Kaiserwetter that counts, with the Weissensee ice up to 55 cm thick
The term Kaiserwetter applies to the Weissensee this winter more than ever. And that with no organised tours taking place. Anyone skating under their own steam is very lucky indeed.
What Kaiserwetter means
In Austria they speak of Kaiserwetter when the sun is shining strongly. And when there is little wind. The clear sky turns blue, at a temperature that is pleasant for winter sports.
- Taken fairly literally, Kaiserwetter means ‘emperor's weather’, imperial weather. That is what they called perfect conditions on the birthday of the former Austrian emperor Franz Joseph.
- A German emperor, Wilhelm II, is linked to the term as well. The weather was apparently always miraculously fine when he attended outdoor events. Or was he clever enough to turn up only in fine weather?
Either way, the Austrian Weissensee is known for Kaiserwetter. And this ice season so much so that even the experienced ice team is impressed.
Prolonged Kaiserwetter: a remarkable winter on the Weissensee
“This winter is remarkable”, says Bernhard Jank (natureislauf.at). “Since the season began in mid-December the sun has shone on the Weissensee from early till late every day, apart from a few days with snowfall.”
The ice team's spokesman also points to the immense ice thickness. “The ice on the western part is more than 50 cm thick. The eastern part has been skateable for weeks. A very remarkable winter.”
The ice data shows an exact thickness of 55 cm on the west part and 22 cm on the east part.
The Weissensee ice thickness in the 2021/2022 season so far
Date the ice data was consulted – measured ice thickness
- 15 February 2022 – 55 cm west, 22 cm east
- 3 February 2022 – 40 cm west, 16 cm east
- 20 January 2022 – 35 cm west, 13 cm east
- 10 January 2022 – 35 cm west, 7 cm east
- 30 December 2021 – 30 cm west
- 24 December 2021 – 25 cm west
- 23 December 2021 – 20 cm west
- 22 December 2021 – 18 cm west
- 19 December 2021 – 15 cm west
- 13 December 2021 – 6 cm west
An ice thickness of around 40 cm is fairly normal for the Weissensee, as it happens. Other frozen mountain lakes see similar thicknesses, on the Reschensee and the Haidersee.
The Kaiserwetter, on the other hand, is a little more exclusive to the Weissensee. The sun shines just as readily on those other Italian lakes, but the wind blows there more often and harder.
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Magical ice between the mountains. Oases that are a feast for the eyes under the sun. Team dionvacation is made up of recreational skaters and sun lovers, people who savour life. We share that zest for life from the Weissensee all the way to the Catalan coast. The holiday home ‘Vida Daurada’ (the golden life) suits that lifestyle, between mountains and sea. All articles are written by our own travel editors. Vida Daurada sponsors the Sun destination section.