Ice skating in the nippy winter air can be an exhilarating feeling. From Canada to Switzerland, winter chillingly changes lovely lakes into spectacular natural ice rinks. So if outdoor ice skating appeals to you, check out our list of the world’s most beautiful lakes for ice skating.

1.  Lac de Joux, Switzerland

You will find the enormous alpine lake, Lac de Joux, at an altitude of nearly 3,300 feet, in the Jura Mountain Region in Switzerland, not far from the French border. It becomes Europe’s largest natural ice skating rink in the winter. The lake is ringed by a forest that in the colder months has a barren, frost-tinged beauty.

During the peak months of February and March, many visitors come to this special spot in the Jura Mountains. Indeed, the lake is so vast that speed skating here is truly thrilling.

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Lake Morey, USA

Located in the state of Vermont, this lake’s frozen perimeter becomes an icy 4.5-mile expedition. So strap on some Nordic skates–a cross-country ski boot with long metal blades–and get ready to take on the United States’ longest Nordic skating trail. You’ll skate along the edge of a thick forest of birch, maple, and pine trees. Keep an eye out for the local bald eagles perched in the rather bare branches in winter.

The local Lake Morey Resort rents skates, offers lessons, and maintains the trails here.  

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Lake Louise, Canada

Picturesque Lake Louise is nestled in Banff National Park, in Alberta. The best time to enjoy winter activities here is from December to roughly mid-April. The favored Fairmont Chateau hotel’s grounds staff maintains the lake to make sure the frozen surface is safe.

You can even rent ice skates at the lake. Avoid the tourists and hit the ice after dark for a more serene skating experience.  

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The Vermilion Lakes, Canada

While in Alberta’s Banff National Park, why not go west, to this charming chain of lakes famous for its sunsets and sunrises? Lake Louise can be a bit busy during the winter holidays so this peaceful alternative might work better for those seeking some serenity.

Remember though that this terrific trio of lakes isn’t supervised so you’ll need to check the strength and depth of the ice before skating. Luckily, the water is generally little more than knee-deep but there’s no sense in being careless.

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Lake Bogstadvannet, Norway

While there are several lakes in the area, Bogstadvannet is the second largest and most popular for winter skating. It’s located on the forested outskirts of Oslo. Barring truly stormy days, this is where local skaters can be found during what little daylight hours they have during the winter months.

This popular lake is beautifully bordered by Nordic woodlands, and only a 20-minute drive from the heart of the city as well.

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Lake Mälaren, Sweden

Mere minutes from the capital city of Stockholm you can spend days on a cross-country skating adventure via numerous world-class natural ice skating rinks. The Stockholm Archipelago’s waterways and the area lakes make one of the world’s best environments for ice-skating. An hour’s drive from the city, you can skate on the clear black ice of crystal clear Lake Mälaren. It is the fifth-largest lake in Europe covering an area of 440 square miles.

The Mälaren region is both a beautiful and historic place. You can see several monuments from the Imperial Age including the onion-domed Gripsholm Castle while you skate!

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Evergreen Lake, Colorado

This large lake encompasses 40 acres and is surrounded by thickets of ponderosa and lodgepole pine trees that are vibrant and verdant all year–hence the lake’s name. Here visitors can partake in an actual natural ice-skating experience. It is arguably one of the largest groomed outdoor skating rinks in the world.

The locals actually employ a Zamboni to keep the ice usable for the ice hockey teams, and family and friends looking for an enjoyable afternoon skating experience. It’s roughly a 40-minute drive out of Denver. You can rent a pair of ice skates right there or even rent a cabin and stay overnight. 

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Portage Lake, USA

Alaska is perhaps one of the ultimate destinations for backcountry skaters seeking a perfect, pristine expanse of ice. There are various ice caves, frozen rivers, and lagoons in south-central Alaska, but the Portage Lake in the popular Chugach National Forest is a paradise for those looking to skate in the wild. It’s nearly a mile wide and three miles long and is found at the foot of the icy monolith named Portage Glacier. Indeed, if you get tired of ice-skating, you could even ride across this lake on a specially outfitted fat bike, should you so desire.  

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Great Slave Lake, Canada

As you may have already realized, there are a number of different incredible natural ice skating destinations here in Canada. Nevertheless, there are not many more spectacular than the icy Arctic lakes located in the Northwest Territories. The Great Slave Lake is not far from Yellowknife, the regional capital.

It is the world’s tenth-largest lake just 250 miles from the Arctic Circle. Hence you might even get a glimpse of the great shape-shifting lights known as the aurora borealis. Ice skaters use this lake almost half the year. Stop by in late March and attend the much-loved Long John Jamboree, where skate-clad partiers revel one last time prior to the spring melt.

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Lake Baikal, Russia

If you ever get to Siberia, be sure to participate in what some call one of the world’s “most stunning” ice skating experiences. This freshwater lake spans an area of 12,248 square miles. This World Heritage-listed wonder is actually larger than all of Belgium and holds more water than the Great Lakes combined. 

The best time to visit is between the months of November and April when it transforms into the planet’s largest ice skating rink. The ice is, on average, more than a foot thick and is so transparent you can actually see through it into the unfrozen black abyss below.

