Although today it is snowy and still above zero, the freezing temperatures are in sight! The Swedish weather forecasters predict mid-November will be colder for Dalarna. Being a Dutchie, I automatically feel all excited: when can we skate again!
In Holland, everyone gets Skatingfever when a severe cold is predicted (mostly in February) because it’s rare. This stays in your blood. We even have a word for it in Holland: Elfstedenkoorts, after the Elfstedentocht. The Elfstedentocht is a speed skating competition along all eleven cities in Friesland (in the north of Holland), which can only be held if the ice on the 200-kilometre stretch is thick enough. The last edition of the Elfstedentocht took place in 1997, and many people anxiously await the next one. Every winter, when temperatures approach 0 °C, people in The Netherlands are said to get Elfsteden fever. Speculations about whether or not the Elfstedentocht will be held are a favourite topic of conversation throughout the winter months.
Well, you can already have such a fever in Sweden in November. I have it because this year, I’m determined to try Nordic skating or långfärdsskridskoåkning in Swedish (and not just speak enthusiastically about it). Nordic skating originated in Sweden in the 1900s. It usually involves choosing your tours over the open ice, sometimes in groups, and generally with safety equipment.
Well, if you are inexperienced (like me), you let a guide choose your tour. And I’ll need a guide, safety equipment and special skates. Nordic skates differ significantly from the Dutch tour skates. Nordic tour skates are fitted with a blade approximately 50 cm long and are attached with bindings to specialized boots similar to walking boots or cross-country skiing boots, often with a free heel. Since tour skating often involves walking between lakes or around sections unsuitable for skating, the fact that the blades can be easily removed from the boots is convenient.
In your backpack, you need ice prods or ice claws: a pair of metal spikes with handles like sharpened screwdrivers for hauling yourself out of holes in the ice; an ice-pike or hansa-pole: a pole with a metal spike like a particularly sturdy ski pole used to test the ice thickness; and a throwing line: a rope to be pulled out of the water. Your backpack had to have a waistband and groin strap containing a change of clothes in dry bags. This also acts as a buoyancy aid.
I’m not sure I’ll make this trip. It depends on how soon the snow comes and on the day and time such a trip is made. These last two are not depending on us but on the ice.
If my plan is not met, I’ll try Oresjön this year. After New Year, you can skate 30 km and shorter laps here and in mid-January, usually on Lake Siljan. On the lake Saxviken in Mora, they provide a 3-kilometre ploughed track, too. Orsa-Mora Skating provides the natural ice tracks. Orsa Mora Skating is often on the ice with a van where you can borrow / rent skates. You can also rent your skates at the Kungshaga Hotell. You can find more information at www.idrottonline.se/SFOrsa-MoraSkating-Skridsko. They organize a lot of fun events if the ice is ok. If you want to practice your Dutch, you’ll probably find lots of my countrymen there too.
If you want to skate in a different environment, we always recommend skating on Lake Runn in Falun. Well, I’ll check it out myself this year, but every picture on the web looks good. You’ll find a huge 30 to 50 kilometres long ice track there. Lake Runn is suitable for both novices and ideal for short and long tours. The easiest place to start is in Falun in Främby Udde Resort. Here you can rent skates. On Natuurijswijzer, you’ll find more spots to start, fun events, and all the necessary information on ice skating.
Unspoiled nature, sunlight reflecting on the ice, silence: only scratching of skates, your heartbeat and the sound of the ice that seems to sing around. I will report to you how it was to me. One thing is sure, my fellow Dutch: come to Dalarna if you have enough of the Elfstedenstress and enjoy and hygge at Näsets Marcusgård afterwards!