Dutch ice experts warn natural ice remains unsafe despite weekend freeze
With temperatures plunging across the Netherlands this weekend, some residents are eyeing local lakes, hoping they might finally offer an ice skating opportunity this winter. Experts, however, caution that natural ice remains largely unsafe.
Jurre Trouw, manager of sport participation and natural ice spokesperson for the Royal Dutch Skaters Association (KNSB), said some artificially flooded rinks built on asphalt or concrete are open, but natural ice on fields and ponds remains far less predictable. “You could have minus 10 degrees, but if there is snow on top, it harms the ice,” Trouw told RTL.
Weeronline reported Saturday that natural ice is not yet safe for skating on lakes because open water needs time to freeze. The weather service said there have not been enough cold nights for bodies of water to freeze solid.
By Sunday morning, however, ice rinks created with pumped water could reopen, Weeronline said, as temperatures are expected to drop regionally to minus 10 degrees. Meteorologists added that skating prematurely on weak ice is unsafe.
IJsmeester Rieks Poelman said safe ice requires specific conditions. “For good ice formation, you need dry frost, little wind, and clear nights. Open water requires about five consecutive days of severe frost, with nighttime temperatures below minus 7 degrees Celsius.” An ijsmeester is a trained ice safety official in the Netherlands who monitors ice quality on natural surfaces and determines whether conditions are safe enough.
Poelman warned that open water remains especially risky. “With the forecast for this weekend and the east wind, I don’t see open water freezing over soon. Even if ice forms under snow, we cannot assess its quality. I wouldn’t go two meters out myself, because I could sink up to my hips.”
Ice safety depends on more than thickness alone. “It strongly depends on the quality of the ice,” Trouw added. “That is why we train ice masters. They can make an informed assessment.” His advice is to skate only where it is permitted. “If you insist on going on unsafe ice, take safety measures: never go alone, bring a rope, a whistle, and dry clothing.”
