequently photographed as the hotel at the edge of the lake. This area is home to Canadian Olympic Speed Skater, Anders Johnson.
If you want to look more closely at how you can share Jesus with others both on and off the ice then take lessons from Anders. Everywhere you go is a place to be the light of Christ. Calvary Chapel Magazine tells of one way Anders does that. They share, “Urging fellow believers—whether in their own church, country, globally, or circle of influence—to stand for truth and righteousness, [Anders Johnson exhorts], ‘When the darkness gets darker, then the light needs to get brighter. We need to stand up and be bright lights, not ashamed of the Gospel.’”
NORDIC SKATING IN NORDIC COUNTRIES
Beyond North America, the Scandinavian countries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, as well as Denmark, Iceland and Greenland are all great destinations for Nordic skating. Wild ice in these countries, as the website All Things Nordic describes, “…is a popular winter activity deeply embedded in the culture of these Nordic countries.”
While travel to Europe is immensely popular during the summer months, wild ice gives you a good reason to go to Europe in winter and practice more intently meditating on God during the long season of Midwinter Light. These cold destinations let you discover a richer appreciation for these regions and the people who live there. Do your research to identify, connect and become friends with Christians in these countries (well in advance of your travel).
SO WHAT EXACTLY IS WILD ICE, IS IT SAFE AND WHAT HAPPENS IF IT BREAKS?
Wild Ice Skating, Alpine Skating, Backcountry Ice Skating, and Nordic Skating. These and other terms are all different (and to some are likely very different from each other). Yet, all of them are in the category of “ice skating outside” and in most cases you can probably use them interchangeably. Regardless of what you call it, make it part of your winter travel plans. Even if all you do is step onto the ice and walk a bit, you’ll discover that walking on frozen water provides a uniquely miraculous experience for your senses, your mindset and your spirit.
One AI assisted definition of Wild Ice is: Wild ice refers to a rare type of ice that forms on lakes when they freeze deeply enough for skating but have not yet been covered by snow. It is characterized by a clear, smooth, and glassy surface, allowing skaters to see into the water below. While this definition is rather specific, it is too narrow for my liking. So, here is my definition: Wild ice is naturally-forming ice outdoors on which you can skate. That may be a bit to broad and inclusive for some but I think it provides you with more options when you travel. When you go somewhere this winter get outside and experience the thrill, beauty, challenges, peace and so much more that can be found when you discover your place with God on wild ice.
Wild ice is naturally-forming ice outdoors on which you can skate.
When is wild ice safe? Well that question has many answers depending on how daring you are. I found one wild ice skater that gets onto ice that is 5cm thick. That is less than 2 inches thick. Places where skating on wild ice is “open to the public” will be regularly measured for a thickness of at least 5-12 inches and will be monitored throughout the season it is open to the public. Obviously businesses, organizations and communities managing wild ice for public use do not want any risk so such places are much more closely controlled for safety.
Wild Ice comes in many forms. There is in fact a wild ice grading system from A to F, each characterized by different qualities to the ice. The A grade of ice is perhaps the most rare and certainly the most desirable. It’s beautiful and beautifully smooth and the environmental conditions and timing make it the kind of ice that may not last for long. More likely you’ll find B and C grade ice.
Whenever you get on wild ice, as with so many other outdoor activities, it is standard safety protocol to always be with 1 or more other people. To get on wild ice that is not managed for the public, it is strongly recommended that you gain experience, knowledge and training for your own personal safety. People who do this kind of ice skating more regularly have and use a wide range of safety gear. They also have learned how to listen to the sound of the ice (an audible way to estimate ice thickness) and to climb out of water when the wild ice breaks.
And don’t forget the skates! Standard figure or hockey skates will work on wild ice. However, nordic skates are longer and allow the heal of your foot to lift. Both of these features are beneficial for touring on longer/rougher stretches of wild ice. Check with skating venues at your destinations in advance of your arrival for skate rental details.
By exercising good wisdom and sound precautions and by preparing well you can enjoy the many grades of wild ice safely like the vast majority of skaters.
READY TO GO AND DISCOVER YOUR PLACE ON WILD ICE?
For many people, winter travel is something they avoid. It can be fraught with delays, frustrations, unique difficulties and the obvious – cold. But, in fact winter can be an exceptional time to travel. And – for the traveler who commits to having Christ at the center of his or her travel lifestyle, the cold season can be filled with experiences, contacts and opportunities that warm the spirit. Much like getting onto wild ice it takes some faith, a desire to explore new things in different ways and the will and vision to discover your place in it.
Featured image at the top of this page by Evergreen Area Chamber of Commerce. Used by permission.
