Staycation in the Netherlands: skating on natural ice (Paterswoldsemeer, Groningen)

During this spell of frost the Paterswoldsemeer in Groningen has a powerful pull on skating enthusiasts. The recreation area has hectares enough for putting in kilometres. But how good is the ice right now?

Getting on the ice, parking and the crowds

Let us start with the parking. The ice south-west of the city of Groningen enjoys considerable popularity. Which makes finding a parking space a challenge.

• The car park at Strandpaviljoen Paterswoldsemeer was yesterday simply full.
• There were already cars on the camper pitch too. The police stepped in and blocked the entrance.
• After that people could park at De Rietschans.

From De Rietschans you can get straight onto the ice. Note: by midday there is a good chance there is almost nowhere left to park. Come earlier, or risk a fine.

The ice quality at the Paterswoldsemeer

In places the ice has much in common with snow ice. Part of it is white and lumpy. So you have to watch out a little, or rather twice as much, for falls.

The somewhat middling ice quality is quickly forgotten thanks to the atmosphere, the smiling faces and the refreshment stall.

In a time of restrictions from corona measures, the Paterswoldsemeer gives back the ultimate sense of freedom.

Cheerful northerners meet one another on the ice, with little wind and plenty of sun. The conditions here are fantastic.

The ice quality at the Hoornsemeer

But the true skating purist loves ‘black’ ice, of course. A transparent sheet, smoothed like a mirror.

And good news: that ice is there too. Only a little further on. Skate north to the Hoornsemeer. You do not have to walk on your skates, as the two lakes are connected.

Then you enjoy almost unspoilt ice, as black and hard as it gets. One small detail: yesterday the ice was not equally thick everywhere. So it was better to keep moving on this ‘younger’ ice.

Happily it froze well again last night, so that ice should be safer today.