Snow as both ‘jewel’ and ‘devil’ for skating enthusiasts on the Weissensee

Snowfall on the Weissensee is sometimes greeted with cheers, but it depends on the moment. On the one hand the snow makes for a jewel of a backdrop; on the other it works against the growth of the ice.

The Weissensee landscape white again

“This is how beautiful it is on the Weissensee right now”, says Weissensee News on Facebook. The landscape is white again.

The snow comes shortly after the first ice to form in the predicted period. Because of that timing the news may be a little less lovely.

The ‘jewel’ of the Weissensee

Partly thanks to the snow, the Weissensee often has a remarkable scene. With snow-covered mountains and rows of trees around the lake, an almost fairytale setting arises.

The lamps in the villages and by the bridge sparkle beautifully in the winter wonderland. The snow drifts peacefully past the Austrian houses and hotels. By day and by night the nature park is a living painting.

Snow as the absolute jewel of the Weissensee.

The ‘devil’ of the Weissensee

At the same time, badly timed snow can be a ‘devil’ (as in opponent) for skating enthusiasts. Especially when the existing ice is still thin. Because in many cases snow works against the growth of the ice.

The layer of snow has an insulating effect, so the water under the ice barely gets colder, if at all. And so the ice grows more slowly. As though someone had laid down a down duvet. “Differences in the amount of snow therefore produce differences in ice growth”, writes the KNMI.

When you already have a thick layer of ice, that is reasonably fine. You can always sweep a track. But on thin ice the sweepers or sweeping machines cannot get onto it. And skaters certainly cannot. In that scenario a great deal of patience is needed.

Which is why snowfall can produce mixed feelings. Also because under certain conditions snow ice can form: ice with snow baked or caked into it¹. Your blades can simply sink into that. Snow as the opponent.

The ‘guardian angel’

And yet snow can even play a protective role. In a thaw, for instance. In that case the insulating blanket slows the melting instead.

During the day the snow also protects against solar radiation. A large part of that radiation is reflected. That way the ice is not warmed by the sun in the meantime.

Which makes the arrival of the ‘jewel’ something to welcome. At least, once the ice is thick enough to carry sweepers, sweeping machines and skaters.

Then it is swept properly when needed. And sometimes deliberately not swept, when the sun is too fierce. When that moment comes, the skaters may even sing along. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

• Note: a negative travel advisory applies for now; Austria is orange. The Alternative Dutch 11-City Tour is cancelled.

¹ Dohle, M. (2004). Over één nacht ijs. Een schaatsalfabet.