This is a site for ice skaters who gravitate to frozen lakes and ponds instead of indoor rinks. People who prefer fresh air and sunshine over a climate-controlled cavern, who enjoy gliding across a surface that was groomed by Mother Nature instead of a Zamboni, and who would rather catch a glimpse of bald eagles feasting on a deer carcass than spend their day dodging airborne pucks.
Nordic ice skating, also known as cross-country ice skating, takes place outdoors on 100% natural ice, using skates designed for the purpose. Unlike figure and hockey skates, which were intended for use on artificial ice rinks, Nordic skates have detachable boots and long skinny blades that curve up at the tip like skis - a setup that works well on ice surfaces of inconsistent quality.
This site includes recommendations on how to find the right skates and safety equipment; how to test the ice for strength and skateability; how to find an online community of skaters in your area; and a sampling of magazine and newspaper articles and videos from the past two decades. Happy skating!

Above: The original ‘wild skating’ website from 1999