Tour skating (sometimes known as nordic skating or trip skating) is a recreational form of ice skating on natural ice. It is a popular winter activity in Sweden, Finland and Norway where the skating season can last up to 5-6 months in some areas. Tour skating is also popular in The Netherlands though the climate limits the availability of natural ice. The Netherlands is also the home of Elfstedentocht, a 200 km distance skating race. Long distance races are also organized annually in the Nordic countries, such as Vikingarännet in Sweden.
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Equipment
Tour skates consist of a circa 50cm long blade. They are attached, with bindings, to specialized boots (similar to walking boots) or cross country skiing boots - often with a free heel. Cross country skiing poles can also be used. In addition the following safety equipment is often recommended:
- ice prods or ice claws - a pair of metal spikes with handles (like sharpened screwdrivers) for hauling yourself out of holes in the ice
- ice pike or hansa pole - a pole with a metal spike (like a particularly sturdy ski pole) used to test the ice thickness
- throwing line - a rope to be pulled out of the water by
- rucksack with waistband and groin strap, containing change clothes in plastic bags. This also acts as a buoyancy aid.
Knee and elbow pads and a helmet are also commonly used.
Season
In late autumn/early winter the small lakes freeze first, sometimes as early as October. If snow falls these lakes can become unskateable. Next the somewhat larger lakes freeze and become skateable. In January-February parts of the archipelago in the Baltic sea often freeze. This is the time when long skating tours can be undertaken. Tours of 60-80 km in one day are not uncommon - some skate over 150 km.
Safety
Tours should never be undertaken alone. An experienced skater with good knowledge of natural ice should always be present. If skateable ice is found in April (which is common in Sweden and Finland), it is advisable to skate in the morning only. If the night has been clear and cold the ice can be quite safe in the morning but deadly in the afternoon.
Associations
Sweden's largest tour skating association is The Stockholm Ice Skate Sailing and Touring Club. Finland's largest tour skating association is Finland's Tour Skaters There is a list of tour skating clubs in Sweden, Finland and Netherlands at Skridsko Net
External links in English
- Timo in Finland
- LLK in Sweden
- Jamie Hess in Vermont, USA
- Nordic Skater, USA
- Skyllermarks, Sweden
- Mark Harris, Uppsala, Sweden
- New Horizons, Stockholm, Sweden
Photo Albums of Tour Skating
- (Captions are in Swedish)
- Bo Gustavssons Skating Site
- LLK photo albums
- Maud Robberts photo albums
- Stockholm Outdoor Alliance tour reports with photos