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Skiing and snowboarding offer adventurous travelers both thrills and stunning locations. North America has an abundance of spectacular spots for these sports. Here are the top 15 skiing and snowboarding resort locations.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

The Jackson Hole ski resort is over half a century old and is still atop spot for both skiing and snowboarding. It is popular for both the level of snowfall there and its challenging terrain. The recent addition of a fast ski lift has also aided in making this place one of the best snowboarding and skiing destinations on the continent.

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Aspen Highlands, Colorado, USA

Aspen Highlands reputedly offers some of the best skiing terrains in the state. Here you find some impressive routes for skiers of all skill levels. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, experienced skier or even snowboarder, this is the place for you. The most beauteous and challenging area is the Highland Bowl. The ski lift network here serves the entire four-mountain area.

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Revelstoke, British Columbia, Canada

Revelstoke is great for snowboarders as well. Here you will find good ski lifts and the official “highest level of vertical descent” on the continent. The 5,620 feet drop is also a favorite of the adventurous. If you would like to get a bird’s eye view of the ski area here prior to hitting the slopes you can take a heli-skiing trip.

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Vail, Colorado, USA

Vail is one of North America’s most well-known and longest-established resorts. In fact, it was specifically was modeled after a Bavarian mountain village ensconced in the highlands of Europe. There are 193 trails available as well as seven official skiing bowls here. If you’re a snowboarder hoping to hone your skills or simply looking to show off you can take advantage of the superpipe.

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Sun Valley, Idaho, USA

Veteran visitors often praise Bald Mountain’s challenging ski slopes, especially the popular 3400-foot vertical drop. They are also generally sheltered from the wind, which makes for a more stable and enjoyable ski area. The adjacent Dollar Mountain features beginner and intermediate ski routes. There are a great terrain park and uphill transporter as well.

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Whistler Blackcomb, British Columbia, Canada

The huge Whistler Blackcomb resort is less than a 2-hour drive from Vancouver. Almost every year it draws the highest amount of winter sports enthusiasts, with more than 2 million visitors during the season. The resort not only has enough ski lifts, restaurants and bars but it also has the longest and highest unsupported cable car span on the planet.

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Stowe, Vermont, USA

Stowe is home to two mountains, Spruce Peak and Mount Mansfield. The resort has a great gondola and ski lifts. Both mountains are linked by the system so transportation from slope to slope is easy.

Intermediate ski routes are also available for skiing and snowboarding. Don’t worry, though, if you’re an expert, they’ve got you covered here too. Luxury accommodations are available.

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Big White, British Columbia, Canada

One of the big attractions at Big White is the popular 2,549-foot vertical drop. It also has several illuminated slopes and is thus Western Canada’s largest night skiing area. The resort features 16 ski lifts. Big White also includes extreme routes for those bored with the expert routes. There’s also a snow tubing course, a terrain park, and wonderful views.

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Taos Ski Valley, New Mexico, USA

This is a nice place to be at any time of the year. In the winter, however, it’s a snow-white paradise perched high up in the mountains. This snow bowl is perfect for experienced skiers. More than half of their 110 trails are officially graded as “expert.” They also have snowmakers on both the beginner and intermediate ski slopes.

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Deer Valley, Utah, USA

This is one of the few US resorts that does not presently permit snowboarding on the ski slopes. They have great snowmaking equipment and the varied slopes are well-maintained. The resort is actually upmarket and luxurious and offers good food and drink to boot. They have everything you need to have a very comfortable stay.

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Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada

The Lake Louise resort has one of the largest ski areas anywhere on the continent. The resort features 145 official marked trails. They welcome visitors of all skill levels from beginner through expert (and snowboarders too.)

There are a number of different off-piste opportunities as well. The resort offers different accommodation options too. Choices range from high-end digs to dorms in the hostel.

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Lake Placid, New York, USA

Situated amidst the awesome Adirondack Mountains, this resort was once host to the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. A great place for winter sports, it includes the highest vertical drop on the east coast and a complete range of routes for all ability levels. The Lake area provides ample opportunities for hiking too. There are several choices of accommodations, bars, and eateries too.

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Monterreal, Mexico

Experts say that the Monterreal is the “only real ski resort” in the country. The best time to visit is in the months of December and January. If there’s not enough actual snow for decent skiing there’s a special dry slope. So, if you are in Mexico and feel the need to ski or snowboard someplace unusual then this is the place.

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Sun Peaks, British Columbia, Canada

Here at Sun Peaks ski routes are flanked by snow-dusted trees. They offer downhill racing areas, good cross country skiing trails, and Nordic skiing too. There is also a good variety of bars, hotels, and restaurants as well. There are even special paths to help visiting skiers get in and out of their various hotels.

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Telluride, Colorado, USA

This mountain resort is perfect for any skier regardless of ability. It includes routes for skiers of varying abilities. It also features a fun, treeless bowl if you really enjoy the powder. The historic locale is perhaps most famous for being the home of the very first bank that the outlaw Butch Cassidy robbed. The village was specifically designed to easily accommodate skiers too.

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