There are few things that transport me back in time like ice skating. The exhilaration and feeling of utter freedom I got as a kid at my local rink is one I’ve sought out in outdoor activities as an adult, even while my skates collect dust in the garage. So when I saw some videos online of skaters gliding across wild ice in front of picture-perfect alpine vistas, I was entranced.
“Wild ice” is just what it sounds like: any naturally-formed, skateable ice outside of the confines of rinks and manicured ponds. Alpine lakes, where temperatures drop early and stay cold, are prime destinations.
“Every time I go out I feel like I’m dancing. It’s given me the chance to reconnect with my inner child in a way I never thought I would,” says Vanessa Chavarriaga Posada, outdoor athlete, environmental sociologist, and former figure skater. “I feel like a real live ice princess now.” Read more…