I've had a long love/hate relationship with skating. Started many years ago when the local Gansevoort gang of underaged hoodlums would clear off some farm pond to hang out, start a bonfire and enjoy an illicit beer that someone had filched from their parents frig. Problem was, most of us were so poor that we just had a rag tag collection of hand-me-down skates. My old pair fit so tight that it was an excruciating ordeal to wear them. Cold, sore feet pretty much sapped all the fun out of the day to the point where I eventually just slid around the ice in my barn boots during our free-for-all hockey games (worn out brooms for sticks and a frozen cow pie for a puck).
That's why seeing a recent Facebook Reel from Small Axe Farm felt like an epiphany. It follows a skater on clear, black Lake George ice as he makes his way past shoreline and islands in the south basin and on up into the narrows. This is the skating I've always dreamed of. None of the violence of hockey, the convoluted intricacy of figure or the go go of speed skating. Just seemingly effortless gliding for mile after mile. Indeed, watching the video it would seem that Lake George end to end would be a matter of a few hours.
Viewing the various reels on their page it seems that they have been skating since late October, starting with small, high elevation ponds. This is called Nordic Skating and uses a long bladed skate, some of which seem to attach to cross-country type boots. Some other equipment to consider would be ice picks, probes and poles, helmet and padding and a pack. Even completely outfitted it is a relatively cheap sport compared to downhill skiing and not even close to snowmobiling. More on equipment and technique here.
Of course, the big consideration is getting the right conditions. This year seems golden. Some recent years the big lakes haven't even frozen over and other times they will be covered with snow making them more suitable for X-C skiing. The other point is to find experienced people to go with. Obviously, falling thru the ice is deadly serious, so never go alone and learn from those who know more than you.
I don't know if this link to the Small Axe Farm's Facebook page works but I hope you can find it to enjoy the exhilarating videos. Till then here's a link to Dire Straits Skateaway. It's not nordic skating but Roller Girl is fun to watch and the guitar isn't bad either.
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